Dean of the College and Philosophy Program Present

Beyond the Self: Imagination, Buddhism, and the Ethics of Empathy

When you imagine something, are you yourself present in some way, in that imaginative episode? This talk explores whether imagination necessarily includes a “self”, and what this means for empathy, ethics, and self-transformation. While some argue that some acts of imagination involve, at most, a thin sense of self, others suggest that a thicker self, shaped by personal values and emotions, also permeates imagination. This raises profound questions: Can we ever imagine neutrally, without bias? Can we truly empathize with others, or are we always imagining ourselves in their place? By blending philosophical analysis with insights from psychology, this talk invites us to rethink the nature of imagination, empathy, and the self.

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For more information, call 845-758-7667, or e-mail [email protected].

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EST/GMT-5

Location: Hegeman 204A

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