Ethically Speaking
Ethically Speaking: Ethics in Public Life is the annual lecture series of The Center for Practical Ethics. Each year, a distinguished public thinker engages the community—students, faculty, staff, and the public—in a conversation about ethics as it shapes civic affairs, public life, professional responsibility, policy, and global issues. These lectures explore broad, foundational ethical concerns that crosscut multiple disciplines and impact society as a whole. The series encourages thoughtful reflection, civil discourse, and a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions that influence our shared world.
Ethically Speaking 2025
Guest Speaker: Brandon Warmke, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University
Event Overview:
5 p.m. | Wine and Cheese Reception
6 p.m. | Presentation and Q&A
7 p.m. | Event Concludes
April 11, 2025
Bryant Hall Gallery
The University of Mississippi
Brandon Warmke is the co-author of Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk. The book explores the rise of self-serving moral posturing in the internet age. Blending insights from psychology, economics, and political science, they reveal why people grandstand, how it distorts public discourse, and why it’s a problem no matter your moral philosophy. Through sharp analysis and real-world examples from across the political spectrum, they distinguish grandstanding from virtue signaling and offer a path toward more meaningful, productive conversations.
For details on upcoming Just Conversations events and other activities, visit our Calendar of Events.
Watch:
Ethically Speaking 2024
In 2024, we were honored to host Sigal Ben-Porath of the University of Pennsylvania, who spoke on her 2022 book, Cancel Wars.