One goal of the seminar is to discuss class readings and help others understand their usefulness within the context of the program. Another goal is to integrate readings, lectures, movies, workshops and guest presentations to increase everyone’s understanding of these facets. This means at times we will be talking about personal values and beliefs which may touch us on a deep emotional or ethical level. This, in turn, makes it important to set up certain ground- rules for class discussions.

1. Each person has the right to decide what personal beliefs or values he or she feel comfortable revealing and discussing.

2. Personal beliefs and values that are shared in discussions are to be treated as confidential. Personal experiences will be used in this seminar as a way of exploring philosophical and ethical issues, and should not be talked about in social conversation outside of this class.

Another goal of this seminar is to develop each person’s ability, first to express clearly what she or he believes to be true, and second, to give the reasons for thinking it is true. This calls for two more rules.

3. Each person’s sincere belief, expressed within this class, is to be listed to with respect. Part of this respectful attitude is the requirement to ask a person questions if you are not sure what the belief is that they are trying to express, or if you can’t understand how a rational person could sincerely hold such a belief. It is essential that this kind of questioning be understood as a sign of respect, not as an expression of hostility. The rule then is to do the work necessary to hear, understand and respect what others believe.

4. The fact that all expression of sincere belief are to be treated with respect does not imply that all belief expressed are to be treated as true. In fact, we can expect that different people will be expressing contradictory beliefs, so we will know that at least one of those beliefs must be false. Uncovering and examining why a person holds a belief, and whether those reasons actually support understanding of that belief again involves asking and answering difficult questions. It also involves uncovering fundamental and deeply held disagreements. The rule here is to diligently question what you think to be false and defend what you think to be true.

These last two rules are summed up in Voltaire’s dictum: "I do not approve of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."