Advancing Hospitality
Diálogos: Dinner and Discussion to Nurture Intellectual Hospitality
Historically speaking, universities have always valued pursuing truth with a spirit of discovery. Though highly aspirational, this is only possible when a community values intellectual hospitality -- the sustained practice of humility, curiosity, openness, and genuine engagement. In such a community, participants are more eager to listen than to speak, to pursue understanding rather than conflict, and to embrace introspection and self-awareness in balance with self-expression. Hardly a passive posture, this kind of hospitality encourages a rigorous yet respectful engagement with ideas through critical thinking, discernment, and an enduring willingness to consider and reconsider. It is with this spirit that Octet hosts four intellectual hospitality events. We invite you to join us!
Upcoming Diálogos Events
Upcoming Diálogos Events
Diálogos: Sharing the Table
Friday, December 15
Samberg Conference Center, 5-8 pm
Cambridge, MA
What is the importance of academic collaboration across disciplines and lines of difference? How might the academic vocation be served - and better serve the common good - by the restoration of literal and figurative “common tables”? Join Professor Alan Love and the Octet Collaborative for an evening of stimulating conversation and intellectual hospitality around a table of our own.
This event is by invitation only. If you’re interested in attending, please email comm@octetcollaborative.org
Diálogos: Moral Formation in a Pluralistic Society
Thursday, February 15
Samberg Conference Center, 5-8 pm
Cambridge, MA
In an era of deep division and conflict, how should MIT think about the moral formation of its students? Does character matter, and should the university - particularly one focused on science and engineering such as MIT - play a role in building it? And how does one do so in a way that respects the pluralistic society that MIT happily supports? Join Professor Jennifer Herdt and the Octet Collaborative for a thought-provoking conversation in pursuit of intellectual hospitality.
This event is by invitation only. If you’re interested in attending, please email comm@octetcollaborative.org
Diálogos: Trauma-informed Pedagogy & the Whole Student
Friday, December 15
Samberg Conference Center, 5-8 pm
Cambridge, MA
As MIT pursues its goal of educating the whole student, it will inevitably pursue issues in the classroom that engage deep aspects of its students’ identity. How can a STEM-focused institute such as MIT gain from an appreciation of trauma-informed pedagogy, even as it challenges its students to interrogate the human impact of innovations in the lab? Join Dr. Cord Whitaker, in conversation with Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas (Chaplain to the Institute), and the Octet Collaborative for a thought-provoking conversation in pursuit of intellectual hospitality.
This event is by invitation only. If you’re interested in attending, please email comm@octetcollaborative.org
Previous Diálogos Events
Diálogos: How Can Science Serve the Common Good? with Joshua Swamidass
October 19, 2023 - At a moment when science is of pivotal importance in addressing societal problems, societal distrust of science is on the rise. Dr. Joshua Swamidass led a conversation exploring the role of science and leading scientific institutions like MIT in restoring that trust, and ensuring that science serves the common good.
Dr. S. Joshua Swamidass is an associate professor in the Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine at Washington University in St Louis. He holds an MD and PhD (Information and Computer Sciences) from the University of California, Irvine. Both a scientist and a physician, he uses computational methods to study information at the intersection of medicine, chemistry, and biology.
Diálogos: an Exploration of Mental Health with Nii Addy
April 12, 2023 - A discussion of why investigations of faith and mental health have historically ignored and even feared one another, and the mutual benefit of bringing them into a united conversation
Nii Addy is the Albert E. Kent Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and the inaugural Director of Scientist Diversity and Inclusion at Yale School of Medicine. He is also Director of the Faculty Mentoring Program for Minority Organization for Recruitment and Expansion (MORE) and co-chair of the Career Development Subcommittee of the Anti-Racism Task Force in the Yale Department of Psychiatry. He contributes to graduate student and postdoctoral training and to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through his efforts on campus and in scientific societies.
Diálogos: Sexuality, Gender, and Technology with Andy Crouch
February 23, 2023 - A discussion of how technology has impacted our deepest understanding of what it means to be human, and how we might enter into conversations about sexuality and gender with wisdom and compassion
Andy Crouch is partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. His writing explores faith, culture, and the image of God in the domains of technology, power, leadership, and the arts. He is the author of five books (plus another with his daughter, Amy Crouch): The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World, The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place, Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, and Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling.
Diálogos: The Overturning of Roe v. Wade with David Skeel
December 15, 2022 - A discussion of how we might pursue open and productive dialogue concerning abortion policy, and gain a better understanding of the intersection between faith, personal narratives, and politics
David Skeel is S. Samuel Arsht Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He is the author of True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World (InterVarsity, 2014); The New Financial Deal: Understanding the Dodd-Frank Act and Its (Unintended) Consequences (Wiley, 2011); Icarus in the Boardroom (Oxford, 2005); Debt’s Dominion: A History of Bankruptcy Law in America (Princeton, 2001); and numerous articles on bankruptcy, corporate law, financial regulation, Christianity and law, and other topics.
Diálogos: Love Your Neighbor - a Neuro-Theological Discussion of the Second Greatest Commandment with Christy Vines
October 14, 2022 - A discussion of the neuroscience of tribalism and how we might engage in more civil dialogue about race and difference.
Christy Vines, President and CEO of Ideos Institute, is a published writer, international speaker, and the executive producer of the 2022 documentary film, "Dialogue Lab: America," a moving take on the current state of division and polarization in America.