Contact: Karyn Brown
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A nationally recognized researcher and writer on economics, political economy and the history of ideas will speak Thursday [Nov. 6] at Mississippi State.
James R. Otteson is the latest guest for the university's 2014-15 Institute for the Humanities Distinguished Lecture Series. Open to all, his presentation begins at 3:30 p.m. in McCool Hall's Taylor Auditorium.
A University of Chicago doctoral graduate, Otteson is executive director of Wake Forest University's BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism and Teaching Professor of Political Economy. Prior to joining the WFU faculty, he held faculty positions at Yeshiva, New York and Georgetown universities and the University of Alabama.
In 2007, his book, "Actual Ethics" (Cambridge University Press, 2006), was selected for a prestigious Templeton Enterprise Award, an annual recognition of the best publications from the previous year on the culture of enterprise.
An authority on Adam Smith (1723-90)--the father of modern economics--he has written extensively on the moral foundations of capitalism and comparisons between competing systems of political economy.
"Dr. Otteson is an award-winning philosopher whose interests cross disciplinary boundaries and bring scholarship to bear on important debates beyond the academy," said William Anthony Hay, institute director.
"Presenting a perspective drawn from the 18th century work of Adam Smith and others of the Enlightenment period helps students engage important debates that resonate today," Hay added.
Established by MSU's College of Arts and Sciences in 2005, the lecture series regularly brings prominent speakers to campus for the benefit of students, faculty and interested members of the general public.
"The series has featured leading scholars, writers and creative artists recognized as among the best in their fields," Hay noted. "It highlights the importance of the humanities and the contribution that the College of Arts and Sciences makes to Mississippi State and beyond."
Immediately following the McCool Hall program, Otteson will be available to sign copies of his latest book, "The End of Socialism" (Cambridge University Press, 2014). Copies will be available for sale at the location.
For more on his MSU visit, contact Hay at whay@history.msstate.edu. General information on the institute is found at www.ih.msstate.edu.
MSU is online at www.msstate.edu.