What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing but Cocaine? A Philosophy of Addiction

Dr. Hanna Pickard, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics & Krieger-Eisenhower Professor, Johns Hopkins University 

Addiction science is at an impasse. Rates of addiction remain high. Translational results from decades of research conducted within the dominant brain disease paradigm are shockingly meager. Meanwhile, theories of addiction multiply and compete, fomenting disagreement about something as apparently simple as how addiction should be defined. Ultimately the cost of this impasse is borne by people with addiction themselves. Drawing on philosophy together with sources ranging from the history of the science of animal models to the voices of people who live with addiction, I present a new paradigm that shifts our gaze away from a broken brain and onto the psychology and humanity of people who struggle with drugs.

Following the lecture, we will invite the audience to join the conversation!
Preregistration is recommended, but not required.

Free sweet treats following the event.

Questions? Please email ethics@umbc.edu

This public forum is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Presented by the Department of Philosophy and the Center for Ethics and Values and co-sponsored by Dresher Center for the Humanities; Public Heath Research Center; Human Context of Science and Technology Program.