Spring 2020
The Great Conversation Volume IV: Ideology & Emancipation
Convened by Dr. J. David Franks
February 3rd - May 19th 2021
This fourth volume of the great conversation took place online through Zoom, where over 30 participants met each week to discuss modern and contemporary philosophers, thinkers, and authors on the topic: How Should We Live?
To Hades & Back II:
Remnants of the Good
Led by Emma Towne & James Capuzzi
February 9th - April 7th 2021
To Hades & Back, an invite-only reading group, explored four ancient greek plays: Aristophanes’ The Clouds, Euripides’ Medea, Euripides’ The Bacchae, and Aristophanes’ Thesmophoriazusae. It examined the following questions: What makes a “good” argument? Can vengeance be an act of justice? How does madness subvert free will? Do outside opinions shape you?
Great Ideas Debate: Socialism or Capitalism?
dr. Arthur C. Brooks & Professor Richard D. Wolff
April 15th, 2021
The second annual Great Ideas Debate in conjunction with the ISI and the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, this year's resolution was Socialism is preferable to Capitalism as an economic system that promotes freedom, equality, and prosperity. Prof. Wolff was on the affirmative, and Prof. Brooks the negative.
Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards
Carol Crossed
February 15th, 2021
Carol Crossed, founder and president of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum weaves a narrative with text and images that are over 100 years old in her new book; Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards!
Finding Meaning at College
Emily Esfahani-SMith & Prof. Matt Lee
May 11th, 2021
This conversation, co-sponsored by Harvard University’s Department of Philosophy, The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Studies, and The World Youth Alliance’s North America Chapter, discussed the speakers’ experiences with meaning in the college setting, and answered student questions.