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Kibbitznest Liberal Arts Discussions are a collaboration with The University of Chicago Graham School to host presentations and discussions of original research, hosted at Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney.
All proceeds benefit the kibbitznest nonprofit, with a mission to encourage face-to-face communication, inspire conversation, and bring our community together to share insights and philosophies in a Socratic dialogue.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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About the Discussion:
At one level, the title of tonights talk is a rhetorical question. If freedom is the ability to act without being overwhelmingly shaped by physical, psychological, and social conditions, then its probably a fantasy; if equality is some kind of sameness that all people share, then its certainly not physical, psychological, or social sameness because people differ radically from each other in all of these ways.
At another level, though, the question isnt rhetorical. Ill argue that there is a way to make sense of freedom and equality as something all people possessbut only if we understand these concepts as signifying gaps in our knowledge rather than positive attributes. We can affirm peoples intrinsic freedom and equality, but only as an admission that we generally dont know why they behave as they do or what strengths and weaknesses they bring with them. While this picture doesnt yield the kinds of moral and political values were used to relying on, it can foster a compassionate and open-minded outlook that may be, in some respects, more important to us than such values.
Sponsor: Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney
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Stephen Walker is a PhD candidate at University of Chicago Divinity School studying philosophy and the history of philosophy across multiple traditions. His main research focuses on classical Chinese thought; his dissertation, Boundless Ways: Navigating Norms in the Zhuangzi, examines that text's pragmatic and pluralistic critique of value.
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Registration is not necessary but appreciated due to space limitations.
kibbitznest is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and wifi-free zone dedicated to the preservation of quality face-to-face human communication.
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LocationKibbitznest (View)
2212 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
United States
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| Minimum Age: 21 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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