Brexit Without the Bull | Sunday 15th September
Revealed: how Brexit will change Britain. As Gavin Esler explains, from the food markets of Kent to NHS operating theatres to the boardrooms of big employers, Brexit throws up many surprises.
Past Events › Thinking on Sunday
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Thinking on Sunday was launched as a new series of events with different themes to the Sunday Lectures. These interesting and stimulating sessions have a talk or presentation followed by Q&A, debate and discussion. The speakers are experts in their field, and/or have a passion for subject. Especially popular with our ethical society members, Thinking on Sunday is open to the public and promises to motivate and nourish the mind!
September 2019
Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined | Sunday 29th September
From Blurred Lines to gang signs, how does society cause toxic masculinity? But what is masculinity? Dominating the world around us, from Trump’s twitter outbursts to deadly gun violence, from male suicide rates to incels on Reddit and 4chan, masculinity is perceived to be ‘toxic’, ‘fragile’ and ‘in crisis’.
October 2019
In Praise of Walking: The New Science of how we Walk and why it’s Good for us | Sunday 13th October
Walking upright on two feet is a uniquely human skill. It defines us as a species and it’s this overlooked ability that could make unbelievable changes to us as individuals and to society, if we embraced it. Shane O’Mara celebrates this miraculous ability.
The Irrational Ape: Why flawed logic puts us all at Risk, and How Critical Thinking can save the World | Sunday 27th October
In a world where fake news, mistrust of experts, prejudice and ignorance all too often hold sway, we can all too easily be misled over issues such as vaccinations, climate change or conspiracy theories. Knowing how to think clearly and critically has literally helped save the world.
November 2019
How to Win the Culture Wars in an Age of Austerity | Sunday 10th November
In the 2010s socioeconomic factors led to the widespread and increased disenfranchisement of poorer people from the mainstream media and the institutions shaping it. To put it plainly: the vast majority of people now tasked with creating our media simply lack the sensibilities that have always driven artistic innovation.
The Theory and Practice of Anarchism | Sunday 24th November
Anarchism routinely gets a bad press. It is seen as meaning chaos and disorder — or even nothing at all. And yet, from Extinction Rebellion to Pussy Riot, Noam Chomsky to David Graeber, this philosophical and political movement is as relevant as ever.
December 2019
Death Machines: The Ethics of Violent Technologies | Sunday 8th December
As innovations in military technologies race toward ever-greater levels of AI and autonomy, Dr Elke Schwarz reframes the debates around automation and violent technologies.
January 2020
Britain by Numbers: A Visual Exploration of People and Place | Sunday 12th January
Criss-crossing the British Isles with a haul of statistics, charts and equations, Stuart Newman’s Britain by Numbers vividly bringing our nation to life in new and unexpected ways by showing who lives here, where we work, who we marry, what crimes we commit and much else besides.
What We Need To Do Now: Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions | Sunday 26th January
Chris Goodall shows the route to a society that emits no carbon dioxide but is also fairer, healthier and more content than at present.
February 2020
Thinking On Sunday: Witch Hunts Today | Sunday 9th February
Harmful practices due to belief in witchcraft have seen a huge increase in the past six years both globally and in the UK and Kirsty Brimelow QC and author and campaigner Syd Moore have joined forces to expose this phenomenon.
Among the Women of Isis | Sunday 23rd February
Why did women join ISIS? What is the line between victim and collaborator? Azadeh Moaveni discusses an intimate account of the women who made a shocking decision: to leave their lives behind and join the Islamic State.
March 2020
Rankings That Rankle | Sunday 8th March
We are obsessed with status. Annual awards and league tables of universities, liveable cities and national happiness reflect this obsession. But how valid are these rankings?
April 2020
Conway Hall will be closed until Mon 06 Apr | Sunday 5th April
Following the advice of the UK government, and in line with advice from the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, we have, with regret, decided to temporarily close the doors of Conway Hall…