(March 1, 2013)

Centenary's Forum explores consumer responsibility

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary's Forum, an annual event focused on social issues, will take place March 11 and 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Whited Room of Bynum Commons. Both events are free and open to the public.

Consuming Choices book cover

This year's Forum will examine consumer responsibility:

  • Are consumers responsible for all of the policies and activities of a company when they buy their product?

  • How far does that responsibility extend?

The March 11 session features Dr. David Schwartz, author and professor at Randolph College. Schwartz will lead a discussion on ethical consumerism and his book, Consuming Choices: Ethics in a Global Consumer Age, released in May 2010. His philosophical research centers on questions of value, both ethical and aesthetical, and he is especially interested in how value claims inform public policy and personal responsibility.

Students and Shreveport-Bossier citizens will continue the conversation on March 18. The panel will feature Centenary students Karley Aiken and Greg Ewing as well as Jeff Everson, City Councilman of District B, and realtor Carolyn Manning. Afterward, the audience will be invited to ask questions and join the discussion.

Columns from Schwartz and Forum participants will appear in the Shreveport Times prior to each meeting.

Dr. Shwartz's column, "A bargain at any price," is now available.

Dr. Chris Ciocchetti, Centenary Associate Professor of Philosophy, coordinates the annual Forum event, which presents discussions on various social issues and opposing points of view, and then features responses from students and members of the local community as well as audience questions.

For further information, contact Ciocchetti at 318.869.5246 or visit the Forum webpage.