The D Society

The D Society is the main research seminar in the faculty for Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. It is chaired this term by Dr Blake Allen bta27@cam.ac.uk

Papers are invited from a wide range of philosophers, philosophers of religion and ethicists, both internal to Cambridge and from outside. A short response paper from a graduate student or faculty member usually opens the discussion.

Founded in 1921 by Professor James Bethune-Baker, the D Society was originally a subscription society intended to supplement the (then) predominantly biblical emphases of the faculty to include doctrinal and philosophical discussion. Under Professor Donald MacKinnon's chairmanship it became the main locus in the university for the interaction between senior members of the Philosophy and Divinity Faculties; and under Professor Nicholas Lash it was transformed into a regular senior seminar in the faculty. 

The seminar is open to all interested members of the University, and to visitors who may wish to attend. Graduate students in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics are encouraged to come from the beginning of their programme and to make the seminars, and the enjoyable tea that follows, a place of regular interaction.

Members of the D Society are also encouraged to attend the regular public lectures in Philosophy of Religion, including the Stanton Lectures.

Image used on this page: Title: Donald Mackenzie Mackinnon. Creator: Unknown. Source: https://tinyurl.com/26jp9ut9. Licence: Public Domain.

The Graduate Seminar in Philosophy of Religion

LENT Term 2025 (further details pending)

D SOCIETY 

Please contact faculty-office@divinity.cam.ac.uk with any questions about the seminars

Seminars are Fridays in the Lightfoot Room, 12.30 - 2.00 p.m.

Lunch in the Selwyn Room from 12.00 p.m.  

2 May: Professor Jane Heath, Revisiting Patristic Allegorical Exegesis with Gregory of Nyssa's Homilies on Canticles

16 May: Professor John Milbank, The Categories of Being and the Division of Nature in John Scottus Eriugena: How Do They Relate to Each Other?

All welcome