O'Hara Public Lecture in Philosophy of Physics
Thinking outside the container: spacetime philosophy for a new physics
Abstract:
The idea of space as the stage on which physical events play out dates at least as far back as the 5th century BC. The twentieth century saw a shift from theorising about space and time separately to thinking about spacetime, but the metaphor of spacetime as a stage or arena has continued. Twenty-first century physics looks likely to render this untenable – theories of quantum gravity do not appear to postulate spacetime as a fundamental container for physical contents. This talk examines an alternative way of thinking about spacetime based on the role that it plays in our physical theories – spacetime philosophy should focus on what spacetime does, rather than what it is.
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Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Kane Hall (KNE). Campus room: 110. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Fire Humanities | Panel Discussion and Storytelling
Registration required.
Doors open at 6pm, light refreshments served
What does it mean to live well as wildfire and smoke season becomes more a part of life in the Pacific Northwest and many other places around the world?
As much as we focus on preparedness and reducing materials that fuel wildfires, we must also reckon with the human dimensions of fire, which shape how we interact with it. “Fire Humanities” is a book project and an emerging field of study that draws on the humanities and arts to center stories, representations, collaborations, and values that promote adaptation, resilience, and justice as we adapt to a world with more fire.
This program will feature a panel discussion with five contributors to the book, who will share their approaches to this emerging field of research. After the panel, you’ll be invited to share your stories of fire and smoke with each other, speak with the panelists, and participate in hands-on activities connected to the Fire Humanities project.
This event is free and…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Burke Memorial-Washington State Museum (BRK). Accessibility Contact: Simpson Center for the Humanities, 206-543-3920, humanities@uw.edu. Event Types: Workshops. Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
For more info visit www.burkemuseum.org. Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Savery Hall 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Philosophy of Policing Workshop Keynote
Title: Protest Policing in a Divided Executive
Abstract: Recent interior immigration enforcement campaigns in majority Democratic cities have prompted clashes between protestors and federal and local police, raising a neglected problem in the philosophy of policing: how should local police respond when federal enforcement generates protest? I approach this question using the June 2025 Los Angeles protests as a case study. I argue that the LAPD inherited the moral
objections to federal enforcement and violated rule of law and proportionality principles. Instead, in line with the fiduciary nature of policing, the LAPD should have prioritized its legitimate enforcement goals and taken a position of accommodative management to the anti-ICE demonstrations. The broader lesson is that, in a divided executive, local police should specialize in their enforcement priorities, accommodate legitimate protest, and refuse to become instruments of unjust federal policing.
Jake Monaghan
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Uni…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Savery Hall (SAV). Campus room: 264. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars. Workshops.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Savery Hall 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Virtual Colloquium - Morgan Thompson
More details TBA.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Friday, May 15, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
Memorial Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Spring. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, May 25, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Department of Philosophy Awards Ceremony
More details TBD.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Savery Hall (SAV). Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Ceremonies.
Thursday, May 28, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Program on Ethics Workshop
More details TBA.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Conferences.
Monday, June 1, 2026, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Savery Hall 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Department of Philosophy Graduation
Details TBD.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Intellectual House (INT). Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Ceremonies.
Monday, June 8, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Savery Hall (SAV). Campus room: 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Juneteenth
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Summer. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, June 19, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Independence Day (Observed)
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Summer. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, July 3, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Savery Hall (SAV). Campus room: 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Departmental Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Savery Hall (SAV). Campus room: 408. Accessibility Contact: Liam Blakey. Event Types: Meetings.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.