John Passmore, joined by Kent Mullikin, discusses the privileges and responsibilities borne by teachers, especially in the academy. These include the freedom to teach and the moral implications of teaching. Passmore expresses his opinions on the then-new fields of Afro-American studies and women’s studies.
In the second segment [13:45], William Bennett, James Rachels, George Sher, and Robert Simon continue the seven-part series on philosophy and public policy, focusing on ethics in international political relations.
At the time of this interview, Passmore was professor of the history of ideas at the University of Australia, Canberra. Mullikin was assistant director of the National Humanities Center.
Bennett was director of the Center. Rachels was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of philosophy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Sher, a Fellow at the Center (1980-81), was professor of philosophy at the University of Vermont. Simon, a Fellow at the Center (1981-82), was professor of philosophy at Hamilton College.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond and Kent Mullikin.
