Columbia alumna Julia Galef (CC ‘05) asks us to consider the following: Do we approach ideas and people as soldiers, sorting friends from enemies and seeking to win a battle? Or do we act as scouts, seeking to learn the truth about what we perceive—even if it is different from what we expected? The Scout Mindset captures an important part of Beginner’s Mind, an approach to life that is open to many possibilities, free from preconceived notions or biases.

Join James Valentini, Dean Emeritus of Columbia College and Professor of Chemistry for a small-group discussion of Beginner’s Mind and how we can think better.

This dinner seminar is co-sponsored by Columbia University Religious Life will be held in the Dodge Room of Earl Hall. It is the first in a three-part series with Deantini.