2017 Walter A. Strauss Lecture Series: Shaping the Citizen
Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities
Case Western Reserve University
Wolstein Building Auditorium
Wed. November 29, 2017
Philip Kitcher
Celebrated philosopher Philip Kitcher of Columbia University is known for his studies of the role of scientific inquiry in democratic societies from the perspective the philosophy of pragmatism associated with William James and John Dewey. In a series of three lectures on “Education and Democracy,” Kitcher broadens this inquiry to investigate the aims of education with emphasis on the importance of the humanities and the arts. This lecture series, in memory of Walter A. Strauss (1923-2008), who was the Elizabeth and William C. Treuhaft Professor of Humanities, is generously supported by funds provided by the Paul Wurzburger Endowment.
One major goal of education is to prepare young people for participation in democratic societies. Existing educational policies tend to offer a shallow view of what is required. In this lecture, Kitcher argues for a rich and demanding conception of democracy, and for a correspondingly rich educational preparation.
