Over the course of their decades-long friendship, scholars Cornel West and Robert P. George have demonstrated that it’s possible to have respectful conversations and meaningful bonds, even when disagreeing on fundamental issues.
At the University of Oklahoma’s Fall 2023 Presidential Speakers Series dinner, the two professors shared how they formed a close friendship while teaching together at Princeton University and, despite their ideological differences, have maintained that bond. They are widely viewed as a model of civil discourse.
During their discussion at OU, which was moderated by OU history professor Anne Hyde, the two scholars emphasized the importance of respecting another person’s humanity when exchanging viewpoints.
“They refer to each other as brother. They know how to engage in a way of civil discourse,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. during the event. “That’s at the very base of how we keep our democracy together.”
To view a video of the full discussion, visit https://ou.edu/president/speakerseries.
