CCU hosting philosophical discussion about honesty
Christian Miller, professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University, will reflect on empirical methods that allow people to assess their character in terms of honesty. He is the author of "Character and Moral Psychology and Moral Character: An Empirical Theory."
Miller will discuss honesty as one of the most important virtues in society. He will explore such questions as: What does being honest mean? Are the people we know really honest, or should we assume most are not? He will examine these questions by incorporating philosophy and psychology.
"Honesty and dishonesty are clearly big topics today, with stories about politicians lying to the media, students cheating on exams and athletes using banned substances," said Miller.
In the first half of the presentation, Miller will focus on the philosophical question of what makes someone an honest person. In the second half, he will turn to the latest studies in psychology on cheating. The emerging picture suggests that dishonesty is rare, and most people are somewhere in the middle.
Miller holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. His main areas of research are meta-ethics, moral psychology, moral character, action theory and philosophy of religion.
The Tea & Ethics session is sponsored by CCU's Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values. Light refreshments will be served. The purpose of the center is to cultivate and promote awareness in the community of the importance of personal and professional integrity.
The Wall Building is located at 119 Chanticleer Drive E. on the Conway campus. For more information, contact Brian Edgerton, assistant director of the Jackson Family Center, at 843-349-4149 or email bjedgert@coastal.edu. Visit coastal.edu/humanities/centersandinitiatives/ethicsjacksoncenter for more information and a list of upcoming events.