The Library is partnering with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center to offer the program “Civil Conversation in an Angry Age” on Friday, March 8th at 5:30pm in the Library Community Room. This will be an interactive presentation by visiting philosopher and religious studies scholar David E. Smith.
Dr. Smith’s presentation poses these questions: at what point does a conversation become a battle? Why do some opinions inflame our emotions, leading to anger, fights, and even the end of relationships? He will offer a deep look at those moments when civility breaks down. By mapping the structure of how we converse, and digging into the root causes of both civility and incivility, Smith explores how we can have meaningful, respectful conversations on notoriously difficult topics like politics, religion, and morality.
In our increasingly polarized political environment, Smith provides participants with the tools needed to embark upon more thoughtful, fruitful discussions.
David Smith holds a PhD in religious studies from Temple University. For the past decade he has held roles as a lecturer, assistant professor, and associate professor of philosophy and religious studies. He currently teaches at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington and is a 2019 scholar for the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program.
This is part of a 2-day program series focused on community-building through conversation, co-sponsored by the Lopez Library and the Lopez Island Family Resource Center. The second program will be on Saturday, March 9th at 3pm, and is a community conversation about the PBS documentary film, American Creed.