Deliberative Democracy in a Thomistic Key: Political Prudence and Consilium

What does it take to deliberate well about the common good? Do we recognize real prudence when we see it, and do we hold our leaders to it as a standard? Can a medieval thinker help us answer these questions today? Dr. Theresa MacArt (Smart), assistant professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, will draw out the parallels between Thomas Aquinas’ theory of prudence and the needs of a healthy deliberative democracy, focusing in particular on consilium (deliberation or counsel) as an essential stage of prudent decision-making. She will also offer takeaways on how to grow in prudence both as citizen and leaders. 

The event is sponsored by the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Center for Scholarship and Statesmanship and the LEX Studies Program. 

Please contact Prof. Veronica Roberts Ogle (ver.ogle@assumption.edu) for Zoom link.