Wednesday, May 15, 7-9 p.m. at The Other Side (2011 Genesee Street, Utica)
The workshop will be presented by philosopher, activist, scholar and anarchist Rick Werner, John Stewart Kennedy Professor of Philosophy Emeritus – Hamilton College.
The goal of the workshop will be to explore participant’s own conception of the social ideal with respect to social justice in an attempt through open and free discussion—where folks are treated as equals, everyone speaks, and all are heard—to inform themselves and reach something approaching consensus about the ideal just society. Without a social ideal, we have no way to guide ourselves toward the future, no way to know where we are going or how to get there, no way to settle disputes about social justice from different political points of view. We become one-dimensional people incapable of imagining a better world, trapped in the indifferent and unjust world as it is, which leaves many of us with a sense of despair and hopelessness.
Please come to the workshop with a prepared written modest proposal of your idea of a just society. Make it short. Be prepared to offer your proposal to the group and for all of us to consider with both respect and intelligence and always with kindness in the hope of gaining consensus through our discussion by learning together. Free and open to the public.
This event is sponsored by the Anti-fascist Book Club, Black Rose Anarchist Federation, and the Upstate NY Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
