Baylor Hosts Philosophy Homecoming Lecture

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Dr. Robert Baird, professor and master teacher of philosophy at Baylor University, will present "Philosophy's Lesson: Reasoned Commitment in the Face of Uncertainty" at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Room 105 of Morrison Hall on the Baylor campus.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is the Baylor Department of Philosophy's fourth annual Homecoming lecture. A reception will follow Baird's lecture.

Baird will speak about evaluating differing views on controversial issues. He will examine how the study of philosophy involves weighing evidence, committing to one side of an argument and identifying new evidence that defends the alternative view.

"I hope students understand through this lecture the role that philosophy can play in our lives," Baird said. "Philosophy is the most practical of all disciplines because it deals with values, and there is nothing more important in our lives than values."

Baird earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor and his doctorate from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

Baird joined the Baylor faculty in 1968 and became chair of the Philosophy Department in 1987. He serves as the University Ombudsperson for Faculty.

In 1994, Baird was named a Piper Professor in Texas for scholarly and academic achievement by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. In 2005, he received the Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year award, an annual award presented to a Baylor faculty member who makes an outstanding contribution to the learning environment.

Morrison Hall is located on the northwest intersection of South Fifth Street and Speight Avenue.

For more information, contact the Philosophy Department at (254) 710- 3368

by Lillyan Baker, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805