Week 5 Lectures 2018

Week Five :: July 21 – July 28

The Ethics of Dissent

If dissent is the “highest form of patriotism,” at what point does dissent become harmful subversion? How does the First Amendment color the American debate on this subject, and what about other countries where these protections are nonexistent or less explicit? Is violence ever justified, and, if so, at what cost? In this week, we’ll examine the obligations of active citizens and cultural critics, look at the role dissent has played in the development of democracy and a muscular civic dialogue, and consider how dissent has changed — in the forms it takes, how it is responded to, and the rules by which society allows or prohibits it.

Interfaith Lecture Theme :: The Ethics of Dissent

When one is dissenting in the public realm, morally, what can one do, what must one do, what must one not do? In what circumstances (ever?) does the end justify the means? When trying to change minds about something, what must never be violated, what line must never be crossed? In this week we will seek to discern what an effective “ethics of dissent” can look like.

Don't see what you're after?  The Week 5 lectures given by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi and the Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella are not available for purchase.