Humanities Perspectives on Business

What:     

Tort law and Russia's struggle to transition from a planned economy focused on the needs of the state to a market economy focused on the desires of the consumer will be discussed by philosopher John K. Davis and historian Lynn M. Sargeant, respectively. The faculty members will present their lectures to business majors, and the public is welcome to sit in. The lectures are part of a series that incorporates business and the humanities.

When:      

April 4-5
7 p.m.

Where:     

Cal State Fullerton, Steven G. Mihaylo Hall
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, 92831

Lectures:     

April 4
“What Justifies Negligence Law?” presented by John K. Davis, associate professor of philosophy, in Mihaylo Hall, Room 1502.

Davis will discuss several attempts to provide a theoretical justification for tort law, which he says typically involves negligence. Most automobile collision and malpractice lawsuits, to name two examples, allege the tort of negligence. Davis' lecture will center on what moral or other argument there is for enabling plaintiffs to sue for damages when someone is not as careful as a reasonable person, and thereby injures or harms the plaintiff? Philosophers and jurists have had great difficulty finding a coherent justification for negligence. Davis' research interests revolve around bioethics, the philosophy of law and ethical theory. A former attorney, he joined the CSUF faculty in 2007. He is working on two papers concerning moral disagreement and also conducting research on the ethics of slowing human aging.

April 5
“Doing Business in the Wild, Wild East” delivered by Lynn M. Sargeant, associate professor of history, in Mihaylo Hall, Room 1506.

Sargeant’s lecture will focus on the benefits and the costs of Russia’s economic transition for Russian citizens, as well as the opportunities and perils Russia presents to Americans attempting to “break in” to its markets. Sargeant's personal evaluation of the post-communist consumer marketplace and the experiences of friends and family members doing business in the former Soviet Union will be used to illustrate the deeper economic, cultural and political issues confronting Russia today. Sargeant, who joined the CSUF faculty in 2004, is a regular visitor to Russia and Ukraine. Her research focuses on Russia's social and cultural modernization at the turn of the 20th century.

Parking:     

$2 per hour or $8 for a daily permit. Details are available online: http://parking.fullerton.edu/visitors/Parking.aspx

More Information:     

Mark Hoven Stohs, chair and professor of finance, 657-278-2217 or mstohs@fullerton.edu

Media Contact:     

Mimi Ko Cruz, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu