Monday 7th April - 07:20 PM BST
The Limits of Absence
Why nothing is impossible
From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of "nothing" is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of “nothing” is even more bewildering than we might first imagine. Parmenides argued that non-being is impossible because thinking about nothing is still something. And science seems not to have located it.
Join philosopher Peter van Inwagen in this exploration of the metaphysics of 'nothing'., as he argues that 'nothing' nothing is an impossible state.
After the talk, there will be a short Q and A session where you can pose any of your burning questions.
Big ideas in your inbox.
Updates from the world's greatest minds - plus offers and discounts.
Peter van Inwagen
Established Philosopher
Peter van Inwagen is a philosopher and professor at the University of Notre Dame and Duke University. Van Inwagen is a leading philosopher in contemporary metaphysics, philosophy of religion and philosophy of action.
Van Inwagen pioneered ideas in the philosophy of free will, in particular his defence that free will is not compatible with determinism. He is a former President of the Central Division of the American Philosophical Association and has delivered lecture series on his work over the years at many prestigious universities including Oxford University, Princeton, and St Andrews.