2025 Schedule
College for a Day 2025
January 13, 2025
“Seeking Ren in the Analects: A Brief Introduction to Confucianism”
Dr. Zhen Liang
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Sweet Briar College
This lecture will provide a brief introduction of Confucian philosophy by examining its most central concept — ren. Commonly translated as Goodness, authoritative humanity, perfect virtue, benevolence, etc., ren is the ethical ideal for which every Confucian strives. Nevertheless, Confucius never provided an explicit definition of the most central concept of his teaching. The presentation will focus on a quest for ren through the Analects to examine the various answers regarding ren that Confucius gives to his different disciples. Through the analysis of these representative passages, the heart and spirit of Confucianism will be revealed.
“Becoming Carbon Neutral at Smith College: The Geothermal Energy Project”
Dr. Beth Hooker
Administrative Director of the Center for the Environment, Ecological Design, and Sustainability
Smith College
Smith College is making big moves to address the world’s climate crisis through its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and its $210 million investment in geothermal energy. Smith is a true pioneer in sustainability as shown by the construction project to transform the campus- wide heating and cooling system. Education is the hallmark of this success: Smith explicitly links impact with its mission and is committed to shaping climate leaders who can address society’s challenges.
“The Liberal Arts and The Myth of Thinking for Yourself”
Dr. Simon Feldman
Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy
Connecticut College
The current political culture war over higher education is often framed as a debate about whether colleges and universities are indoctrination mills, churning out “woke” knee-jerk progressive students, little more than copies of the faculty who are “teaching” them. This talk investigates whether it should be the aim of a liberal arts education to cultivate students’ ability to think for themselves and argues, provocatively, that there are better frameworks for defending the mission and practices of the liberal arts.