Valparaiso University Professor Holds Public Philosophy Conference
Monday, October 2, 2023
4PM
Valparaiso University
1300 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso, IN
Thomas Albert (Tal) Howard, Ph.D., professor of humanities and Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Chair in Christian Ethics will host a free, public conference on the philosophy of personalism titled “What is a Person: The Promise of Personalist Philosophy for Rehabilitating Moral Discourse.” The event will take place on October 2, 2023 at 4 p.m. at Valparaiso University’s Mueller Hall.
Personalism is a philosophical movement prominent in the 20th century that has seen a steep decline in attention in more recent times. During its prominence, however, the movement had a major impact on global figures such as Pope John Paul II and Martin Luther King Jr. Some philosophers today argue that bringing attention to personalism once again could help us think well and wisely about human personhood and human solidarity, despite the cynicism and polarization running rampant in today’s world.
Speaking at the conference will be Mark Spencer, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy at the University of Saint Thomas in Minnesota and Aaron Preston, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at Valparaiso University. Both professors have written several publications, including Professor Preston’s “The Disappearance of Moral Knowledge” (Routledge, 2018) and Professor Spencer’s “The Irreducibility of the Human Person: A Catholic Synthesis” (Catholic University of America Press, 2022). Professor Howard will act as moderator for the event.
The conference is sponsored by Christ College — the Honors College, the Duesenberg Chair in Christian Ethics, the Theology and Philosophy Department, and sodalitas christiana. Valparaiso University is proud to host and support this event, and all the campus events that allow the community to benefit from the knowledge of our faculty. If you have questions, please contact duesenberg.ethics@valpo.edu.