Roman philosopher Boethius (480-524 CE) wrote the Consolation of Philosophy while imprisoned on false charges of treason that ultimately led to his execution. He wrote it as a dialogue he imagines between himself and Lady Philosophy. Just as the Platonic dialogues, the Consolation is designed to induce its readers to engage in philosophy for themselves, offering arguments that are sometimes based on premises acceptable to the interlocutors that the critical reader might nevertheless wish to more fully examine. One such premise in the Consolation is the claim that the “characters” (mentes) of humans are immortal. Lady Philosophy does not offer an argument in defense of this claim, but rather reminds Boethius he has already been persuaded of it by many arguments. In this lecture, Michael Wiitala will reconstruct what such arguments for the immortality of a person’s character or disposition might have been, drawing on things Lady Philosophy says later in the Consolation and on the Platonic and Aristotelian traditions that she represents.

CSU's College of Liberal Arts presents the Democracy Summit on March 5-7, 2025, free and open to the public.

There is growing attention to the harm and suffering that animals experience in human environments, including laboratories, factory farms, zoos, and aquaria. Yet, there has been very little discussion focused on respecting other animals. Going beyond the fact that animals suffer, Dr. Lori Gruen develops a view about animal dignity that focuses on what it would mean to be in a relationship of respect with them. In this lecture, Gruen explores what it means to think and act on the notion that animals have dignity and worth.

The philosophy department invites current and future philosophy students to a Student Meet & Greet (with pizza!) following the Bernie Rollin Memorial Lecture, "Animal Dignity." You'll meet CSU students and professors, learn about our program, and discuss the topic of animal ethics.

Please join us for "Laws that Deify, and Deifying the Laws: Iamblichus’ defense of 'pagan' Mediterranean religious practices" with Paul DiRado (CSU) on Tuesday, April 1 at 5 pm in the Behavioral Sciences Building rm 103.