Joseph Mendola, professor in the Department of Philosophy, will start the 2021 CAS Inquire lecture series with "Pain and Pleasure in Philosophy" on September 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Union Swanson Auditorium. The talk is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed on Zoom. Register for the Zoom link at go.unl.edu/casinq9_7.
The CAS Inquire program gives students the chance to connect with college thought leaders and other inquisitive students to discuss ideas, built around a college-wide series of public lectures. After launching in 2019 with the theme "Rise of the Machines" and a year in hiatus, the program continues this year with the theme "Pleasure and Pain."
Mendola's talk will explore fundamental questions about the theme.
"There is a long tradition of discussion in philosophy of two questions about pain and pleasure," he said. "What is their nature? What role do they play in a good life?"
The series includes five lectures in five disciplines, culminating in a panel discussion with all the speakers in March.
During the three-year program, CAS Inquire students take specialized courses, help with facilitating the program, and enjoy additional benefits. They can apply, or be nominated by faculty, for the program as freshmen.
