Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Professor Roberto Mangabeira Unger
Chair: Jo Fidgen
The progressive left lacks the imagination to tackle the fundamental problems of society. Renowned social theorist Roberto Unger calls on fellow progressives in Britain to think beyond current institutional arrangements.
Roberto Mangabeira Unger is the Roscoe Pound Professor of Law at Harvard University. He served as a minister in the Brazilian government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from 2007-2009.
In 1976, at 29 years old, Unger became one of the youngest faculty members to receive tenure from the Harvard Law School. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Mangabeira_Unger
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I was very privileged to attend this interview with Harvard Professor, Roberto Unger, on Thursday evening.
Athol had taken a course at Harvard with Roberto Unger so I have heard a lot about him.
Roberto Unger spoke about how he believed that we must all live larger lives, he felt that volunteering and being responsible for the welfare of others should be encouraged and maybe even compulsory. He said that we need to break the boundaries of family selfishness. I totally agree with him on this, as man needs to become less greedy and help those less fortunate. He also said that we need to focus on doing the small things that have a large impact in order to bring about change.
He is a great believer in experimental behavior and believes that that is how we will improve society, even if there are risks and high costs involved.
He believes in borderless countries and that we shouldn't be constrained by our place of birth.
When asked if he agreed with Russell Brand's view on not voting, he said that he disagrees and that it is our responsibility as citizens to play our part in society, we shouldn't just do nothing because we are not happy with the current system.
When asked to summarise his beliefs in one sentence, he said " we must die only once!".
Prof. Unger had some very interesting views, I agreed with many of the things that he said.
The world as it is, has many problems and I believe that there is scope for change and improvements. This sort of radical thinking does challenge the norms and thus could lead to better systems which ultimately is better for mankind.
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