Florsheim Lecture in Ethics starts today

The Department of Philosophy will discuss human cloning, a topic sometimes left for science fiction films and novels, today at the inaugural Florsheim Lecture in Ethics.

Alastair Norcross, a philosophy professor from the University of Colorado Boulder, will address important questions about ethics concerning contemporary issues, such as cloning, according to information provided by the Department of Philosophy. The lecture is open to all students, faculty and staff, and to the general public.

Blake Hestir, associate professor of philosophy and department chair, said the lecture series was funded by the parents of alumna Claire Florsheim. Florsheim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2005, and her parents made a donation to the philosophy department to create the lecture series, he said.

Norcross said all students would enjoy his lecture because the study of ethics related to issues students would encounter in every day life. The lecture would focus on the two types of human cloning, reproductive and therapeutic, and the ethical issues surrounding each method.

“Cloning is no longer science fiction, but an inevitable part of the future,” he said.

Norcross said he was supportive of therapeutic cloning for its ability to provide successful organ transplants and stem cell research. However, he said he thought reproductive cloning was unnecessary given the risks that accompany it. 

Norcross said scientists had the theoretical capabilities for human cloning, but ethical issues and opposition prevented the practice.

Paige Hunter, a sophomore philosophy and psychology double major, said she was excited for both the lecture and the opportunity to hear from Norcross because he was prominent in the field of philosophy.

Hunter said she read up on many of Norcross’ publications and thought Norcross had a strong sense of humor, which made the subject of ethics more relatable.

Hestir said he would encourage all students to attend because while the spirit of the lecture was to provide a forum for scholars to speak about important issues in ethics, the most important aspect was promoting student involvement and discussion.

What: “The Ethics of Human Cloning” by Alastair Norcross, philosophy professor at the University of Colorado Boulder

Where: Moudy North – Room 141

When: Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.