Clemson University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities Todd May will deliver the Charles H. Townes Lecture on Faith and Reason Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in Shaw Hall of the Melvin and Dollie Younts Conference Center on the Furman University campus.<\/p>\n
May\u2019s talk, \u201cSpirituality and the Meaning of Life,\u201d is free and open to the public. A book-signing and reception will follow his remarks.<\/p>\n
May will also speak Wednesday, April 17, at a noon luncheon presentation in the Birmingham Room of Younts Conference Center. His hour-long talk, \u201cNorms and\u00a0Nonviolence,\u201d is free and open to the public by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are requested by Tuesday, April 9, by calling 864-294-3777 or emailing RSVP@furman.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n May is the Class of 1941 Memorial Professor of Humanities in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Clemson University. He serves as the philosophy adviser to the NBC hit show \u201cThe Good Place.\u201d<\/p>\n May received his B.A. from Brown University, an M.A. in psychology from Duquesne University and his Ph.D. in philosophy from Penn State University.<\/p>\n May is author, co-author or editor of over 15 books including: \u201cA Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us\u201d (2019 University of Chicago Press), \u201cA Fragile Life: Accepting Our Vulnerability\u201d (2017, University of Chicago Press), \u201cA Significant Life: Human Meaning in a Silent Universe\u201d (2015, University of Chicago Press), \u201cFriendship in an Age of Economics: Resisting the Forces of Neoliberalism\u201d (2012, Lexington Press), \u201cDeath\u201d (2009, Acumen Press), and \u201cOur Practices, Our Selves, Or, What it Means to be Human\u201d (2001, Penn State University Press).<\/p>\n In addition to these academic publications, his work has frequently appeared in public outlets. May is a regular contributor to \u201cThe Stone\u201d column of The New York Times. His most recent work bridges philosophy, morality and popular culture.<\/p>\n Given his vast experience and unique interests, May\u2019s talk will appeal to those interested in morality, culture, science, and the dynamic interplay between these aspects that contribute to who we are as humans.<\/p>\n For more information, contact Assistant Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department Kyle Longest at 864-294-3303, and kyle.longest@furman.edu<\/a>. Or contact the Furman University News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.<\/p>\n