Symposium on the Ethics of Free Inquiry on the University Campus

To be held in Hariri, room 360. The public is welcome to attend.

Agenda at a Glance 

8:15 – 8:30 am – | Welcome

John Hasnas, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for the Study of Markets and Ethics

8:30 – 10:15 am | Panel I – Implications for Academic Freedom

Moderator: John Hasnas, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Essayists:

Jennifer Ruth, School of Film, Portland State University: Weaponizing Civil Rights Law to Eliminate Free Inquiry

Evan Ringel, Communication, Appalachian State University: Special Concern or Floating Signifier? Exploring the Nebulous Legal and Practical Dimensions of Academic Freedom

Keith Whittington, Law, Yale Law School & Jocelyn Wilson, Politics, Princeton University: You’re Fired: University Policies on Faculty Tenure and Termination

Joseph Yockey, Law University of Iowa: Algorithmic Tenure 

10:30 – 12:00 am | Panel II – Values in Tension

Moderator: Jason Brennan, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Essayists:

Ilana Redstone, Sociology, University of Illinois: Three Myths About Campus Ideology — And What Universities Actually Need to Fix

Sarah Conly, Philosophy, Bowdoin College: Why University Inquiry Should not be “Free”

Hollis Robbins, English, University of Utah: Political Bullying

12:15 – 1:30 pm | Lunch Recess   

1:45 – 3:15 pm | Panel III – Philosophical Considerations

Moderator: Peter Jaworski, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Essayists:

Michael Veber, Philosophy, East Carolina University: Should Campus Censors Censor Arguments Against Censorship?

Justin Tosi, Philosophy, Georgetown University: When Universities Censor, What Do They Say?

J.P Messina, Philosophy, Purdue University: Public Universities and Liberal Neutrality

3:30 – 5:00 pm | Panel IV – The Role of Intellectual Diversity

Moderator: William English, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Essayists:

James Stoner, Political Science, Louisiana State University: What Is Intellectual Diversity, and Can Government Demand It?

Dan Cullen, Philosophy, Rhodes College: On the Ethics of Free Inquiry in the University

Aeon Skoble, Philosophy, Bridgewater State University: The Compatibility of Viewpoint Diversity with Respect for All Students

5:00 pm | Closing remarks

John Hasnas

Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for the Study of Markets and Ethics