A videotape conference and dialogue at the 
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

For its semi-annual lecture series this fall, the Common Concepts Project of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will be presenting a series of videotaped lectures given as part of the May 2-4 conference on "Naming Evil" at the Trinity Institute in New York City.  Following each of the lectures, two faculty (one from Pitt-Bradford, the other from St. Bonaventure's University) will offer their own brief responses to the lectures, after which everyone present will be invited to engage in an open dialogue on the issues raised by the lectures.  The event is free and open to the public, who may attend the lectures, the dialogue sessions, or both.  (Click on the links below to watch the lectures in advance of the scheduled dates.)

Location:     138 Blaisdell Hall, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
                      300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 

Schedule:

Wednesday, October 27
            12:00-12:50:      Video Lecture:  Jon D. Levenson, “Jewish Reflections on Evil, Cosmic and Moral”
            12:50-1:00         Break and refreshments
            1:00-2:00:          Respondents:  
                                        Dr. Erin Runions, Assistant Professor of Theology, St. Bonaventure's University
                                        Dr. Sam Fohr, Professor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
                                    Open Dialogue   

(Click here to watch and listen to the two respondents and the dialogue online.  Due to technical difficulties, the time available for the discussion was drastically curtailed.)

Wednesday, November 3
            12:00-12:50       Video Lecture:  Joan Chittister, OSB, “The First Lesson of History: The Good of Evil”
            12:50-1:00         Break and refreshments
            1:00-2:00           Respondents:
                                        Dr. Richard Reilley, Professor of Philosophy, 
                                            St. Bonaventure's University
                                        Dr. Steven Robar, Assistant Professor of Political Science, 
                                            University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
                                    Open Dialogue 

 

Information about the lecturers:

Jon Levenson is the Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard Divinity School. He has a strong interest in the philosophical and theological issues involved in biblical studies, especially the relationship between premodern modes of interpretation and modern historical criticism. Much of his work centers on the relationship of Judaism and Christianity, both in the times of the early church and in modernity, and he has long been active in Jewish-Christian dialogue. His most pertinent book for the purposes of this conference is entitled Creation and the Persistence of Evil: The Jewish Drama of Divine Omnipotence.

Joan Chittister has been a leading voice on spirituality for over 25 years. A widely published author, columnist and lecturer, she is executive director of Benetvision: A Resource and Research Center for Contemporary Spirituality located in Erie, Pennsylvania. A member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, she is past president of the conference of American Benedictine Prioresses. Sister Chittister is a noted international speaker whose addresses focus on women in church and society, human rights, peace and justice, and spirituality. The most recent of her 26 books is Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.

More information:

 

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Send comments or suggestions regarding this website to Don Ulin at  ulin+@pitt.edu