2005-06 Jepson Leadership Forum to Examine the State of Public Debate
September 14, 2005
Journalists, scholars, philosophers and a physician will examine the capacity of Americans to deal reasonably with complex matters of public policy, public and private morality, scientific truth and religious differences in "The State of Public Debate," the 2005-06 Jepson Leadership Forum at the University of Richmond.
E. J. Dionne, a member of the Washington Post Writers Group and author of "Why Americans Hate Politics," and William Kristol, founding editor of The Weekly Standard, will kick off the forum Oct. 6, 7 p.m., in Jepson Alumni Center. They will discuss how citizens get their information, the technology of modern newsgathering and the media's role in treating public debate as entertainment. They also will consider how journalists fulfill their role in society and hold leaders and themselves accountable.
The series is sponsored by the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Tickets are free and may be reserved three weeks prior to each event by calling (804) 289-8980.
The schedule includes the following programs (all are in Jepson Alumni Center unless otherwise noted):
Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
"The Intersection of Science, Politics and Ethics."
Leon R. Kass, scholar, physician and chairman of the President’s Council of Bioethics, will grapple with many of the complex moral, scientific and social questions that yield few easy answers. He will discuss in vitro fertilization, stem cell research, cloning, genetic screening, genetic technology, organ transplantation, aging research, assisted suicide and other concerns created by modern medicine and biomedical advances.
Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
"Truth, Lies and Other Forms of Corruption in Civic Communication."
Princeton philosopher Harry Frankfurt, author of the New York Times bestseller "On Bullshit," will look at how he believes we are living in an age of deceit, lies, spin, storytelling and cagey omissions. Jepson Professor Joanne B. Ciulla will join Frankfurt in the discussion.
Jan. 25, 7 p.m.
"American Public Debate: What Role for Morality and Religion?"
Harvard Professor Michael J. Sandel will examine whether moral considerations should enter or be excluded from public debate. Jepson Assistant Professor Thaddeus M. Williamson will join in the discussion.
Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Modlin Center for the Performing Arts
"A View from the Hill and Beyond: A Conversation with Bob Dole and George McGovern."
Both former long-time elected officials who served heartland states in the U.S. Senate, Dole and McGovern will share the stage to talk about politics and civility, then and now, and how citizens and leaders can reclaim higher ground in political discourse.
Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
"Public Deliberation in a Diverse Society."
What is public and what is private--and where in a pluralistic society does religion fall? Jean Bethke Elshtain, a political philosopher whose work demonstrates the connections between our political and ethical convictions, will lead a discussion on the role of religion in public life. The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics at the University of Chicago, she has explored a range of issues, including the obligations of citizens, just war, the connection between religious and political leadership, and the growth of democracy and human rights. Jepson Associate Professor Douglas A. Hicks will join Elshtain in the discussion. Other panelists include Shaun Casey, assistant professor of Christian ethics and director of the National Capital Semester for Seminarians program at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.; Michael Battle, vice president, associate dean of academic studies and associate professor of theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandra; and G. Scott Davis, Booker Chair in Religion and Ethics and chairman of the Religion Department at the University of Richmond.
For more information, including group tickets, contact Sue Robinson in the Community Programs Office, (804) 287-6627 or jepson@richmond.edu.