In this first roundtable in the series "Dialogues between Eastern Philosophy and Western Traditions," participants will discuss the topic of "The Good Life with Responsibility and Freedom." This event is sponsored by the History of Philosophy Forum and co-sponsored by the  Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Speakers:Michael Puett, the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard UniversityMeghan Sullivan, the Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy; Director of the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, University of Notre DameThe speakers in the first roundtable, Michael Puett and Meghan Sullivan, are leading scholars of Eastern and Western ethical traditions, respectively. Both professors have crafted phenomenally successful undergraduate courses. Prof. Puett's "Classical Chinese Ethical and Political Theory" is Harvard's third most popular undergraduate course, inviting students to reevaluate contemporary assumptions about ethics in light of classical Chinese thought. Prof. Sullivan's "God and the Good Life" at Notre Dame introduces philosophy to students as a "way of life," drawing upon such figures as Plato, Aristotle , and Descartes to present different ways of engaging with questions of ultimate meaning. Organizer: Liang Cai, Associate Professor of History, University of Notre Dame Series Description: This series of roundtables is designed to foster meaningful exchanges between Eastern and Western philosophers on the themes of responsibility, rights, and virtue. These dialogues aim to inspire thoughtful solutions to contemporary social and international challenges. In the early 20th century, Chinese intellectuals and politicians, confronted with Western imperialism and colonialism, critiqued their own traditions, particularly Confucianism, for a perceived lack of emphasis on freedom and rights. They argued that the focus on responsibility and virtue stifled humanity, individual freedom, and creativity, leading to slower economic and technological development. In 1992, the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the rise of Western liberal democracy signified the "end of history" and the final form of human government. However, in the 21st century, we have seen that societies prioritizing freedom and individual rights can become polarized and divided, both internally and internationally. Echoing the 2024-25 Notre Dame Forum Theme, "What Do We Owe Each Other," this roundtable series aims to create a platform for Eastern and Western philosophers to discuss different philosophical traditions’ perspectives on responsibility, rights, and virtue. Through these dialogues, we hope to bridge social divides and foster healing amidst suffering, division, and injustice.Originally published at historyofphilosophy.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.

The Most Reverand Erik Varden, bishop of Trondheim, Norway, will present “Living with Wounds: The Passion in Theology and in Our Lives,” with an introduction by the Most Reverand Kevin Rhoades, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.

In this final teaching conference of the Organs and Origins series co-sponsored by the College of Science and the McGrath Institute for Church Life, scientists, philosophers and theologians will come together to consider the question of purpose and meaning in the universe. Is it merely a projection of human striving onto the cosmos? Or is there something more about it which can contribute to our understanding and to the dialogue between the sciences, philosophy and theology? Through generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation, 29 stipended fellowships are available for faculty and graduate students from across the disciplines who seek to enrich their teaching and research through this learning experience. Click here for more information and to register   Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.