By: Anthony Gutierrez, May 13, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona’s Philosophy Club held its first undergraduate philosophy conference for fourth-year students at the College of Business Administration Complex April 30.
The event, which was co-coordinated by philosophy student Destiny Lorenz, gave students a platform to present several years worth of work to peers and an external audience.
“It felt great to give them a chance to engage in debates with their own (peers) and for them to present the hard work they’ve done,” Lorenz said.
The event highlighted two student presenters who conveyed their thesis as they challenged societal norms and values with their own views and perspectives.
Senior philosophy majors Lucas Gonzalez and Charlotte Hill took the stage as they each gave an over-20-minute-long presentation on their work.
The conference started with Gonzalez’s thesis on “critiquing perfectionism.”
Gonzalez expanded on the concept, as he was critiquing the Western value of achievement. Instead, he said, goals are individual, and outside factors should not determine what is considered to be successful.
Gonzalez shared several interesting examples to help support his argument, including a reference to two different people climbing Mount Everest.
To support his example, he explained how one may finish the full hike, and the other will only climb a couple thousand feet, but “they both fulfilled an achievement, regardless of external value.”
After presenting his work and thesis, other students were given the chance to voice their opinions and ask questions in a debate-style format.
Gonzalez said his thesis has made him rethink his own perception of goals and success.
“To be honest, what I was working on changed the way I approached things,” Gonzalez said. “It helped me simplify everyday things.”
Hill presented her thesis on obligation that argues that people have a moral obligation to honor promises made to the dead as long as those promises are legitimate and reasonable.
Her thesis tackles important philosophical issues regarding whether moral duty continues after death. She then continues to examine how memory and social trust influence our ethical responsibilities.
“I would say luckily I wasn’t too nervous for my presentation, considering it’s in front of my peers and professors,” Hill said. “I’ve done theatre my entire life and mock trial and stuff, so I’m generally pretty OK with performances.”
Hill’s paper, titled “Ashes and Obligations,” argues that people who are dead can still be victims of wrongdoings.
She expanded on her research, concluding there are only two ways promises can dissolve. She then elaborated on the principles of attainability and endorsability.
This means the promise can be void if the person who made the promise dies, or if external circumstances — such as legal, financial, or situational changes — make it impossible to fulfill the promise.
Hill used the four-dimensional layout to convey the idea that people don’t simply stop existing when they die, but rather they exist in the past as real as we do in the present.
In the same format as Gonzalez’s presentations, students were given the chance to voice their own perspectives and ask Hill questions about her thesis.
Students questioned part of Hill’s theory if family is seen as equal to a random acquaintance.
“There’s nothing wrong with giving priority to those closest to you,” Hill responded.
The event showcased the depth of student research while encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking. Organizers have confirmed plans to make the undergraduate philosophy conference an annual event. Students who want to present next year or start their own thesis projects can contact the philosophy department for guidance on how to participate.
“We hope to make this an annual tradition, and we appreciate our students for participating,” Lorenz said.
Feature image courtesy of Alexander Novoa
