Fall Ethics Series Brings Noted Speakers to Campus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2006
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Marcel Daguerre, Philosophy
530-898-4840
Fall Ethics Series Brings Noted Speakers to Campus
The Center for Applied and Professional Ethics (CAPE) at California State University, Chico has announced its fall 2006 series of four forums. The first event in the series, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, will address the issue of climate change and responsible action. It features a multi-disciplinary panel drawn from across the University.
The second event, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, will bring noted ethicist Gerald Dworkin to discuss moral paternalism. Dworkin's talk is co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the First Year Experience program.
On Nov. 8, a panel of experts will consider the future of California agriculture and the threat presented to it by urban sprawl. There will be an emphasis on the situation as it presents itself in Chico.
The final event, on Nov. 15, will feature nationally known bioethicist David Magnus, Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics. He will be discussing the challenges ethicists face in keeping pace with rapid technological change. Magnus' talk is co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the First Year Experience program.
The seminars are free and open to the public.
Part I: Just Hot Air or Real Cause for Concern: Human Activities and Climate Change
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7:30, PAC 134
Earth's climate is changing. How much of the change is attributable to human activity? Businesses and governments who adopt measures to "green" their operations incur an economic burden that others do not bear. What obligations do we have to act, even when others will not? What steps would be most effective, environmentally and economically, in lessening the impact of human activity on our climate? This forum will look at the challenges we face, the moral obligations we have, and potential solutions to the problem of climate change.
Panelists:
Jim Houpis, Dean, College of Natural Sciences
Jim Pushnik, Department of Biological Sciences
Randy Larsen, Environmental ethicist and host of the radio show EcoTalk.
Jeff Price, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Part II: California Agriculture: Sustainable or Doomed?
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:30, PAC 134
California is one of the most productive and diverse farming areas in the world, yet it is losing farmland at a dramatic rate. In northern California, we are beginning to see the congestion and sprawl familiar in other parts of the state. Will this trend continue? Is it part of the price we must pay for economic health? Much of Chico's quality of life is connected with the fresh produce, open spaces, biodiversity, and ground water recharge associated with farming and ranching. What is the relationship between sustainable growth and sustainable agriculture? What cost/benefit trade-offs do we face? What does Chico's future hold?
Panelists:
Lee Altier, College of Agriculture (moderator)
Tom Imhoff, Environmental ethicist, Department of Philosophy
Holly King, Great Valley Center
Tod Kimmelshue, Butte County Farm Bureau
Jim Saake, Northern California Regional Land Trust
Jane Dolan, Butte County Supervisor
Two-Part Book-in-Common Series
This series features two topics related to themes in CSU, Chico's Book-in-Common, "Never Let Me Go," by Kazuo Ishiguro. The talks will not assume familiarity with the book and will be suitable for all. They are co-sponsored by the office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the First Year Experience Program.
Part I: Justified Deception and Ethical Coercion: When is Paternalism Morally Permissible?
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30, PAC 144 (Harlen Adams Theatre)
Speaker: Gerald Dworkin, Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Davis
Doctors do not tell their patients the truth about their medical condition. A physician may tell the wife of a man whose car went off a bridge that he died instantly, when in fact he died a rather ghastly death. A husband may hide sleeping pills from his depressed wife. A teacher may be less than honest about telling a student that he has little philosophical ability.
The government requires people to contribute to a pension system (Social Security). It requires motorcyclists to wear helmets. It forbids people from swimming at a public beach when lifeguards are not present. It forbids the sale of various drugs deemed to be ineffective and/or harmful.
The civil law does not allow the enforcement of certain kinds of contracts, e.g., for gambling debts. It requires minors to have blood transfusions even if their religious beliefs forbid it. Persons may be civilly committed if they are a danger to themselves.
Are any of these justified policies?
Part II: Social and Ethical Consequences of the Genetic and Cellular Revolution
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 7:30, PAC 144 (Harlen Adams Theatre)
Speaker: David Magnus, Director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics
Technological innovation in genetics, genomics, stem cell research, cloning and other technological advances have the potential to transform the human landscape from extending lives to changing the nature of the food we eat. These transformations will also create social and ethical challenges that are best addressed prospectively rather reactively. Major challenges to be discussed include issues of privacy, ownership, eugenics, justice and the meaning of family.
The Center for Applied and Professional Ethics (CAPE) promotes ethical reflection about issues of concern within and outside the University. For more information on the center, contact the director, Marcel Daguerre, at 530-898-4840.
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