Joseph Mendola, professor of philosophy, will kick off the College of Arts and Sciences’ 2021 Inquire lecture series with “Pain and Pleasure in Philosophy” at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Nebraska Union’s Swanson Auditorium.

Mendola

The talk, which is free and open to the public, will also be live streamed on Zoom. Those interested can register for the Zoom link at go.unl.edu/casinq9_7.

The CAS Inquire program gives students the chance to connect with college thought leaders and other inquisitive students, discussing ideas via a collegewide series of public lectures. After launching in 2019 with the theme “Rise of the Machines,” the program continues this year with the theme “Pleasure and Pain.”

Mendola’s talk will explore fundamental questions about the theme.

“There is a long tradition of discussion in philosophy of two questions about pain and pleasure,” Mendola said. “What is their nature? What role do they play in a good life?”

The series includes five lectures in five disciplines, culminating in a panel discussion with all of the speakers in March.

During the three-year program, CAS Inquire students take specialized courses, help with facilitating the program, and enjoy additional benefits. Interested students can apply to the program, or be nominated for it by faculty, as freshmen.