Foundations: A Seminar on the Great Books of Political Philosophy

On Thursday, April 3rd, a new reading group from the Civil Discourse Project was inaugurated. The group introduces students to the ideas and philosophies that have shaped modern politics. In the first session of the reading group, Dr. Chris Coome, the post-doctoral fellow working with the Civil Discourse Project, met with students to cover Edmund Burke’s classic text, Reflections on the Revolution of France. The text is widely regarded as a seminal work in conservative political philosophy. 

Undergraduate student Alejandro Nina Duran said of the event, 

“In an era where meaningful political dialogue often collapses under the weight of polarization, Professor Coome’s seminar stood as a rare forum for intellectual rigor and civil discourse. By grounding discussion in the enduring wisdom of Burke, the seminar not only offered a critical lens through which to examine the present but also modeled the very prudence Burke advocated—deliberative patience grounded in history, tradition, and mutual respect. As participants left with questions still lingering and ideas still evolving, the seminar accomplished something rare and necessary: it reminded Duke’s community that deep disagreement, when approached thoughtfully, can be the foundation for shared understanding rather than division.”

Additional Resources

“Recap: Foundations Seminar on Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France,” The Lemur Magazine

Learn More: https://polis.duke.edu/event/foundations-a-seminar-on-the-great-books-of-political-philosophy