For most people outside the region, UND is most closely associated with its
hockey program or the nationally-recognized John D. Odegard School of
Aerospace Sciences.
But one professor is hoping to make UND and the state
recognized for something else — the spread and discourse of public
philosophy.
Because of a five-year, $195,000 grant from the North Dakota Humanities
Council, associate professor of philosophy Jack Weinstein was able to form
the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life at the university.
Weinstein said the mission of the institute is to foster a statewide or
larger philosophical conversation. More specifically, it aims to bridge the
increasing gap between jargon-filled academic philosophy and the often
undisciplined general philosophy.
“What I want to do is show how the academic research that philosophers
are doing is relevant and important to day-to-day life,” he said. “More than
anything else, the institute is a translation device — it’s the Babel fish
of philosophy.”
The institute will attempt to accomplish this lofty goal through a film
series, public discussions across the state and a lecture series.
Weinstein also will host a call-in philosophy radio program broadcast
once a month on public radio stations across the state. He said this program
is the first of its kind in the country, and should bring about discussion
between academics and people unfamiliar with the field.
“I’m trying to illustrate that academic research in philosophy and the
philosophical discussion that goes on in everyday life are part of the same
project,” he said.
Weinstein said the show is targeting “everybody,” but first and foremost
“people who are interested in ideas.” The show, titled “Why? Philosophical
Discussions for Everyday Life” will be available for live streaming or
downloadable podcasts as well, meaning anyone in the country can listen.
It will air at 5 p.m. the second Sunday of every month, with the first
show set for Feb. 8. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is tentatively scheduled to
be a guest on the show in June.
The film series is slated to start in February or March.
Weinstein said he came up with the idea for the institute and
surprisingly faced few problems convincing others his idea was a good one.
“I fully expected it would have to be something that I would progress
millimeter by millimeter, not even inch by inch,” he said.
Last summer, he contacted new NDHC executive director Brenna Daugherty,
as well as director of radio Bill Thomas at Prairie Public Broadcasting.
Both were on board with the project almost immediately, he said.
The College of Arts and Sciences, which houses the philosophy program,
also helped in its forming. The college provided Weinstein with an office
for the institute’s visiting fellows and also helped to lessen his course
load as a professor.
He said it will be a good fit in the region and may even help address
some important issues of today.
“UND needs to fight against the anti-intellectualism that is overtaking
our culture and, frankly, the university,” he said. “The institute is a tool
in that battle.”
The institute will formally begin operating after gaining approval by the
State Board of Higher Education, which is expected within the next few
weeks.
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send
e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com.
