The Public is Invited to Explore “The Civic Value of Solitude” during the Annual Russell Jacobs Lecture Sept. 24

Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University Philosophy & Religious Studies Department will host the annual Russell Jacobs Lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Ruth Garvey Fink Convocation Hall in the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, on the Washburn University campus. The speaker for 2024 is Professor Robert B. Talisse from Vanderbilt University. The title of his lecture is "The Civic Value of Solitude." This event is free and open to the public.

About the Lecture

"This is what democracy looks like" is typically the caption to a photo of engaged citizens publicly assembled to express a common political sentiment. Democracy indeed needs an active citizenry. However, democracy also needs citizens to be reflective. The trouble is that common modes of collective democratic action can dismantle our reflective capacities by escalating polarization and partisan animosity. It turns out that there are certain civic virtues that can be cultivated and exercised only in solitude.

About Robert B. Talisse

Robert B. Talisse is the W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He specializes in democratic theory, with an emphasis on polarization, political disagreement and the ethics of citizenship. Talisse is the author of more than 100 academic articles and 15 books. His latest book is titled "Sustaining Democracy: What We Owe to the Other Side." His next book will be published in the fall. It is titled "Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance."

About the Russell Jacobs Lecture in Philosophy

The Russell Jacobs Lecture in Philosophy brings outstanding philosophers for robust discussions of their work to Washburn University every fall. It is always free and open to the public. Emeritus faculty member Russell Jacobs established this lecture upon his retirement.

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Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn's programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn's six primary academic units - College of Arts and Sciences, School of Applied Studies, School of Business, School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech's campus on Topeka's west side or in the East Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

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Telephone: (785) 670-2153
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