Portfolios
Unhoused and Unrecognized
March 23, 2023
“Unhoused and Unrecognized: Thinking Through the Wrong of Homelessness” with Paul Schofield March 23, 2023 Abstract: It is tempting to think homelessness is unjust simply because it involves a grossly inequitable distribution of resources–some have so much while others lack something so basic as a stable … Read more
The Costs of Rescue
February 23, 2023
“The Costs of Rescue” with Kerah Gordon-Solmon February 23, 2023 Abstract: A stranger, through no fault of their own, is in dire financial straits. I could save them with a substantial cash gift. Alternatively, I could employ them in my warehouse. The work-hours are punishing and … Read more
On the Value of Bipartisanship
February 8, 2023
“On the Value of Bipartisanship” with Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. and former Governor Pat McCrory February 8, 2023 Our speakers, who hold opposing views on many political issues, have come together out of a shared concern of the dangers posed by partisanship in U.S. … Read more
Taking Hamlet out of the Play: In Defense of a Substantive Conception of the Rule of Law
October 18, 2022
“Taking Hamlet out of the Play: In Defense of a Substantive Conception of the Rule of Law” with Carmen Pavel October 18, 2022 Abstract: The rule of law has implications for how we evaluate in practice the acceptability of various legal systems. The philosophical debate about … Read more
Making Normative Sense of Social Norms
August 29, 2022
“In Honor of Geoffrey Brennan: Making Normative Sense of Social Norms” with Philip Pettit August 29, 2022 Geoffrey Brennan and I defended a theory of social norms, built on people’s interest in esteem, that later worried him on the grounds that if self-interest is at the origin … Read more
The Justice Argument Against Catholic Integralism
March 31, 2022
“The Justice Argument Against Catholic Integralism” with Kevin Vallier March 31, 2022 EVENT DESCRIPTION: Liberalism is taking a beating. Many deny, evermore boldly, that freedom and equality are central political values. The fiercest challengers are religious anti-liberals. These groups argue that the state should promote the authentic human … Read more
“Information Zombies and Hydroxychloroquine” with Cailin O’Connor
February 16, 2022
“Information Zombies and Hydroxychloroquine” with Cailin O’Connor February 16, 2022 Event Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, false beliefs have spread that fall outside our normal understanding of misinformation. In this talk, I use network models to discuss two ways this happens. In the first, plausible scientific claims … Read more
“Don’t Block the Exits” with Brandon Warmke
November 16, 2021
“Don’t Block the Exits” with Brandon Warmke November 16, 2021 EVENT DESCRIPTION: In contemporary political discussions, it is depressingly common to see people criticized for expressing impure beliefs. Moreover, those who sometimes defect from their tribe are criticized for failing to be firmly enough on the … Read more
“AUKUS and Shared Defense Technology” with Admiral Dennis Blair
November 3, 2021
“AUKUS and Shared Defense Technology” with Admiral Dennis Blair November 3, 2021 EVENT DESCRIPTION: President Joe Biden announced on September 15, 2021 a new U.S. security alliance with Australia and Britain (AUKUS) that will equip Australia with a nuclear submarine fleet: “Through AUKUS, our governments will … Read more
“Values, Ventilators, and Vaccines: Lessons from the Pandemic” with Professor Julian Savulescu
October 28, 2021
“Values, Ventilators, and Vaccines: Lessons from the Pandemic” with Professor Julian Savulescu October 28, 2021 EVENT DESCRIPTION: “We are just following the science” has been a frequent justification for policy by politicians in the pandemic. There has been a steadfast refusal to explicitly address the ethical values relevant … Read more