Deep discussions at Queen's

Topical and long-running issues are to be debated

More than 300 philosophers from around the world are visiting Belfast for a series of conferences.

Seminars organised by the British Society for the Philosophy of Science begin on Thursday and will continue until next week.

Recent scientific developments such as genomes will be discussed, as well as more long-running debates about topics such as the nature of science.

This is the first time that the renowned bodies, Joint Session of the Mind Association and the Aristotelian Society, have met in Northern Ireland.

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Event coordinator Professor David Evans of Queen's University's School of Philosophical Studies said it was the first time that the three major international meetings had been held at the same venue in the same week.

"The gatherings will exhibit a range and depth of philosophical activity never previously equalled in Northern Ireland," he said.