Berry Lectures

W. James Booth, professor of political science and philosophy, examines our obligations toward the dead. Read More

There is good reason to think that long-term solitary confinement has debilitating psychological effects which render people unable to engage socially, says Lisa Guenther, associate professor of philosophy. Read More

Watch “Can War Be Justified?” a lecture by Larry May, W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy and professor of law. Larry May’s talk offers an introduction to a range of questions on the morality of war. He addresses such questions as: Is the killing of… Read More

Watch video of Vanderbilt University Marilyn Friedman presenting “Can Bad People Live Well?” on March 22. Her presentation was part of The Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy series of talks that aims to make philosophy accessible and relevant for the public. “The Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy provide a wonderful opportunity to reach… Read More

Watch video of the most recent presentation in the Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy that took place on March 15 with Jeffrey Tlumak, associate professor of philosophy. He discussed “Do We Have Free Will? Why Does It Matter?” “The Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy provide a wonderful opportunity to… Read More

Watch video of the most recent presentation in the Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy that took place on March 1 with Robert Talisse, professor and chair of philosophy. He discussed “Must Life Be Tragic?” “The Berry Lectures in Public Philosophy provide a wonderful opportunity to reach a broader audience beyond… Read More

Watch video of Vanderbilt University Centennial Professor of Philosophy John Lachs on Feb. 23 kick-off a new series of talks that aims to make philosophy accessible and relevant for the public. Lachs discussed “Why Is Good Enough Not Good Enough for Us?”, which addressed the human drive for perfection. “It is… Read More