March 4, 2024

SVSU professor to discuss moral psychology, political disagreement and relevance of George Orwell

It has been nearly 75 years since the publication of George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four,” yet that dystopian novel, and other works by Orwell, remain relevant today. A lecture by Peter Rose-Barry, Finkbeiner Endowed Professor of Ethics at Saginaw Valley State University, will offer insights into why this is so.

In his presentation, “Why Orwell Still Matters: What We Can Learn from Reading George Orwell Today,” Rose-Barry will discuss themes of power, propaganda and surveillance and how moral psychology informs social and political disagreement. The lecture, part of the Albert J. Beutler Forums on Ethics & Practice, will be held Wednesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall at SVSU. It is free and open to the public.

Rose-Barry, who joined SVSU’s faculty in 2005, has published several papers on ethics and social and political philosophy. He has also authored three books, including “George Orwell: The Ethics of Equality,” published by Oxford University Press. He completed a Ph.D. at the University of Florida, a master’s degree at Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The Albert J. Beutler Forums for Ethics and Practice examine contemporary issues related to ethical practice and behavior. The forum series was established to honor Dr. Albert J. Beutler’s distinguished career in higher education, concluding with his service to SVSU as executive director of the SVSU Foundation until his retirement in 1995.