Philosophy Department Presents Spellman Lecture With Professor Barbara Herman of UCLA

Upcoming Lecture: "Why Kant's Kingdom of Ends Needs a Doctrine of Means" by Professor Barbara Herman 

Join us for the annual Lynne and James Spellman Lecture in the History of Philosophy, featuring Professor Barbara Herman, Griffin Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law at UCLA. The lecture will take place on Friday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Graduate Education Auditorium (GRAD 163). 

Lecture Overview 

Herman's talk, titled "Why Kant's Kingdom of Ends Needs a Doctrine of Means," will delve into a pivotal aspect of Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy as outlined in his seminal work, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. A central tenet of Kant's ethics is that human beings are ends-in-themselves and must never be treated merely as means. This idea leads to the concept of a "kingdom of ends," a realm where moral agents collectively will their ends. 

Herman will argue that to will ends, one must also will the necessary means. This brings to light a collective moral responsibility to ensure that individuals have access to the resources needed to pursue their goals. Thus, she posits that the framework of social justice is integral to Kant's abstract principles of moral action. 

About Professor Barbara Herman 

Herman is an esteemed philosopher with appointments in both the Law School and Philosophy Department at UCLA. Her academic contributions span moral philosophy, Kant's ethics, the history of ethics, and social and political philosophy, making her a leading voice in contemporary discussions of moral thought. She has published in many leading philosophy journals, including The Journal of Philosophy, Philosophy and Public Affairs, Inquiry, Nous, Ethics, Philosophical Studies, The Kantian Review and The Canadian Journal of Philosophy, among others. She has published four books, including The Practice of Moral Judgment and The Moral Habitat. All of her work reflects her rigorous analysis and innovative interpretations of Kantian ethics. 

Having studied under prominent philosophers like Stanley Cavell and John Rawls, Herman's work has received widespread acclaim for its depth and clarity. Kant scholar Paul Guyer and legal theorist Lawrence Solum have praised her ability to bridge complex philosophical concepts with accessible arguments, reinforcing her reputation as a significant figure in moral philosophy. 

Her service to the profession has also been significant: she has served on countless committees, promoting excellence in the profession and inclusion of voices historically underrepresented in the discipline. She is an excellent and stimulating adviser to many UCLA graduate students, a number of whom have gone on to have impressive philosophical careers of their own, including Stephen White, C. Thi Nguyen, Sonny Elizondo, Jonathan Garthoff and Julie Tennenbaum (among others). 

About the Lecture Series 

This lecture series honors the legacy of Lynne Spellman, a professor emerita and former chair of the Department of Philosophy at the U of A, and her husband, Jim. Their contributions to the field of philosophy and academia are celebrated through this annual event. 

We invite all students, faculty and members of the community to attend this engaging lecture. Don't miss the opportunity to gain insights from Herman's profound understanding of Kantian ethics and its implications for contemporary moral philosophy! 

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