St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture Series Continues

The next two lectures in the Door Community Auditorium St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture Series will delve into the free market economics of Adam Smith and the troubling nature of Shakespeare’s plays.

Dr. Paul Johnson continues the lecture series on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 9 am. His lecture, “The Moral Ground of the Free Market System in Adam Smith,” will focus on the moral dimension of Adam Smith’s thought with the intention of showing how his moral insights might guide and constrain the practice of capitalism and free trade today.

Dr. Johnson, associate professor of philosophy at St. Norbert since 2004, joined the faculty in 1990. He received his bachelor and masters degrees in philosophy from Northern Illinois University, and his Ph.D., in philosophy from the University of Illinois.

Then on Saturday, March 6, Dr. Edward L. Risden examines “Shakespeare’s Problem Plays: Why Do We Call Them Problems?” During his presentation, Dr. Risden will consider several plays, observing how part of Shakespeare’s greatness lies in irresolution rather than in satisfying happy (or even unhappy) endings.

Dr. Risden is professor of English at St. Norbert, where he has taught since 1990. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, graduating magna cum laude. His master of arts in English came from John Carroll University and he received his Ph.D., in English from Purdue University.

St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture series is free and open to the public. Doors open at 8 am and the lecture begins at 9 am. Time will be allotted for questions following the lecture. Refreshments will be available for purchase prior to the lecture. Door Community Auditorium is located at the north end of Fish Creek adjacent to Gibraltar Schools on State Highway 42.