Constructive Dialogue in a Divided Age
What Universities Can Teach About Listening, Learning, and Truth
Event Details
A conversation with Robert P. George and Cornel West
As the nation heads into a highly polarized midterm election season, UW–Madison welcomes Professor Robert P. George and Dr. Cornel West for a timely conversation on pluralism, civil dialogue, and the value of constructive disagreement. Drawing on themes from their recent book, Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division, the two scholars will explore how people with deeply different views can engage one another with respect while pursuing truth and the common good.
Hosted by Interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots, this event will explore the vital role universities play in creating spaces where diverse perspectives are welcomed, challenged, and thoughtfully debated, and how this strengthens our campus, communities, and democracy. UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, and friends are invited.
We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please email wisconsin.exchange@wisc.edu to make a disability-related accommodation request. Requests should be made by Wednesday, October 14, 2026, though reasonable effort will be made to support late accommodation requests.