Shunryu Suzuki's motto—“In the Beginner's Mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few"—encourages us to approach the world with an openness to truths and experiences that we might not expect. This openness is a foundation for humanistic inquiry, which seeks to understand human beings and their place in the universe. For philosophers and other humanists, the impossibility of fully grasping the human condition pushes us to study it all the more.

On Monday, March 24, at 6:30 PM, join James Valentini, Dean Emeritus of Columbia College and Professor of Chemistry, and Katja Vogt, Professor of Philosophy, for a small-group discussion of Beginner’s Mind and humanistic inquiry.

This event will take place in the Dodge Room of the Earl Hall Center for Religious Life.