Julian Baggini, a well renowned philosopher and author of numerous inspiring philosophical books, including ‘The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten and 99 Other Thought Experiments’, came to Burgess Hill School for Girls on June 16^th to lecture on his books and other philosophical issues. Year 10-13 students from the School and from schools all across Sussex; including Downlands, Oakmeeds, Roedean, St. Paul’s, Towers and Warden Park attended. When Mr. Baggini was introduced, no one was quite sure what to expect from the eminent theorist. His lecture centred on the morality of our treatment of animals, and the questions raised, in both a theological and a Darwinian sense, by this subject.

Julian Baggini later explained it was his aim to encourage young adults to think more deeply about their actions and question their convictions. He clarified that the purpose of his lecture was not, in fact, to convert listeners into vegetarians or vegans, more to encourage us to question beliefs we may have held for years without ever giving a reasoned argument as to why we held them.

All in all, his lecture did exactly what his book suggested it might – it provoked deeper thinking on the part of all the audience as well as being a very entertaining afternoon for all involved.

Written by Alexandra Cook, Lower Sixth student

15/07/08

Julian Baggini answering some questions from students