CU Boulder Lecture on "Honor Thy Mother and Father. But Why?"

** Please forward this announcement to anyone you think might be
interested in attending. Thanks! **

Most of us think we owe something to our parents. But what do we
owe? And why do we owe it?

* What: Lecture on "Honor Thy Mother and Father: But Why?" by Prof.
Claudia Mills (CU Boulder)

* When: Thursday, October 11th, 2007, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.

* Whe Old Main Chapel, University of Colorado at Boulder

Abstract: Most of us think we owe something to our parents, but what
we owe and why we owe it are both highly controversial. Do we owe
fitting repayment for past services rendered? Do we owe nothing but
what flows naturally from love and affection? Do we owe what is
defined by the familial roles of our particular society? I reject all
three of these answers and argue that our duties to our parents are
based neither on past benefits received, nor on natural sentiments,
nor on social roles. Instead, they are grounded in the strong reasons
we have to participate in unconditional, unchosen relationships and
our corresponding obligation not to deny others the good of
participating in such relationships with us. I conclude by saying
something about exactly what grown children owe their parents: grown
children owe their parents those things that flow from participating
together in this kind of relationship, and not (generally) material
goods that can be otherwise obtained.

Dr. Claudia Mills is a Professor of Philosophy at CU Boulder. Her
current research interests focus on ethical questions regarding the
family, such as the rise in the use of behavior-altering medications
for children, conflicts between parents and non-parents in the
workplace, and intercultural adoption. She also publishes widely on
moral and philosophical questions in children's literature. In
addition to her many scholarly articles, she is the author of 40 books
for children including "Makeovers by Marcia," "Ziggy's Blue-Ribbon
Day," "7 x 9 = Trouble!," and "Being Teddy Roosevelt."

All "Think!" events are free and intended for the public. Members of
the media are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit:

http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/center/think.shtml

For further information on the series, please contact Dr. Robert
Pasnau at or (303) 492-4837. For
announcements of upcoming "Think!" events, e-mail
with that request.

Upcoming "Think!" events:

* Thursday, November 8th: Simon Sparks: "What Counts As
Art?" (8:00-9:30 pm, Old Main Chapel)

* Spring 2008, date TBD: Wes Morriston: "Why No One Needs to Fear
Going to Hell"

* Spring 2008, date TBD: David Boonin: "Is Affirmative Action Right or
Wrong?"

These lectures are sponsored by the Center for Values and Social
Policy in the Philosophy Department of the University of Colorado at
Boulder. They are funded through the generosity of The Collins
Foundation.