Faith and Society lecture features philosophy professor on Nov. 15

ASHLAND, Ohio – Kevin Vallier, an associate professor of philosophy and director of the Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL) program at Bowling Green State University, will be the guest at the next edition of Ashland University’s Faith and Society lecture series on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The event, which is free and open to the public, is set to take place at the College of Education’s Ronk Auditorium starting at 7 p.m.

Vallier’s presentation is “Christian Opposition to Liberalism: The Case of Catholic Integralism.” He will examine Catholic integralism and then criticize the ideology on three grounds, as he contends that “a modern society cannot transition to integralism without violating Catholic moral teaching. Second, integralists cannot stabilize their regime even if they reach it. Finally, an integralist regime allows considerable injustice, even when working well.”

A faculty member at Bowling Green since 2012, Vallier’s areas of specialization include political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of religion and philosophy, politics and economics. He has authored four monographs, including the forthcoming “All the Kingdoms of the World,” as well as “Trust in a Polarized Age,” “Must Politics Be War? Restoring Our Trust in the Open Society” and “Liberal Politics and Public Faith: Beyond Separation.” He also has five edited volumes and more than 50 peer-reviewed book chapters and journal articles to his credit.

Vallier majored in philosophy with a minor in economics while earning a bachelor’s degree at Washington University in St. Louis and holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Arizona.

The ongoing Faith and Society lecture series is designed to give Ashland students and the Ashland community the opportunity to hear experts discuss critical topics of faith and its implications in contemporary society. It is sponsored by the Hilda E. Bretzlaff Foundation. For more information, contact Dennis Monokroussos at dmonokro@ashland.edu or 419-289-5154.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.