'Truthiness' at issue in 29th annual Steinkraus Lecture at SUNY Oswego

The SUNY Oswego philosophy department's 2017 Warren Steinkraus Lecture on Human Ideals will feature Dr. J.D. Trout, author of the book "Wondrous Truths: The Improbable Triumph of Modern Science," at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in the Marano Campus Center auditorium.

Trout's lecture, "Explanation, Truthiness and the False Climb to Knowledge," is free and open to the public. A term first heard on "The Colbert Report," according to the New York Times, truthiness is the quality of seeming to be true without regard to logic or factual evidence.

A professor of philosophy and psychology at Loyola University Chicago, Trout in January will become the John and Mae Calamos Professor of Philosophy at Illinois Institute of Technology. Trout, who earned a Ph.D. in philosophy and cognitive science from Cornell University, specializes in the nature of scientific explanation, scientific realism and intellectual progress, and the psychology of human judgment.

His latest book "Wondrous Truths" -- one of five he has authored or co-authored -- was published in 2016 by Oxford University Press. It focuses on how and why science progressed so quickly in the Western world.

Trout has made many media appearances, including the New York Times Sunday Magazine, National Public Radio and the Wall Street Journal. He has held fellowships from the National Science Foundation, Templeton Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities.

Dr. Mark Zelcer of Oswego's philosophy department will make opening remarks Oct. 19.

Trout's appearance will mark the 29th annual Warren Steinkraus Lecture. Steinkraus was an Oswego professor who co-founded numerous philosophical societies and also was an associate editor of the philosophy journal Idealistic Studies. Steinkraus died in 1990, having dedicated his life to equality, non-violence and aesthetic quality.

The Steinkraus Lecture is supported by a permanent fund under the management of the Oswego College Foundation.

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People with disabilities needing assistance or special accommodations to attend the lecture should contact Lori Reitmeier in the department of philosophy at 315-312-2249.