Notre Dame Philosopher Meghan Sullivan to Deliver Kraemer Lecture on "Loving Strangers"

The U of A Department of Philosophy is pleased to host Meghan Sullivan, professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, as the speaker for the Kraemer Lecture at 7 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in CHEM 0132.

Her lecture, titled "Loving Strangers," explores love as a central feature of human life and a cardinal moral virtue. While love plays an undeniable role in how we understand ourselves and our relationships, philosophers over the millennia have been particularly challenged by questions about how and why we come to love other people—especially those outside our immediate circles—and what moral significance this capacity has.

About the Kraemer Lecture

The Kraemer Lecture commemorates William S. Kraemer, who served as chair of the Department of Philosophy from 1953 to 1976. This annual public lecture series brings distinguished philosophers to campus to present original research to a broad audience. The event is free and open to the public, welcoming students, faculty and members of the wider community.

About Meghan Sullivan

Sullivan is professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and director of the Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. Her research focuses on ethics, well-being and the nature of a good human life, often bridging rigorous philosophical analysis with questions of everyday moral importance.

She teaches and writes on moral philosophy, ancient ethics and contemporary debates about happiness, flourishing and moral responsibility, and is widely recognized for making philosophy accessible and relevant to public life.

About the Lecture

Title: Loving Strangers

In this lecture, Sullivan treats the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a philosophical text that can guide philosophical reflection on love and morality. She considers whether it is possible to love strangers and whether it is morally appropriate to extend love in this way. By defending a particular conception of what it means to love strangers in the modern world, Sullivan argues that this form of love should be understood as a central theme of ethics.

This promises to be a thoughtful and engaging event. Everyone is encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the Department of Philosophy's website or contact the department directly.