top of page

FALL 2023 EVENTS

  • Nov 16, 2023, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    Rowling Hall (Room 4.314), 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705, USA
    Among the Catholic political thinkers of the 20th century, Augusto Del Noce stood out for his ability to trace the deep theological and philosophical roots of modern politics. In this talk, his English translator will discuss Del Noce's analysis of the rise of modern totalitarian movements...
    Share
  • Oct 19, 2023, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Texas Public Policy Foundation, 901 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
    For the past 10 years, the Austin institute and its fellows have answered the same questions and relentlessly and bravely defended the eternal truths of human nature and of the family from the attacks of modern culture. Join us and our fellows in discussing the next 10 years!
    Share
  • Oct 09, 2023, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Stumberg Hall, 3206 Fairfax Walk, Austin, TX 78705, USA
    What's the big deal about divorce? Why should we read and talk about it when everyone around us seems to be fine with it? The truth is: no matter what our family background, our age, or our state in life is, we all need to rediscover the immense impact that family life has on us and on our culture.
    Share
  • Oct 04, 2023, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    Stumberg Hall, 3206 Fairfax Walk, Austin, TX 78705, USA
    Bagels, coffee, and male-only discussions on what matters most. Once a month, attendees will have the chance to read and talk about issues and challenges that the men of today are facing and that too often remain undisclosed: for fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
    Share
  • Sep 27, 2023, 7:00 PM – Dec 31, 2023, 9:00 PM
    Stumberg Hall, 3206 Fairfax Walk, Austin, TX 78705, USA
    This program is reserved for UT graduate students (and spouses) and is structured as a series of conversations around a dinner table. Dinner is provided, but prior registration is required. One or two short articles --our conversations starters--will be sent beforehand.
    Share
  • Sep 21, 2023, 7:00 PM
    Stumberg Hall or Zoom, 3206 Fairfax Walk, Austin, TX 78705, USA
    This coming fall, we are starting a new Good Life Reading Group + (Level 2). It will be open to all individuals above forty --or younger, but who do not feel they are "young professionals" anymore. Our first meeting will be in September and then continue every other week.
    Share

“Being Human: An Academic Path to the Good Life”

Tue, Dec 03

|

Austin Institute

In this reading group, taking our cue from the volume, we will explore what it means to be human. We will look at some of the great statements on the basic objects of human desire, whether it makes sense to desire perfection, and whether it makes sense to want to be immortal.

“Being Human: An Academic Path to the Good Life”
“Being Human: An Academic Path to the Good Life”

Time & Location

1 more dates

Dec 03, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Austin Institute, 3298-3200 Fairfax Walk, Austin, TX 78705, USA

About The Event

About this seminar:

In the 2000s, the President's Council on Bioethics published a volume entitled Being Human, which consisted of a selection of readings from great texts on different dimensions of humanity. New developments in bioethics promised to change the very nature of the human body and, therefore, of what it means to be human. In other words, the nature and limits of being human seemed to have become negotiable—we might be able to choose to change those things.

But are such fundamental changes desirable? Are there human goods that they might unknowingly eradicate? To answer that question properly, we require a more complete understanding of what it means to be human. This volume was assembled to clarify some of the most important dimensions of that and to educate students and readers on the basic issues of humanity.

In this reading group, taking our cue from the volume, we will explore what it means to be human. We will look at some of the great statements on what the basic objects of human desire are, whether it makes sense to desire to be perfect, and whether it makes sense to want to be immortal. We will discuss whether the goods we appreciate in our ordinary lives--family, friendship, study, health, enjoyment, dignity--depend on a finite, mortal human nature and how the way we think about those goods changes when we confront the possibility of breaking at least some of those limits.

In brief, the group is intended as a first philosophic inquiry into the good life.

About the Seminar Leader:

Dr. Erik Dempsey is one of UT's most beloved lecturers, as well as a lifelong learner. Assistant Director of the Thomas Jefferson for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas at UT Austin, Dr. Dempsey is interested in understanding human virtue, and the proper place of politics in a well-lived human life, the different ways in which human virtue is understood in different political situations, and the ways in which human virtue may transcend any political situation. Inside and outside of the classroom, this is truly what he most cares about. In addition to being an excellent scholar, he is one of the greatest mentors young students can find at UT. The seminar attendees are in for a treat!

Share This Event

SCHEDULE
SPEAKERS
bottom of page