This talk focuses on the question of "what" precisely divides people on the abortion issue. What are the real sources of the polarization and lack of dialogue? Is it revival ideas of freedom, of person, of equality, of religion, and the role of the state? In the words of Charles Camosy, “placing oneself on either side of the typical polarizations — pro-life vs. pro-choice, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican — only serves to further confuse the debate and limits our ability to have fruitful dialogue.” Our COVID response for our lectures: Our in-person attendance is limited in accordance with the City of Austin’s most current Covid guidelines. In-person attendance is offered on a first come first serve basis. All other participants will be emailed a Zoom link. About our scholar Dr. Christopher Kaczor Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University Dr. Kaczor (rhymes with razor) graduated from the Honors Program of Boston College and earned a Ph.D. four years later from the University of Notre Dame. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Kaczor did post-doctoral work as a Federal Chancellor Fellow at the University of Cologne and as William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in the James Madison Program at Princeton University. He was appointed a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life of Vatican City, a fellow of the Word on Fire Institute, and winner of a Templeton Grant. He has written more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters. An award winning author, his fifteen books include Disputes in Bioethics, Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues, Abortion Rights: For and Against, The Gospel of Happiness, The Seven Big Myths about Marriage, A Defense of Dignity, The Ethics of Abortion, Life Issues-Medical Choices; Thomas Aquinas on Faith, Hope, and Love; The Edge of Life, and Proportionalism and the Natural Law Tradition. Dr. Kaczor’s views have been in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, National Review, NPR, BBC, EWTN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, MSNBC, TEDx, and The Today Show. About this semester's themes: The Great Divides Polarization is a buzz word and all one has to do is spend a few minutes on the internet or watching TV to figure out why. On issue after issue, we are divided. From constitutional law to climate change to the relationship between religion and science, the spring 2021 semester's programming at the Austin Institute is designed to convey a sense of the landscape, to map out many of the biggest disagreements separating Americans.

Program description: What is the nature and meaning of human sexual difference? Is it a stable reality given to us by nature and nature's God for fixed and discernable purposes that pertain to not only body and biology, but also soul and spirit? Is it an evolved (and evolving) trait best explained in terms of its capacity to prolong the survival of megalomaniacal genes? Or is it rather a kind of illusion whose appearance is held in place by social and political forces that seek to maintain their privilege and power? This talk explores the fundamental presuppositions and positions of three rival theories of human sexual difference: The Thomistic, Evolutionary, and Post-structuralist. Having summarized the conclusions and foundations of each school of thought, it reflects on how often unheeded foundational differences account for much of why we too often talk past each other, seeming to inhabit different worlds, when speaking of sexual difference. Our COVID response for our lectures Our in-person attendance is limited in accordance with the City of Austin’s most current Covid guidelines. In-person attendance is offered on a first come first serve basis. All other participants will be emailed a Zoom link. About our scholar Professor Timothy Fortin Assistant Professor and Chair of Philosophical Theology, Seton Hall University Timothy P. Fortin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Chair of Philosophical Theology, earned an M.A. in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, Arlington, VA. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy. His doctoral dissertation is titled, Fatherhood and Perfection of Masculine Identity: A Thomistic Account in Light of Contemporary Science. Dr. Fortin’s areas of specialization include the philosophy of psychology and the philosophy of fatherhood. Among his classes are History of Philosophy I, Philosophy of Being and Philosophy of Nature. About this semester's themes: The Great Divides Polarization is a buzz word and all one has to do is spend a few minutes on the internet or watching TV to figure out why. On issue after issue, we are divided. From constitutional law to climate change to the relationship between religion and science, the spring 2021 semester's programming at the Austin Institute is designed to convey a sense of the landscape, to map out many of the biggest disagreements separating Americans.

Is it still possible to talk about the law and about lawyers as men and women whose desire and vocation is justice, whose interests go beyond honoraria and clients’ immediate “victories?" If not, was this ever the case. If it was, what happened? Dr. Orlandi will explore these questions with the eyes of a foreign-trained lawyer and by focusing on the role that the virtue of prudence might play in answering some, if not all of them. About Our Scholar Marianna Orland, Avv. Ph.D. Associate Director of Academic Programs Marianna Orlandi received her Ph.D. in Law from the University of Padua, Italy, and from the University of Innsbruck, Austria. Prior to moving to Texas, she was a 2019-2020 James Madison Associate Research Scholar and Lecturer in the Department of Politics at Princeton University. She was admitted to the Italian bar in 2015 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Padua. She practiced as a criminal lawyer in Milan and worked in the United States as a policy research analyst. Her interests and research focus on issues of life, and on its legal and international protection, in particular through the lens of criminal law. About this year's theme for our programs: Prudence: a Word, a Virtue, a Theme This year, following the requests of our students, the Austin Institute has developed its academic programming around a common theme that will unify the activities of the semester. The focus of our fall programming is on the most underestimated and yet most needed virtue of prudence. Prudence will also guide our practical choices for our programs. All in-person and/or online programming conform to current health guidelines. We want to keep everyone safe while providing program opportunities during this pandemic.