How should we think about homelessness? How should we conceive of it in relation to a value like freedom? How should we act in response to it on consideration of concepts like community? These are some of the questions that Professor Jeremy Waldron confronts in two landmark works in legal and political philosophy, “Homelessness and the Issue of Freedom,” and “Homelessness and Community”. Professor Waldron argues that, unlike the traditional view that on abstract liberal principles alone there is no reason to be troubled by the plight of the homeless, homelessness is in fact a matter of the utmost concern in relation to some of the most fundamental principles of liberal value. For our final meeting of the semester, we are pleased to be welcoming Professor Waldron to discuss this important and relevant subject with us and answer any questions we may have regarding it. Jeremy Waldron is one of the world’s leading legal and political philosophers, and he is University Professor here at NYU Law.

Here are the two relevant papers that you may look over ahead of time: Homelessness and the Issue of Freedom; Homelessness and Community; as well as a relevant episode of the philosophy podcast, Hi-Phi Nation, which includes a discussion of some the ideas found in the two works (recommended if you do not have the time to read the papers).

UPDATE: Due to new developments announced by NYU administration, the meeting will now be held online at our usual Zoom meeting room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2968142250?pwd=d0RpSWJMNXZSdjZNaFpiMEtpS0pMQT09