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An essay exploring one of the foundations of ethical behavior is next on tap in West Texas A&M University’s Great Books Series.
Dr. Daniel Bloom, associate professor of philosophy in WT’s Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages, will lead the discussion of Soren Kierkegaard’s “You Shall Love Your Neighbor” at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 via Zoom.
“Kierkegaard, an influential 19th-century Danish philosopher, argues that, on its surface, the command to ‘love thy neighbor’ seems to make no sense,” Bloom said. “Ultimately, we must do some work to understand what the commandment really means.”
The discussion series — sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages — is open to those who either have or haven’t read the book, Bloom said.
“Everyone is welcome,” Bloom said. “Typically we begin with an introduction of the text from the presenter and then the meeting turns into a group discussion. Each meeting is different, depending on the text we discuss and the interests of the audience.”
WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly discussions.
The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held in person on the second Tuesday of the month at Burrowing Owl Books, 7406 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 2B, in Amarillo. It shifted to Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic; a return to in-person meetings is expected to occur in 2021.
Previous discussions have featured Plato’s “Republic,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Olalla,” Jorge Luis Borges’ “El Sur” and more.
To register for the September discussion, email Bloom at dbloom@wtamu.edu.
The series is one way in which WT serves the region by offering engagement with a variety of literary and philosophical texts. Being a learner-centered university is a key principle of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
-West Texas A&M University