1-12-2016: Politics of Anger

Brad Carter, Ph.D., SMU

The politics of anger is a recurring phenomenon in our society. Thus, it calls for philosophical engagement. This lecture will explore why rational analysis may help us understand why anger and irrationality plays so large a role in contemporary politics in the U.S.

1-26-2016: The Ethics of Depletion Marketing

Robert Howell, Ph.D. & Ken Daley6, Ph.D., SMU

Recent psychological research suggests that willpower is a depletable resource.  Advertisers and marketing professionals are keen to take advantage of this phenomenon in an attempt to move merchandise.  This lecture explores the ethics of using “ego depletion” to wear down consumers until they open their wallets.  

2-9-2016:  The Meaning of Objectivity

Fred Grinnell, Ph.D., UT Southwestern

Individuals interact with the world through different attitudes, e.g., artistic, scientific, religious. Diverse attitudes give rise to different ways of “practicing” the world. This lecture will address how the meaning of objectivity can change, ultimately being established within a community and not by an individual.

2-23-2016: Africa--Myths, Challenges andOpportunities

Alfred Latigo, Ph.D. Global Institute for Development Evidence

Myriad myths and false perceptions proliferate when it comes to Africa. This talk will reveal these incorrect ideas and offer political, economic, social, and environmental solutions to unveil the full potential of this intriguing and dynamic continent.

3-8-2016: Sexual Autonomy and Deception

Jennifer Matey, Ph.D., SMU

What types of deceptions are morally problematic in the context of romantic/sexual relationships? At least some deceptions are wrong because they interfere with sexual autonomy. But how do we know which ones?

3-22-2016: The Ethics and Economics of Immigration

David Pruessner, JD, LLM, Law Office of David Pruessner

As a country largely founded by immigrants, the U.S. has faced immigration questions from its inception. And Texas has constantly been at the forefront of immigration debates tracing back to the Mexican American War. This lecture will highlight our past immigration experience and explore possible solutions, with a focus on ethical and economic issues.

4-12-2016: The Biologic, Sociologic and Historical Basis of Beauty

David Alkek, M.D.

This presentation will explain how what we call a “pretty” or “beautiful” face has evolved anthropologically and socially. These concepts affect how we interact with others--how we are attracted and attract the other sex, how we choose leaders, even how we might get out of a traffic ticket.

4-26-2016: In Defense of Plagiarism

Philipp Rosemann, Ph.D., University of Dallas

These days, plagiarism is considered the capital sin of academic work. What could be worse than to copy someone else's work and pretend that it is one's own? Yet important questions and problems arise. Is there anything in a person’s ideas that is not derivative? Thus, is it truly appropriate to extend the concept of property to ideas?

5-10-2016: Managing Polarities for Fun and Profit

Bert Parlee, Ph.D., Stagen Consulting

The Integral worldview holds that all perspectives are true - but partial. This approach represents a heterodoxy challenge to the absolute truth of the current politically correct orthodoxy ruling mainstream media, academia, and the intelligentsia.