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Why Memes, Mantras and Metaphors Move Us

Elisabeth Camp, Rutgers. Presented by the Philosophy Francis W. Gramlich Lecture

10/17/2025
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Haldeman Hall 41 (Kreindler Conference Hall)
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars, School of Arts and Sciences

Friday, October 17, 2025

Elisabeth Camp, Rutgers

3:30pm
41 Haldeman

Talk title: Why Memes, Mantras and Metaphors Move Us
Description: "How can memes and mantras like ‘Boys will be boys’, ‘Make America Great Again’, ‘Minds are computers’, and ‘I coulda been a contender’ feel so meaningful despite having meanings that are largely trivial? I propose that they frame their topics in an open-ended, intuitive way that harnesses otherwise disparate thoughts, images and feelings. This can be useful for coordinating interpretation and action over time and across individuals. But it can also entrench myopia and misunderstanding. Explaining the interpretive power of framing devices requires us to expand the standard toolkit for analyzing minds beyond standard propositional attitudes like belief, to include perspectives."

 

For more information on the Gramlich lecture series, please visit: https://philosophy.dartmouth.edu/news-events/francis-w-gramlich-lectures

For more information, contact:
Prof John Kulvicki
philosophy@dartmouth.edu
Permanent URL to this event: https://philosophy.dartmouth.edu/events/event?event=78133

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.