Virtue and Politics
A discussion with Robin Lovin and Dallas Gingles.
7 p.m., March 4, 2025. Alumni and Friends Center Ballroom. Free and open to the public.
The idea of virtue seems out of place in our political experience of division, gridlock, and disinformation. But at the beginning of our history, Aristotle defined virtue as the habits of thought and action that are necessary for successful politics, for life together in the city (polis). As a starting point for discussion, we will see this longer historical perspective suggests some new uses for old-fashioned ideas that help us beyond today’s polarized politics.
Dr. Robin Lovin, the Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics at SMU since 2001, has written and taught about moral theology across several disciplines. He previously served for eight years as dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Dr. Dallas Gingles’, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at SMU, teaching specialties include ethics and systematic theology.
Watch Virtue & Politics Event Recording
Great Debate: Plastic Bag Bans
The Institute for Advancing American Values presents the Mountain States Policy Center’s Great Debate series kick off.
An in-depth discussion on the policy of banning plastic bags.
7 – 8:30 p.m., March 6, 2025. Honors College Classroom 166/167
Dialogue for Democracy
During the Fall 2024 semester, Boise State University launched Dialogue for Democracy, an initiative to promote civic engagement among members of the campus community, who hold a diverse set of political opinions and values. At the core of the initiative, is an effort to create an open, welcoming, and central place for members of the campus community and beyond, to explore a host of events and programs geared toward examining the choices facing voters in the November election.
See full list of previous Dialogue for Democracy events here.