The C. Stephen Layman Lecture Series in Philosophy
Department of Philosophy
On the occasion of his retirement in 2016, the Department of Philosophy established the C. Stephen Layman Lecture Series in Philosophy in honor of Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and longtime chair Steve Layman. Dr. Layman is author of God: Eight Enduring Questions (Notre Dame Press, 2022), Philosophical Approaches to Atonement, Incarnation, and the Trinity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016), Letters to Doubting Thomas: A Case for the Existence of God (Oxford University Press, 2006), and The Power of Logic, editions 1-3 (McGraw Hill, 2005, 2002, 1999), as well as numerous articles and book chapters.
The lecture series brings to campus first-rate philosophers from some of the nation’s top research universities to give a talk on a topic in the philosophy of religion. Lecturers also visit philosophy classes and meet for coffee with students. These informal interactions give students terrific access to philosophers whose work they’ve read, as well as an opportunity to ask questions that are both philosophical and vocational in nature.
What our students say:
“I found my way to the Philosophy Department after realizing that my first major, in a STEM field, was not for me. Instead, I felt drawn to the deeper questions regarding human existence and the nature of reality. The opportunity to attend lectures like the one given [in 2023] by Dr. Finch showed me that, even in the 21st century, philosophy can have a perplexing, liberating, and empowering impact on the hearts and minds of those who participate.”
– Chris, double major in Philosophy and Computer Science, ASSP Treasurer, Class of 2023
“I have grown as both a scholar and a person in studying philosophy at SPU, developing close relationships with my peers and professors who challenge me to think critically, work hard at pursing answers, and ask thoughtful and meaningful questions. The opportunity to not only interact with philosophers that we read in class, but be treated as their equal is something I will value long after I graduate, and getting to participate in philosophy conversations beyond SPU is not only beneficial to me as a student of philosophy, but is something that benefits me as both an interdisciplinary student and as I move beyond my undergraduate experience.”
– Junia, triple major in Politics, Philosophy, Economics (philosophy concentration), Political Science, and Honors Liberal Arts, Class of 2023
“The Layman lectures have provided an invaluable opportunity to observe the current progress being made in philosophy and experience the types of debates necessary to this progress. Witnessing the nature of intellectual pursuit in philosophy has encouraged my confidence in the role I could play.”
– Rebecca, triple major in Philosophy, History, and Honors Liberal Arts, Class of 2023