Northern Plains Ethics Institute

08/26/2026

The Democratic Spirit at 250: A Conversation with Dr. Kwame Anthony Appiah
Thursday, September 17, 2026
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
Location: Zoom (online): https://www.thestudynd.org/event-details/the-democratic-spirit-at-250-a-conversation-with-dr-kwame-anthony-appiah

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Appiah will explore the philosophical foundations of liberty, equality, civic responsibility, and the democratic ideals that continue to shape American life. The program will include a lecture followed by audience Q&A.

This event is FREE and open to everyone, but registration is required. Registration information and event details are available here: https://www.thestudynd.org/event-details/the-democratic-spirit-at-250-a-conversation-with-dr-kwame-anthony-appiah

Dr. Appiah is Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University, a recipient of the National Humanities Medal and the Library of Congress Kluge Prize, and the author of numerous influential books on ethics, identity, culture, and democracy.

This event is proudly sponsored by North Dakota State University's Phi Kappa Phi Chapter and the Northern Plains Ethics Institute at NDSU, in partnership with The Study ND, the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and the ND 250th Commission.

03/23/2026

One of our colleague's is giving a talk!

In 1889, industrialist Andrew Carnegie called public libraries “the best gift that can be given to a community;” he believed through hard work and education everyone could improve their lives. North Dakotans overwhelmingly agreed. This talk, presented by Dr. Ashley Baggett, Associate Professor o...

02/18/2026

The NPEI fulfilling its mission to inspire democratic participation in social and ethical issues affecting the Northern Plains and beyond!

01/07/2026

Our upcoming event on the 15th is being postponed. We will provide an update on the rescheduled date and time as soon as we are able to do so in a future post.

In the meantime, we welcome you to attend another upcoming talk with Dr. Ted Davis.

Northern Plains Ethics Institute Noon Luncheon

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Speaker: Ted Davis
Topic: “Why Christianity is Good for Science”
Zoom link: https://ndsu.zoom.us/j/97579815780?pwd=WqbtbfXPVuIwvTR5EA0UjOFpN8eWb1.1

Abstract:
A vocal group of contemporary scientists and others known as “New Atheists” pit reason versus religion, fact versus faith, and science versus Christianity. This talk responds directly to that attitude. Drawing on information and insights from the history and philosophy of science, I argue that Christian faith actually complements the picture of the world coming from the sciences. The doctrine of creation grounds a deep understanding of both the way the world is and how we should go about understanding it, while providing a powerful motive for investigating nature.

Brief Bio
Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis is Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Messiah University, an Affiliate Fellow in the Department of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine at the University of Oklahoma, and a Fellow of the International Society for Science & Religion. Ted studied physics at Drexel University before earning the Ph.D. in history and philosophy of science from Indiana University, where his mentor was Richard S. Westfall. At Messiah he taught the history of science from Plato to Newton; Darwin, evolution, and God; an honors seminar on Galileo; the capstone course for science majors about the human dimensions of science; and an honors course on the origins controversy in America. His lectures on “The Scientific Revolution: Its Classical and Christian History,” are available from ClassicalU. His study of modern Jonah stories was featured on two BBC radio programs. Ted has three main research interests: Robert Boyle, whose works he edited with Michael Hunter; the interaction of Christian beliefs and science during the Scientific Revolution; and religion and science in America since 1800. He was an advisor for exhibits at the National Museum of American History and the Museum of the Bible. His latest book, Protestant Modernist Pamphlets: Science and Religion in the Scopes Era, was published in 2024 by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Ted lectures and writes for scholarly and popular audiences, in print and online. He has been a speaker at the Pennsylvania Chautauqua in Mt. Gretna, a Fulbright Senior Specialist in New Zealand, and a visiting lecturer at Fudan University and Wuhan University in China. The Veritas Forum, the Faith Angle Forum, BioLogos, and the Faraday Institute have sponsored his talks. Altogether he has spoken at nearly one hundred colleges, universities, and seminaries on five continents. He especially enjoys interacting with people in small groups or individually, including advising scholars about research projects.