Discussion and disagreement are essential parts of university life. But too often angry assertion and fear of offense stamp these out. Shunryu Suzuki's standard—“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few"—demands patience and charity from us in our thought and debate. What does real dialogue look like? Is pluralism a strength or a weakness?

Join James Valentini, Dean Emeritus of Columbia College and Professor of Chemistry, and the Rev. Dr. Ian Rottenberg, Columbia’s Dean of Religious Life, for a small-group discussion of Beginner’s Mind and how we can disagree well.

This conversation 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.