Here are the details for the next USyd Postgrad Work in Progress talk: Speaker: Brenton Dart
Title: Truthfulness, Liberalism and Barack Obama In his inaugural lecture as the Chichele professor of political and social theory at the University of Oxford, Jeremy Waldron asked where the focus of our political investigations should be, in ‘institutions’ or in ‘the characters of those who inhabit them’. In this paper I investigate the concept of truthfulness in the institutions of a liberal state. For this I turn to John Rawls and Bernard Williams to establish the terms of this investigation: what are the rights and obligations that distinguish a liberal state from other polities? What are the consequences of these rights and obligations when it comes to truthfulness? Can truth be a liberal value? And can forms of deception be justified in liberalism? These questions are framed around current issues of truthfulness and deception in a liberal society, in particular those regarding the Obama administration. >From this I posit that forms of secrecy can (potentially) be justified in a liberal society. To conclude, I respond to Waldron’s question by stating that the character of political actors are a warranted part of an enquiry into our political institutions. Time: 4:30pm, Mon Sep 2 Location: Philosophy Common Room, Main Quad, University of Sydney Hope to see you all there, Simon Varey Postgraduate Colloquium Co-ordinator
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