Critical Inquiry
Citizenship Colloquium
Oct. 26, 2023 • 7 p.m. Elmen Center • Augustana University
DR. MICHAEL SANDEL The Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, Harvard University “The Tyranny of Merit”
PROGRAM WELCOME Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President, Augustana University SPEAKER INTRODUCTION Dr. Joel A. Johnson Interim Provost, Augustana University PRESENTATION “The Tyranny of Merit” Dr. Michael Sandel The Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, Harvard University CLOSING REMARKS Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President, Augustana University BOOK SIGNING
ABOUT DR. MICHAEL SANDEL Dr. Michael Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, is a world-renowned philosopher and author. Sandel’s books relate themes of political philosophy to some of the most thought-provoking moral and civic questions of our time. They include What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets; Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?; The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering; Public Philosophy: Essays on Morality in Politics; Democracy’s Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy; and Liberalism and the Limits of Justice. Sandel has been a pioneer in the use of new technology to promote global public discourse. His course “Justice” is the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on television — viewed by tens of millions of people around the world. In the BBC series “The Global Philosopher,” Sandel leads video-linked discussions with participants from more than 30 countries on the ethical aspects of issues, such as immigration and climate change. Sandel’s global lectures have taken him across five continents and packed venues such as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Public Theater in New York’s Central Park and an outdoor stadium in Seoul, South Korea. In the U.S., Sandel has served on the President’s Council on Bioethics and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A graduate of Brandeis University, he earned a doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
ABOUT THE CRITICAL INQUIRY & CITIZENSHIP COLLOQUIUM In partnership with the Center for Western Studies (CWS), the Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium is designed to promote civil discourse and deep reflection with the goal of enhancing students’ skills to think critically and communicate persuasively as citizens of a pluralistic society. The annual 1- or 2-day colloquium is intended to feature faculty scholars and students, as well as industry, research and policy experts who inspire and facilitate critical thinking, persuasive reasoning and thoughtful discussion around timely and engaging topics in areas ranging from religion, science and politics to history, technology and business. The colloquium kicks off or culminates in a keynote given by thought leaders of national or global prominence.
The Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium is generously supported by Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock.