Professor Kevin P. Clements will present the 2010 lecture.
Theories of competitive and possessive individualism lie at the heart of the Neo-Liberal economic agenda and a zero sum view of democratic politics. This lecture argues that these theories are based on a profound misunderstanding of the key drivers of human behaviour. It proposes that far from being “hard wired” for competition, human beings are “hard wired” for social bonding and connection. The lecture will explore some of the psychological and sociological sources of altruism and reflect on how narrow or wide are our boundaries of compassion. This question will be addressed through the concept of a “grievable community” or “who are we willing to mourn for?”
Professor Kevin P. Clements
Foundation Chair of Peace and Conflict Studies and
Director, The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies,
University of Otago
Wednesday 18 August
6.45pm Reception followed by the lecture at 7.30pm
Library B15, The University of Auckland
Kevin Clements is the Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago. He was formerly Professor at the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, the University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia and at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University Fairfax Virginia.
Co-sponsored by St David’s Presbyterian Church, 70 Khyber Pass Rd, who will host the Ferguson Lecture on Friday 20 August.