The Chair of Harvard’s Astronomy Department, Avi Loeb, has recently argued in a leading astrophysics journal that Oumuamua, the first interstellar object ever detected passing through the Solar System, may best be explained as a probe from an alien civilization. How likely is it that Loeb was right? How can we assess the likelihood that we are alone in the galaxy or wider universe? What would be the philosophical implications either way? Should we expect extra-terrestrial life to have any significant similarities with terrestrial life? In this talk, we explore answers to these and related questions relevant to the species-defining issue of whether we are alone in the universe.

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Drop-in event. No ticket required, just show up!

• Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30

About the speaker:
Dr John Donaldson teaches philosophy at the University of Glasgow. His main research interests are in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn’t end up in anyone’s pocket – it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield.

Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users.