Human beings are born and raised in communities with others. Members of communities share values, priorities, expectations, and assumptions which are reinforced in interactions with others and which can provide predictability, security, and peaceful avenues through which individuals can flourish. But there is usually a tension between those things that community members share and individuals’ aspirations that seem to depart from or threaten those shared standards, often leading to restrictions of individual liberty. Ed Hudgins will explore the dynamics of communities and show how a rational moral standard can enhance communities while allowing each individual to flourish.
A widely cited speaker and author, TAS Executive Director Ed Hudgins earned his Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from Catholic University.