WMU News

Ethics lecture series features
expert on multiculturalism, morals

February 4, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- The ethical questions surrounding multiculturalism, non-military intervention and U.S. radiation experiments on humans are just some of the issues to be explored in a lecture series offered this semester by Western Michigan University's Center for the Study of Ethics in Society.

In February, the moral component of multiculturalism will be examined by Harvey Siegel, professor of philosophy at University of Miami. Siegel's presentation "Multiculturalism and the Possibility of Universal Moral Ideals," will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, in Room 157 of the Bernhard Center. Siegel, the author of a number of books on epistemology, philosophy of science and philosophy of education, will address how morals are constrained by culture and the impact that has on a society committed to the ideals of multiculturalism.

Other speakers slated for the lecture series and the topics they will address are:

Deni Elliott, University of Montana, "Ethical Concerns of Non-Military Intervention," at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center;

Dr. Emily Hauptmann, WMU assistant professor of political science, "If Deliberative Democracy is the Solution Then What is the Problem?," at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in Room 157 of the Bernhard Center;

Paul Thompson, Purdue University, "The Environmental Ethics Case for Plant Biotechnology," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the Brown and Gold Room of the Bernhard Center;

David Kauzlarich, Southern Illinois University, "U.S. Human Radiation Experiments: Prisoners, Plutonium and the Organization of State Crime," at 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center;

Insoo Hyun, WMU assistant professor of philosophy, "Individual Autonomy and Authentic Values," at 7 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the Brown and Gold Room of the Bernhard Center;

Timothy Light, WMU Provost, "Provostrial Ethics and Other Oxymorons: Trying to Manage Higher Education in a Market Driven World," at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 1, in Room 157 of the Bernhard Center; and

Panel presentation on media ethics, "Do We Need to be Protected from Offensive Images?," at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8, in the Brown and Gold Room of the Bernhard Center.

All lectures and events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society at 616 387-4397.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


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