Cornel West and Robert P. George Explore Truth, Community, and the Pursuit of Knowledge at Etz Family Institute Event

What is truth, and why does it matter? 

This was the foundational question discussed by Robert P. George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and Cornel West, the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary, in their dialogue, Truth Matters: Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division. The event was held at Galesburg’s Central Congregational Church on Thursday, January 29, and the two engaged in a lively discussion, emphasizing virtues such as courage, love, wisdom, honesty, and compassion in front of nearly 500 members of the Knox and Galesburg communities.

“Unless we are open to dialogue and discussion to change, we will constantly be reinforced in what we already believe,” George said. “We’ll be reinforced in what we believe to be true, and we’ll also be reinforced in what we believe is also false.”

The event was hosted by the Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue and moderated by Thomas Bell, associate professor of political science and director of the Institute. Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney opened the evening by highlighting the Institute’s founding goal.

“At our first Etz Family Institute last October, I shared that our global society is facing extreme polarization and our world is grappling with war and conflict on multiple fronts,” said President McGadney. “These words ring even more true today, and now is the time to build the skills and practice radical compassion to listen, to really listen to people who disagree with us and commit to modeling dialogue across our differences.”

West and George answered questions from Bell and the audience on topics including truth, community, activism, political movements, and the next generation’s impact through engagement. 

“We were delighted to host Cornel West and Robert P. George at Central Congregational Church for what proved to be a lively and engaging conversation,” Bell said. “It was amazing to see our community show up and to be so enthusiastic. I think it’s clear that people are hungry for high quality discourse on important issues in our public life.”

The duo referenced historical figures, including Knox and Galesburg founder George Washington Gale and other local figures, and encouraged attendees to help foster compromise and civil discussion amid current political and civil challenges.

“Every generation has a crowd of witnesses. Knox is one example; they [the College’s founders] were cut against the grain, they did not join with those who did not object to the enslavement of others,” West said. “At Knox, they said, ‘We stand for something bigger than just the idolatry of race, we stand for truth that we’re willing to fight for.’ Knox, with its legacy, is still going strong, tied to community, tied to history, tied to its legacy. Empires, societies, and democracies are like our lives; they come and go, and it depends on what we decide to do as individuals and communities to stay engaged.”

Both George and West also emphasized the need to clarify the true goals of higher education for students and educators alike.

“What I have come to believe as a result of my own college experience is that it made me understand that the mission is not fundamental wealth, power, status, prestige, celebrity; those things are good, it’s not bad to want them, but it’s not what really matters,” George said. “Those don’t matter at the end of the day; what really matters is what you desire, intelligently want. Not simply means to other ends, but things that are ends in themselves, family, friends, faith, knowledge, beauty, integrity, honesty, decency. Knowledge, that’s the simple concern of a college and university.”

In addition to knowledge, truth, and wisdom, George and West highlighted love as a key virtue in the pursuit of truth. They discussed how love shapes our communication, helps us determine what truly matters, and guides us through difficult times. Humility and respect for others keep dialogue open and balanced, motivating us to pursue truth even in challenging circumstances.

“We begin with ourselves. Do we have the courage to push that back so that the way to truth is not abstract talk, but what you’re willing to risk, what you’re willing to give up, what you’re willing to fight for, what you’re willing to love for, what you’re willing to die for,” West shared.

This was the second community event hosted by the Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue since its founding in May 2024, thanks to a generous gift from Tony Etz ’83 and Nancy Etz. The Institute prepares students to work across differences and have the difficult dialogues necessary to create lasting and positive change in the world.

“Tony was a true partner to me as we worked together to make this great college even better, and he was also a very dear, dear friend,” President McGadney said. “I’m certain tonight’s program is a shining example of Tony and Nancy’s vision of what they hope for with the creation of this institute.” 

Watch the Truth Matters: Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division event HERE.