Ethics Center announces book clubs for fall

Contact: Sandra L Borden
September 9, 2024

KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擳he Center for the Study of Ethics in Society is presenting three book clubs during the fall semester highlighting ethical issues surrounding democracy and university education, lessons from literature for living a good life, and working with artificial intelligence. 

The first 10 people to sign up for a book club receive a free book. .

鈥溾 by Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, is the first book of the semester. Kathy Purnell, J.D., Ph.D., trustee at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, director of the Human/Civil Rights Law Center, and part-time instructor in the Department of Political Science, will lead each discussion.  This book navigates complex ethical issues surrounding the ethical obligations of universities to support democratic governance. Meetings will be conducted via Zoom on Wednesdays, Sept. 18 and 25, from 6:30 p.m.

 by George Saunders, is the next book club this semester. Dr. Dini Metro-Roland, professor of educational foundations; Paul Farber, professor of teaching, learning and educational studies; and Dr. Jil Larson, associate professor of English, will lead each discussion. This book explores a Syracuse University professor鈥檚 reading of Russian short stories to students over the years that led to certain discoveries about life, values and truth. Meetings will be in Room 4550 ofSangren Hall, on Wednesdays. Oct. 2,  9,  16 and 23 at 6 p.m.

鈥溾 by Ethan Mollick, Wharton professor and author of the popular One Useful Thing Substack newsletter, is the last book of the semester. David Paul, chair of the Department of Philosophy, will lead each discussion.  This book will critically analyze artificial intelligence regarding its future role in human life and society. Meetings will be in Room 4550 of Sangren Hall on Mondays, Oct. 21 and 28, and Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. 

Students can earn 色色啦 Signature credit for any book club for which they attended all scheduled meetings. 

To learn more about the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society and its book clubs, visit wmich.edu/ethics.

For more 色色啦 news, arts and events, visit 色色啦 News online.