Institute to Kick Off Fall Series with Exploration of Free Speech

Institute to Kick Off Fall Series with Exploration of Free Speech

The University of Toledo's Institute of Constitutional Thought and Leadership will tease out the limits of free speech in two faculty-led events next week.

Nathan Goetting will kick off the Institute's Fall Colloquium Series with a discussion on whether even the most radical and dangerous ideas deserve protection at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, in the Law Center's Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick Lounge.

A lunch-and-lecture event will continue the exploration of this absolutist view of free speech at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the Law Center Room 1013.

Goetting is an instructor in the College of Law and a faculty fellow at the Institute of Constitutional Thought and Leadership. The discussions reflect themes he explores in his latest book, "Free Speech Absolutism: Why the Constitution of the United States Makes Free Speech Its Most Important Right," which Ethics International Press released in April.

"I'm grateful to the Institute for inviting me to speak," Goetting said. " 'Free Speech Absolutism' argues that by legally protecting the expression of even the vilest, most unpopular and dangerous ideas we become a wiser, stronger and freer country. I look forward to explaining why this is so - and answering any criticisms - during these events."

Meals are provided at each of next week's events, and students are asked to register in advance via InvoNet.

The free speech events kick off the Institute's Fall Colloquium Series, which comprises four lively academic forums designed for students to address compelling themes, engage big ideas, ask honest questions and cultivate the habits of thoughtful civic leadership.

UToledo faculty lead each colloquium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:

• Sept. 29: "The Modern Prometheus and the Machine: A Close Reading of Frankenstein in the Age of Generative AI," presented by Dr. Ashley Pryor, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies;
• Oct. 6: "Are Racial Reparations Just? A Debate," presented by Dr. Jonathan Ashbach, an assistant professor in politics at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership; and
• Nov.3: "The Life of Publicola: Inspiration for Hamilton's 'Publius'," presented by Dr. Tony Bartl, an associate professor in the Institute for Constitutional Thought and Leadership.

To register or for more information on the Fall Colloquium Series, submit an online interest form through the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership.