J.D. Trout spoke at the 29th annual Steinkraus Lecture on Oct. 19 on the topic of truthiness, or when something seems true but is not necessarily accurate.
Trout is a professor of philosophy and psychology at Loyola University Chicago. Trout was introduced by a member of the Oswego philosophy department, Mark Zelcer.
The presentation was on “truthiness.” Trout’s overarching point was that people are comfortable with what they know, even when it may not be entirely correct. It is what they believe to be correct because they are comfortable with it.
The presentation itself lasted a little over an hour. Despite the table and chair seated at the front of the Marano Campus Center auditorium, Trout gave his presentation by pacing at the front of the room, pointing to the projector with his slides and sipping his cup of coffee.
While several classes required student attendance at the event, many students shared their opinion of the event and seemed genuinely interested in what Trout had to say.
“He was very compelling and made me think about what I have learned and why I believe it,” Oswego State student Linden Merrill said.
“Fluency indicates we aren’t yet using all of our processing capacities, all of our mental workspace,” Trout said.
Using numerous examples, including octopi, physics and other sciences, Trout explained how humans are likely to be comfortable with what they believe or what they feel fluent in. Often, however, there is more to learn if people push past this comfortable barrier to the full truth, he said.
At the close of the presentation, Zelcer returned to thank Trout and refer students to the back of the room, where a small array of refreshments was provided. Following a 10-minute break, the room was opened up for a question-and-answer session.
The annual Steinkraus Lecture was established in 1988, according to the Oswego State website, and the full name of the event is the Warren Steinkraus Lecture on Human Ideals. The lecture is meant to honor members of professional philosophical societies. The speakers that are invited each year are meant to be engaging thinkers who will bring insight and curiosity to students.
Warren Steinkraus, who the lecture is named after, was the associate editor of the philosophy journal w“Idealistic Studies.” Steinkraus passed away in 1990.
The Steinkraus Lecture is funded by an endowment that was created by donations from Steinkraus’ friends, family and admirers and is handled by the Oswego College Foundation. The Steinkraus Lecture is a not-for-profit educational series that looks to bring active thinkers such as Trout each year to bring engaging discussions and new ideas to benefit the minds of Oswego State students.
Photo:Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian
