Ethics Between the Lines
The Center for the Study of Ethics in Society is hosting a series of book clubs during the Spring 2024 semester. Participants will purchase and read the books on their own, then join the discussion leaders for lively conversations. Participants will receive information about the meetings about one week before the first meeting. The first 10 sign-ups receive a free book.
Students who attend all scheduled meetings of their book club earn Signature credit.
All groups are open to everyone.
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. Paul Pancella, professor of physics, and Victoria Vuletich, founder of Ethics Squared based in Grand Rapids, will lead the discussions. In this acclaimed novel, a young, white female aspiring author obtains a completed, but unknown, draft of a potential best-selling novel from an Asian-American colleague who dies unexpectedly. She decides to revise, complete, and publish it as her own work. Ethical issues include plagiarism, dishonesty, racism and “cancel culture.” This book is the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Reading Together 2024 pick. The author will give a talk at Chenery Auditorium on March 23. Meetings will take place 6-7 p.m. Mondays January 29, February 5 and February 12 in 3120 Sangren Hall. Visitor parking available next to Sangren Hall in Lots 68 and 69.
Unshrinking (2024) by Kate Manne. Noa Dahan, a part-time instructor in the Department of Philosophy, will lead the discussions. Manne highlights fatphobia as a social justice issue that has received insufficient attention. The book tackles ethical questions in arguing that harmful treatment of (and biases against) others on the basis of body size is a moral and political problem on the societal level. The book will argue that the solution to the harms of fatphobia will not be individualistic self-love, but instead will require societal transformation, like other social issues. Meetings will take place 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays March 13, March 20, March 27 and April 3 in 3014 Moore Hall. Visitor parking available behind Moore Hall in Lot 77.
The Women Are Up to Something (2022) by Benjamin Lipscomb. Daniel Kosacz, a part-time instructor in the Department of Philosophy, will lead the discussions. This book traces the lives and ideas of four philosophers — G.E.M. Anscombe, Philippa Foot, Mary Midgley, and Iris Murdoch — who were instrumental in the revival of virtue ethics during the mid-20th century. The book explores their view that the virtues —such as courage, discernment, justice and love —are key to living a good life. Meetings will take place 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays March 26, April 2, April 9 and April 16 in 3014 Moore Hall. Visitor parking available behind Moore Hall in Lot 77.
Got an idea for a book club? The Center's advisory board reviews proposals in November and March.
To see a list of previous Ethics Center book clubs, click here.