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Lecture Series

What It Means to Be Human

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    The natural limits of the human body make us vulnerable and therefore dependent on others. Yet American law and policy disregard these stubborn facts, with statutes and judicial decisions that presume people to be autonomous, defined by their capacity to choose.

    On Aug. 19, O. Carter Snead will discuss the core ideas of his book, “What It Means to Be Human.” Snead makes the case for a new paradigm, one that better represents the gifts and challenges of being human. Inspired by the insights of Alasdair MacIntyre and Charles Taylor, Snead proposes a vision of human identity and flourishing that supports those who are profoundly vulnerable and dependent—children, the disabled, and the elderly.

    This lecture is livestream only. A free livestream of this lecture will be available to view at noon Eastern on Aug. 19.

    O. Carter Snead, J.D.
    O. Carter Snead
    University of Notre Dame

    Professor of Law, Director, de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture

    Carter Snead is professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, concurrent professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, and the director of Notre Dame’s de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture. He is one of the world’s leading experts on public bioethics – the governance of science, medicine, and biotechnology in the name of ethical goods. His research explores issues relating to neuroethics, enhancement, human-embryo research, assisted reproduction, abortion, and end-of-life decision-making. He is most recently the author of What It Means to Be Human: The Case for the Body in Public Bioethics (Harvard University Press, 2020), named one of the ten best books of the year by the Wall Street Journal and winner of the 2021 Expanded Reason Award.

    Event Details

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    Start Date

    End Date
    Schedule

    12:00 p.m. Lecture begins
    12:40 p.m. Q&A
    1:00 p.m. Lecture ends

    Tickets

    Event livestream is free and will be available to view @ 12 noon Eastern on August 19.

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