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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260114T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260114T193000
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UID:10001781-1768413600-1768419000@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:Why Think? Hannah Arendt and the Life of the Mind
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nMeets Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays: Jan. 14\, Jan. 28\, Feb. 11\, Feb. 25  \n6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Provided \nThis event is designated for University of Chicago undergraduate students. Students will receive a copy of the texts. Please reach out to William Hurley for any questions (whurley@lumenchristi.org). \nThis seminar and the Nicklin Fellows are made possible by the First Analysis Institute\, the support of In Lumine Tuo: Expanding and Sustaining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Nationwide (grant #63614) from the John Templeton Foundation\, and the generous support of our donors. \nDescription:\nWhat is “thinking”? This question attracts Hannah Arendt’s attention in her later works. Though Arendt claims that thinking is utterly without purpose and leaves no trace behind\, she also proposes that it can provide a protective effect against certain forms of evil-doing in our time.  \nWith that said\, what is the practical relevance of thinking\, today? Given the destructive\, resultless nature of this activity\, why bother? In short: Why think? In this seminar led by Prof. Magnus Ferguson\, we will investigate what it means to ‘think’ in an Arendtian sense through close readings of key excerpts from Hannah Arendt’s final work\, The Life of the Mind\, as well as several short essays. \nCopies of The Life of the Mind will be provided to all participants. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Wednesday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at or below 30 pages. \nSchedule:\n\nJan. 14: “Thinking and Moral Considerations”\nJan. 28: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 69–98) \nFeb. 11: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 141–151\, 166–182\, 187–193) \nFeb. 25: Life of the Mind Vol. I (p. 197–216)\, and “Karl Jaspers: A Laudatio” \n\n\n\n \nSeries Description:\nReading Course \nEach quarter\, the Lumen Christi Institute hosts a student-centered reading course at Gavin House (1220 E 58th St.). The reading course is usually held over a shared meal and all participants are provided a copy of the text. Any undergraduate interested in a shared reading of a great text is welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary. \n  \nImage Credit: Samuel Bak\, “In Search of a Roof of One’s Own” (2017)
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/why-think-hannah-arendt-and-the-life-of-the-mind-2026-01-14/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar,Nicklin Fellowship,Reading Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bak_In_Search_of_a_Roof_of_Ones_Own-1-e1764690759113.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T193000
DTSTAMP:20260127T173730Z
CREATED:20251212T160155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T173730Z
UID:10001815-1769623200-1769628600@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:Why Think? Hannah Arendt and the Life of the Mind
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nMeets Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays: Jan. 14\, Jan. 28\, Feb. 11\, Feb. 25  \n6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Provided \nThis event is designated for University of Chicago undergraduate students. Students will receive a copy of the texts. Please reach out to William Hurley for any questions (whurley@lumenchristi.org). \nThis seminar and the Nicklin Fellows are made possible by the First Analysis Institute\, the support of In Lumine Tuo: Expanding and Sustaining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Nationwide (grant #63614) from the John Templeton Foundation\, and the generous support of our donors. \nDescription:\nWhat is “thinking”? This question attracts Hannah Arendt’s attention in her later works. Though Arendt claims that thinking is utterly without purpose and leaves no trace behind\, she also proposes that it can provide a protective effect against certain forms of evil-doing in our time.  \nWith that said\, what is the practical relevance of thinking\, today? Given the destructive\, resultless nature of this activity\, why bother? In short: Why think? In this seminar led by Prof. Magnus Ferguson\, we will investigate what it means to ‘think’ in an Arendtian sense through close readings of key excerpts from Hannah Arendt’s final work\, The Life of the Mind\, as well as several short essays. \nCopies of The Life of the Mind will be provided to all participants. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Wednesday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at or below 30 pages. \nSchedule:\n\nJan. 14: “Thinking and Moral Considerations”\nJan. 28: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 69–98) \nFeb. 11: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 141–151\, 166–182\, 187–193) \nFeb. 25: Life of the Mind Vol. I (p. 197–216)\, and “Karl Jaspers: A Laudatio” \n\n\n\n \nSeries Description:\nReading Course \nEach quarter\, the Lumen Christi Institute hosts a student-centered reading course at Gavin House (1220 E 58th St.). The reading course is usually held over a shared meal and all participants are provided a copy of the text. Any undergraduate interested in a shared reading of a great text is welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary. \n  \nImage Credit: Samuel Bak\, “In Search of a Roof of One’s Own” (2017)
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/why-think-hannah-arendt-and-the-life-of-the-mind-2/2026-01-28/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar,Nicklin Fellowship,Reading Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bak_In_Search_of_a_Roof_of_Ones_Own-1-e1764690759113.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T193000
DTSTAMP:20260127T173730Z
CREATED:20251212T160155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T173730Z
UID:10001816-1770832800-1770838200@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:Why Think? Hannah Arendt and the Life of the Mind
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nMeets Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays: Jan. 14\, Jan. 28\, Feb. 11\, Feb. 25  \n6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Provided \nThis event is designated for University of Chicago undergraduate students. Students will receive a copy of the texts. Please reach out to William Hurley for any questions (whurley@lumenchristi.org). \nThis seminar and the Nicklin Fellows are made possible by the First Analysis Institute\, the support of In Lumine Tuo: Expanding and Sustaining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Nationwide (grant #63614) from the John Templeton Foundation\, and the generous support of our donors. \nDescription:\nWhat is “thinking”? This question attracts Hannah Arendt’s attention in her later works. Though Arendt claims that thinking is utterly without purpose and leaves no trace behind\, she also proposes that it can provide a protective effect against certain forms of evil-doing in our time.  \nWith that said\, what is the practical relevance of thinking\, today? Given the destructive\, resultless nature of this activity\, why bother? In short: Why think? In this seminar led by Prof. Magnus Ferguson\, we will investigate what it means to ‘think’ in an Arendtian sense through close readings of key excerpts from Hannah Arendt’s final work\, The Life of the Mind\, as well as several short essays. \nCopies of The Life of the Mind will be provided to all participants. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Wednesday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at or below 30 pages. \nSchedule:\n\nJan. 14: “Thinking and Moral Considerations”\nJan. 28: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 69–98) \nFeb. 11: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 141–151\, 166–182\, 187–193) \nFeb. 25: Life of the Mind Vol. I (p. 197–216)\, and “Karl Jaspers: A Laudatio” \n\n\n\n \nSeries Description:\nReading Course \nEach quarter\, the Lumen Christi Institute hosts a student-centered reading course at Gavin House (1220 E 58th St.). The reading course is usually held over a shared meal and all participants are provided a copy of the text. Any undergraduate interested in a shared reading of a great text is welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary. \n  \nImage Credit: Samuel Bak\, “In Search of a Roof of One’s Own” (2017)
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/why-think-hannah-arendt-and-the-life-of-the-mind-2/2026-02-11/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar,Nicklin Fellowship,Reading Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bak_In_Search_of_a_Roof_of_Ones_Own-1-e1764690759113.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T193000
DTSTAMP:20260127T173730Z
CREATED:20251212T160155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T173730Z
UID:10001817-1772042400-1772047800@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:Why Think? Hannah Arendt and the Life of the Mind
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nMeets Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays: Jan. 14\, Jan. 28\, Feb. 11\, Feb. 25  \n6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Provided \nThis event is designated for University of Chicago undergraduate students. Students will receive a copy of the texts. Please reach out to William Hurley for any questions (whurley@lumenchristi.org). \nThis seminar and the Nicklin Fellows are made possible by the First Analysis Institute\, the support of In Lumine Tuo: Expanding and Sustaining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Nationwide (grant #63614) from the John Templeton Foundation\, and the generous support of our donors. \nDescription:\nWhat is “thinking”? This question attracts Hannah Arendt’s attention in her later works. Though Arendt claims that thinking is utterly without purpose and leaves no trace behind\, she also proposes that it can provide a protective effect against certain forms of evil-doing in our time.  \nWith that said\, what is the practical relevance of thinking\, today? Given the destructive\, resultless nature of this activity\, why bother? In short: Why think? In this seminar led by Prof. Magnus Ferguson\, we will investigate what it means to ‘think’ in an Arendtian sense through close readings of key excerpts from Hannah Arendt’s final work\, The Life of the Mind\, as well as several short essays. \nCopies of The Life of the Mind will be provided to all participants. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Wednesday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at or below 30 pages. \nSchedule:\n\nJan. 14: “Thinking and Moral Considerations”\nJan. 28: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 69–98) \nFeb. 11: Life of the Mind Vol I (p. 141–151\, 166–182\, 187–193) \nFeb. 25: Life of the Mind Vol. I (p. 197–216)\, and “Karl Jaspers: A Laudatio” \n\n\n\n \nSeries Description:\nReading Course \nEach quarter\, the Lumen Christi Institute hosts a student-centered reading course at Gavin House (1220 E 58th St.). The reading course is usually held over a shared meal and all participants are provided a copy of the text. Any undergraduate interested in a shared reading of a great text is welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary. \n  \nImage Credit: Samuel Bak\, “In Search of a Roof of One’s Own” (2017)
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/why-think-hannah-arendt-and-the-life-of-the-mind-2/2026-02-25/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar,Nicklin Fellowship,Reading Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bak_In_Search_of_a_Roof_of_Ones_Own-1-e1764690759113.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261015T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261015T193000
DTSTAMP:20261029T200630Z
CREATED:20260929T215417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261029T200630Z
UID:10002210-1792087200-1792092600@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:A Visit To Nowhere: Reading Thomas More’s Utopia
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nDinner | Discussion \nThis event is designated for current University of Chicago undergraduate students. Please contact William Hurley at whurley@lumenchristi.org with any questions. \nIn 1516\, Thomas More published Utopia\, inspiring generations of writers and an entirely new genre of literature. More takes his reader on a tour of an idealistic island society: six-hour work days\, religious toleration\, no private property\, and no lawyers. But is it really possible for such a society to exist? And was Utopia actually a good place? Should we try to build utopian societies today? Come and join us for dinner and discussion.\n\nCopies of Utopia will be provided to all participants\, they may be picked up at Gavin House in the week prior to the event during business hours. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Thursday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at approximately 30 pages.\n\nSchedule\n\n6:00 p.m.   Dinner\n6:15 p.m.    Discussion\n7:30 p.m.   End\n\nCalendar\n\nOct. 15\, Week 1 – Book I\nOct. 29\, Week 2 – Book II (pt. 1) \nNov. 12\, Week 3 – Book II (pt. 2) \n\n\n\n \n\nAbout Fundamental Questions Seminars\nThis event is part of Lumen Christi’s Fundamental Questions program\, a quarterly seminar designed for undergraduate students at the University of Chicago. By fostering intellectually rigorous conversation around culturally resonant texts\, we aim to allow students to experience the force of the deep existential concerns which animate our lives: “Where do my values come from? What is the good life? How can I become happy?” Our aim is not to answer such fundamental questions\, but rather to equip students with the intellectual skills needed to recognize and articulate them for themselves. This group welcomes students from all religious and philosophical backgrounds because existential questions of being are of concern to all. \nIn addition\, undergraduate students who participate in this seminar are eligible to become “Nicklin Fellows.” These fellows will have exclusive access to research and development grant funds to pursue their intellectual interests. Learn more here.
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/a-visit-to-nowhere-reading-thomas-mores-utopia/2026-10-15/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FQSUtopia_-WebImage-v.1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261029T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261029T193000
DTSTAMP:20261029T200630Z
CREATED:20260929T215417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261029T200630Z
UID:10002211-1793296800-1793302200@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:A Visit To Nowhere: Reading Thomas More’s Utopia
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nDinner | Discussion \nThis event is designated for current University of Chicago undergraduate students. Please contact William Hurley at whurley@lumenchristi.org with any questions. \nIn 1516\, Thomas More published Utopia\, inspiring generations of writers and an entirely new genre of literature. More takes his reader on a tour of an idealistic island society: six-hour work days\, religious toleration\, no private property\, and no lawyers. But is it really possible for such a society to exist? And was Utopia actually a good place? Should we try to build utopian societies today? Come and join us for dinner and discussion.\n\nCopies of Utopia will be provided to all participants\, they may be picked up at Gavin House in the week prior to the event during business hours. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Thursday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at approximately 30 pages.\n\nSchedule\n\n6:00 p.m.   Dinner\n6:15 p.m.    Discussion\n7:30 p.m.   End\n\nCalendar\n\nOct. 15\, Week 1 – Book I\nOct. 29\, Week 2 – Book II (pt. 1) \nNov. 12\, Week 3 – Book II (pt. 2) \n\n\n\n \n\nAbout Fundamental Questions Seminars\nThis event is part of Lumen Christi’s Fundamental Questions program\, a quarterly seminar designed for undergraduate students at the University of Chicago. By fostering intellectually rigorous conversation around culturally resonant texts\, we aim to allow students to experience the force of the deep existential concerns which animate our lives: “Where do my values come from? What is the good life? How can I become happy?” Our aim is not to answer such fundamental questions\, but rather to equip students with the intellectual skills needed to recognize and articulate them for themselves. This group welcomes students from all religious and philosophical backgrounds because existential questions of being are of concern to all. \nIn addition\, undergraduate students who participate in this seminar are eligible to become “Nicklin Fellows.” These fellows will have exclusive access to research and development grant funds to pursue their intellectual interests. Learn more here.
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/a-visit-to-nowhere-reading-thomas-mores-utopia/2026-10-29/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FQSUtopia_-WebImage-v.1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261112T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261112T193000
DTSTAMP:20261029T200630Z
CREATED:20260929T215417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261029T200630Z
UID:10002212-1794506400-1794511800@lumenchristi.org
SUMMARY:A Visit To Nowhere: Reading Thomas More’s Utopia
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER BELOW\nDinner | Discussion \nThis event is designated for current University of Chicago undergraduate students. Please contact William Hurley at whurley@lumenchristi.org with any questions. \nIn 1516\, Thomas More published Utopia\, inspiring generations of writers and an entirely new genre of literature. More takes his reader on a tour of an idealistic island society: six-hour work days\, religious toleration\, no private property\, and no lawyers. But is it really possible for such a society to exist? And was Utopia actually a good place? Should we try to build utopian societies today? Come and join us for dinner and discussion.\n\nCopies of Utopia will be provided to all participants\, they may be picked up at Gavin House in the week prior to the event during business hours. Bi-weekly meetings are held on Thursday evenings over dinner. Weekly reading assignments are kept at approximately 30 pages.\n\nSchedule\n\n6:00 p.m.   Dinner\n6:15 p.m.    Discussion\n7:30 p.m.   End\n\nCalendar\n\nOct. 15\, Week 1 – Book I\nOct. 29\, Week 2 – Book II (pt. 1) \nNov. 12\, Week 3 – Book II (pt. 2) \n\n\n\n \n\nAbout Fundamental Questions Seminars\nThis event is part of Lumen Christi’s Fundamental Questions program\, a quarterly seminar designed for undergraduate students at the University of Chicago. By fostering intellectually rigorous conversation around culturally resonant texts\, we aim to allow students to experience the force of the deep existential concerns which animate our lives: “Where do my values come from? What is the good life? How can I become happy?” Our aim is not to answer such fundamental questions\, but rather to equip students with the intellectual skills needed to recognize and articulate them for themselves. This group welcomes students from all religious and philosophical backgrounds because existential questions of being are of concern to all. \nIn addition\, undergraduate students who participate in this seminar are eligible to become “Nicklin Fellows.” These fellows will have exclusive access to research and development grant funds to pursue their intellectual interests. Learn more here.
URL:https://lumenchristi.org/event/a-visit-to-nowhere-reading-thomas-mores-utopia/2026-11-12/
LOCATION:Gavin House\, 1220 E 58th St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637
CATEGORIES:Fundamental Questions Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lumenchristi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FQSUtopia_-WebImage-v.1-1.png
END:VEVENT
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