Winter 2009 Licata Lecture: Michael Novak Calls for Conversation About God
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WINTER 2009 LICATA LECTURE: MICHAEL NOVAK CALLS FOR CONVERSATION ABOUT GOD And yet, he told his Pepperdine audi- ence faith is a “real knowledge—a practi- cal kind of knowledge worth trusting one’s life to.” Faith was the sustaining hope of those who struggled against totalitarian- ism in the 20th century. It is the basis for a compassionate society. Rather than con- tradicting the sciences, faith is a firm sup- Victor Davis Hanson port on which reason may flourish. 2009 William E. Simon As men and women continue to ask ques- Distinguished Visiting Professor tions about faith and secularism, people in both camps may become more tolerant of Scholar of classical civilizations, author, each other. Novak echoed the prediction columnist, and historian Victor Davis Hanson of the German philosopher Habermas that is serving as the Spring 2009 William E. we are at the “end of the secular age.” Simon Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Now, “believers and unbelievers will have School of Public Policy. He is teaching the to take each other much more seriously seminar in international relations: Global Rule than they did before.” of Western Civilization? In an era when our public discourse Hanson is a Senior Fellow in Residence in “VIRTUALLY ALL THE WORLD seems to lack civility, Novak foresees “the Classics and Military History at the Hoover end of the period of condescension” and Institution at Stanford University and IS IN THE GRIP OF QUESTIONS “the beginning of a conversation that rec- Professor Emeritus of Classics at California ABOUT GOD,”… ognizes each others’ inherent dignity.” State University, Fresno. He is also a Novak is a member of the School of Pub- nationally syndicated columnist for Tribune …said Michael Novak in the School of lic Policy Board of Visitors executive com- Media Services. Public Policy’s annual Charles and Rose- mittee and is the George Frederick Jewett mary Licata Lecture on October 7, 2008. Chair in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Among numerous awards, honors, and Recent books by Sam Harris, Richard Policy at the American Enterprise Insti- fellowships, Hanson was awarded the Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have tute. He has studied theology and history National Humanities Medal in 2007 and the raised doubts about God, while secularist at Stonehill College, the Pontifical Grego- Bradley Prize in 2008. thinkers like Jürgen Habermas have begun rian University, the Catholic University of Hanson is the author of hundreds of to doubt that reason apart from God is suf- America, and Harvard University. articles, book reviews, scholarly papers, and ficient to answer the ultimate questions. The Licata Lecture is made possible newspaper editorials on matters ranging As a Catholic and award-winning author of through an endowment from Charles and from ancient Greek, agrarian, and military numerous books about theology and poli- Rosemary Licata. The annual lecture series history to foreign affairs, domestic politics, tics, Novak is calling for a conversation brings a leading scholar or policy expert to and contemporary culture. He has written or between secularists and people of faith. the School of Public Policy. Past Licata lec- edited 17 books and has written for the New Novak’s latest book, No One Sees God: turers include communications executive York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles The Dark Night of Atheists and Believers, is Stuart Epperson; Forbes, Inc. CEO Steve Times, International Herald Tribune, and New an attempt to initiate dialogue with those Forbes; Robert Woodson of the National York Post, among others. who have written off religious faith. Instead Center for Neighborhood Enterprises; and of trouncing their arguments, Novak posits former U.S. ambassador-at-large for war Hanson received a BA from the University of that believers and unbelievers share the crimes issues Pierre Prosper. California, Santa Cruz, in 1975, attended the same uncertainties and limitations: “God View clips of Novak’s lecture on the is not on the same wavelength as our School of Public Policy’s YouTube channel Hanson continued on page 4 senses,” he said. at www.youtube.com/pepperdinespp. ... 1 ... publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu DEAN’S MESSAGE Every four years there is a special focus of energy as our students as leaders in embassies and nonprofit debate issues and select not only their national president but those agencies on every continent. And they who will represent them at the state, city, and neighborhood levels. were mindful that the entire world was As a non-partisan effort, the mission of the School of Public Policy watching our historic election, aware that is to develop leaders and strengthen the institutions of civil society the citizens of Iraq, in their own historic with respect for fellow citizens regardless of political affiliation. election, will soon be electing their own representatives in hundreds of their own Notably, while a half dozen of our students worked for George W. neighborhoods as well as at the national Bush in the White House, including one of his speech writers, level, on soil that once nourished the several others were involved in helping to elect our new president, seeds of Western Civilization though ruled more recently by one of Barack Obama. In fact, the School of Public Policy was the site the most cruel tyrants in history. of two debates considering alternate perspectives. One of the debates, between two of our own professors—Robert Kaufman and This year confirmed that these young leaders, perhaps including Douglas Kmiec—was attended by some 500 students, faculty, and some future president, go forth from our program prepared to members of the Malibu community. strengthen the institutions of a civil society not only to keep our nation great, but to give reason for hope to those hungry for liberty But our students were also concerned about civil discourse elsewhere as well. because our graduates include military personnel in Iraq as well JAMES R. WILBURN Dean, School of Public Policy ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE NATHANIEL H. GOETZ MPP ’01 Three years ago, a leap Indeed, as I engaged with the community, I quickly saw the of faith took my wife and passion and entrepreneurial spirit of Durham at work, but with me from San Diego, Cali- so many organizations all trying to work on the same problems fornia, to Durham, North and issues, it was apparent how their agendas for change would Carolina. The warm wel- often collide with one another. A good friend of mine made this come we received en- quite plain for me: “Durham is a city of colliding collaborations.” couraged me to seek out Although frustrating at first, I worked hard to listen and then act. ways to become civically It was an exercise in putting assumptions aside, honoring the engaged and I quickly work already accomplished, and then identifying where to best learned that the “Bull complement existing efforts. City” had no shortage of The volunteer work I have participated in has varied greatly, Nathaniel Goetz with North Carolina Mayor Bill Bell ways to do so. Indeed, but all of it has vested me into Durham’s success. I have been for- and fellow SPP Alumna Allison Anderson (MPP ’06) an exciting revitalization tunate to learn by building awareness of Durham’s disabled pop- was underway led by the ulations so they might receive job training and other outreach same entrepreneurial spirit that built the world’s largest tobacco services. I have also assisted a new youth community center to company and, after its decline, paved the way for the Research identify what sort of mentoring programs might be most effective Triangle Park that now houses some of the world’s largest tech- based upon local demographics and participated in the develop- nological and pharmaceutical companies. ment of a nonprofit incubator. In the course of my early learning, I found that the best way I look forward to Durham’s future, which I already see coming to give back to the community was to contribute my knowledge together well. It is a city to be proud of and one that I hope will of research and public policy to bolster the work of its many lo- continue valuing the efforts from all of its citizens working hard cal nonprofits already engaged in change efforts. I saw that they to ensure its continued success. operated from a deep-seated passion and faith and, like myself, Nathaniel H. Goetz (MPP ’01) is founder and president of Tri- sought to really “know” their community. Such reminded me of angle Research Partners and director of research and advocacy two invaluable lessons I learned while at Pepperdine: “good pub- at Triangle United Way. lic policy comes from building relationships and listening,” and School of Public Policy Alumni: If you are interested in contributing to this regular “in order to act appropriately, we must first seek to understand.” column, which seeks to highlight alumni experiences related to policy, please let us know. Contact Christina Ramirez at [email protected]. School of Public Policy Dean’s Report ...... 2 ...... PAULETTA WALSH NAMED ASSISTANT DEAN FOR ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI AFFAIRS NEW BOARD OF VISITORS MEMBERS The School of Public Policy is pleased to welcome Pauletta Walsh (MPP ’04) as assistant dean for ad- The School of Public Policy Board of Visitors is vancement and alumni affairs. comprised of national policy, business, and com- Walsh comes to Pepperdine from the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C., munity leaders who support the school’s mission where she has served since March 2005. Most re- and share its commitment to a more expansive ap- cently, she worked in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs as the first regional television and proach to public policy.