On Monday, December 9th, Elms College and the St Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture (CERC) will host its upcoming Distinguished Lecture in Ethics. This year’s lecture, Christian Ethics and the Rights of Nature, will be delivered by Dr. Ryan Darr, Assistant Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Environment at Yale Divinity School.
In an era marked by growing environmental concerns and legislative shifts granting legal rights to entities such as rivers, mountains, and ecosystems, Dr. Darr’s lecture will delve into the complexities of what he terms “more-than-human rights.” He will explore the ethical foundations of granting moral and legal rights to animals and non-human ecological entities, offering a perspective rooted in Christian theology.
“I am truly honored to have Professor Darr come to campus and deliver this timely Distinguished Lecture in Ethics,” said Dr. Peter DePergola ‘07, Ph.D., MTS, HEC-C, Executive Director of the CERC, Shaughness Family Chair for the Study of the Humanities, and Associate Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Elms. “This promises to be a substantive and engaging lecture for people of all faiths, spiritual traditions, and moral sentiments.”
Event Details:
WHAT: Lecture titled “Christian Ethics and the Rights of Nature”
WHERE: Alumnae Library Theatre at Elms College
WHEN: December 9, 2024 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- 4 p.m. – Media arrive and Interview opportunities with:
- Prof. Peter A. DePergola II ‘07, Ph.D., MTS, HEC-C, Executive Director of the CERC, Shaughness Family Chair for the Study of the Humanities, and Associate Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Elms
- Ryan Darr, Ph.D, distinguished lecturer and Assistant Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Environmental at Yale Divinity School
- 4:30 p.m. – Program begins in Alumnae Library Theater
About Dr. Ryan Darr
Dr. Darr is an esteemed scholar with research interests in environmental ethics, multispecies justice, and structural injustice. At Yale Divinity School, he examines ethical theories in the context of today’s environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss and climate change. His latest book, The Best Effect: Theology and the Origins of Consequentialism, was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2024, and he is currently working on a second book addressing environmental multispecies justice.