Kant’s Cave: What is Philosophical Obscenity? - Sailee Khurjekar

ATTEND IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM This talk starts with a deceptively simple question: What makes something obscene? Join teacher and PhD candidate Sailee Khurjekar for an accessible introduction to how we should go about defining philosophical obscenity. She will explore how the obscene emerges when representations, behaviours, or encounters transgress social, symbolic, or aesthetic norms while provoking an uneasy blend of attraction and repulsion. Drawing on a paradigm-based approach, Sailee will trace the recurring features of obscene experience, from public and private indecency to urination and defecation, ultimately arguing that we can learn something valuable from philosophical obscenity. No previous experience of the literature is required. Sailee Khurjekar is a PhD candidate in Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London. Her research examines obscenity and art censorship, looking at whether obscene art warrants censure if it shown to harm vulnerable minority groups. She is also a Philosophy teacher at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, where she runs the Debating programme. Sailee has had two articles published in Philosophy Now, one on the philosophy of Japanese gardens and another on the philosophy of race. She has previously been interviewed by The Guardian about the Race and Ethnic Disparities Report and is currently one of the organisers of the London Aesthetics Forum, which aims to stimulate philosophical reflection and discussion on art. This event is sponsored by the Royal institute of Philosophy. For the full programme of events pls see pfalondon.org