This is a paid piece from Augustana University's Critical Inquiry and Citizenship Colloquium.

Simplified: Two powerhouse public intellectuals, who remain friends despite political differences, will be speaking about how to have constructive dialogue at Augustana University later this month as part of the Fourth Annual Critical Inquiry and Citizenship Colloquium.

Why it matters

  • The colloquium – which is free and open to the public – will feature speakers Robert P. George and Cornel West. George is a professor at Princeton University as well as a scholar on constitutional law, political philosophy and the role of faith in public life. West, widely known for his work on democracy and justice, also ran for president as an independent candidate in 2024. The two men are friends and co-authored a book on how to disagree that was published in 2025.
  • It's no accident this conversation is happening on Oct. 15, just a few weeks ahead of the midterm election, said Stephen Minister, an Augustana philosophy professor who helped organize the colloquium.
  • Recognizing that our society is in a deeply divided time, politically, the hope is this event can help people begin to start bridging the gaps in their own lives and learn to ask questions and build connections not from a place of judgment, but from a place of genuine curiosity.
"These two exemplify for us – as incredibly intelligent influential thinkers and great teachers – that second way of asking the question: 'Tell me more. I’m listening with curiosity and care,'" said Dave O'Hara, an Augustana philosophy professor who also helped organize the colloquium. "It's good for us to have that modeled in front of us."

Tell me more

The annual Critical Inquiry and Citizenship Colloquium began in 2023 with support from Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock and in partnership with Augustana's Center for Western Studies.

  • The event is designed to facilitate critical thinking, persuasive reasoning and thoughtful discussion among engaged citizens of a democratic and pluralistic society.

This year's event will begin with a 30-minute presentation from the two speakers, followed by a Q&A with questions developed by Augustana students.

Attendees will also have a chance to get a free copy of West and George's book, "Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division," and the two men will be available to sign the books after their presentation.

"These are two really thoughtful men who are close friends who disagree on some really important things," O'Hara said. "They exemplify what it means to disagree and still love one another."

What to know before you go

The colloquium is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Elmen Center on Augustana's campus.

"It’s for anyone who has a friend or loved one that they have a hard time having these conversations with, maybe about political issues," Minister said. "You're going to get two thinkers ... to model how to have a caring, loving relationship amidst difference."