The Whitworthian

Issue date: 12/4/07 Last Updated: 12/18/07

Philosophy candidate Justin McBrayer discussed the problems that arise when we meet people whose beliefs contradict our own. He said these problems become more difficult the more we think those people have good reasons for believing what they do.

McBrayer lectured Nov. 27 to an audience of about 20 students and faculty, mostly from the theology and philosophy departments.

McBrayer used a thermometer as an analogy. If someone gets a temperature reading on a room, that person feels justified in believing the room is that temperature. However, if the person finds another thermometer and it gives a wildly different reading, that belief becomes a little more shaky, McBrayer said.

“Our awareness of disagreement often affects the propriety of some of our cognitive states,” he said.

McBrayer discussed how awareness of different religions that disagree with a person's beliefs makes what he or she believes unjustified.

“Disagreement serves as an undercutter for your beliefs,” he said.

In other words, disagreement makes people less confident about their beliefs, but does not usually disprove them, McBrayer said.

Professor of philosophy Forrest Baird said McBrayer is a candidate to fill a philosophy department position vacated by former philosophy professor Rebecca Rice.

“At this point we have two candidates,” Baird said.

He said there may also be a third candidate.

Baird said Whitworth will select an applicant earlier than other universities.

“We simply moved up the entire timeline and began earlier than most philosophy programs do,” Baird said. “However, we are taking the same total time as we would with a later decision date.”

Baird said the early timeline would not cause a rushed decision, but may give Whitworth a jump on the competition.

“We probably will decide before the end of the year,” he said.

Baird said McBrayer received his bachelor's from Berry College in Georgia, his master's from University of Montana and is finishing his Ph.D at University of Missouri.

Contact Grady Locklear at grady.locklear@whitworthian.com.

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