In The Great Conversation, we ask perhaps the most urgent question of all: “How should we live?” “We” ask, first-person plural: within a community of conversation, from the standpoint of our shared humanity, in dialogue with some of the greatest spirits to meditate on the question.

Western Civilization cannot be other than the pursuit of life lived civilly: urbanely, politically, in conversation that accommodates even deep disagreements within the bond of social friendship. This will always remain a work to be accomplished, for the history of civilization has been a history shot through with the violence of domination.

The Great Conversation begins its third volume Fall 2022, and will return to in-person sessions at the Abigail Adams Insitute! We are excited to welcome you back to discuss life’s greatest questions together in person.