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Upcoming
20th Annual Fall Ethics Symposium: The Ethics of Disagreement
October 13, 2025
University Union, Redwood Room/Pacific Suite 9am-4:30pm
Debates about morality, especially those regarding social issues concerning justice and public policy, are worryingly polarized. We tend to refuse to engage with people occupying different points of view, dismissing them as either stupid or evil. Our speakers this year address the view that moral and political disagreements are acceptable, even valuable, and the further view that it is better for us to engage with those with whom we disagree. Our symposium will attend to the principles that should guide us in thinking about moral and political disagreement and how best to approach it.
Speakers
- Anthony Bradley, "Personalism as a Solution to Political Polarization." Anthony Bradley is distinguished research fellow at The Acton Institute and Research Professor of Interdisciplinary and Theological Studies at Kuyper College. Previously, he was professor of religion, theology and ethics at the King's College in New York City, where he also served as the chair of the Religious and Theological Studies program and directed the Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program. He is the author of, among many other works, Heroic Fraternities: How College Men Can Save Universities and America (2023) and Black and Tired: Essays on Race, Politics, Culture, and International Development (2011).
- Andrew Jason Cohen, "Engaging Each Other: Why and How." Andrew Jason Cohen is Professor of Philosophy and Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Georgia State University. He is the author of Toleration and Freedom from Harm: Liberalism Reconceived (2018) and Toleration (2014). His current book in progress is an instruction manual for civil discourse: A Thinker’s Guide to Real Talk: How to Genuinely Engage Others – and Save Democracy.
- Angel Eduardo, "How to Star-Man: Arguing from Compassion." Angel Eduardo a senior writer and editor at FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), best known for creating the rhetorical concept of star-manning. He previously worked as managing director of messaging and editorial for the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) and is currently Chair of FAIR's Board of Directors. He also contributes a column for the Center for Inquiry titled “Searching for Better Angels,” where he writes on topics such as science, morality, communication, and skepticism. His writing has also been featured in Quillette, Newsweek, Areo Magazine, and The Caribbean Writer, among other print and online publications.
- Hrishikesh Joshi, "The Duty to Speak and the Duty to Listen." Hrishikesh Joshi is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona and a core faculty member at the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom. His research focuses on normative issues at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) and is the author of Why It's OK to Speak Your Mind (2021).