Legal philosopher to give Stranahan Lecture Sept. 20

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Dr. John M. Finnis, professor emeritus at the University of Oxford and Biolchini Family Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame, will deliver this fall’s Stranahan Lecture titled, “A Conversation With Professor John Finnis.”

The conversation will take place Tuesday, Sept. 20, at noon in The University of Toledo Law Center McQuade Auditorium.

“John Finnis is the greatest living natural law theorist in the world. He is widely considered the person most responsible for reviving interest in natural law with his path-breaking book, Natural Law and Natural Rights (1980),” said Lee J. Strang, the John W. Stoepler Professor of Law and Values at the UT College of Law.

During the conversation, Finnis will explain natural law and some of its important implications. The lecture format will encourage audience members to ask questions and engage with the professor.

“Finnis’ lecture is sure to spark thought and conversation on this important topic,” Strang said.

A prolific scholar, Finnis has authored and edited numerous books and written dozens of articles and essays. Recently, he was honored when Oxford University Press published his collected works in a five-volume series. Finnis’ publications have focused on law, legal theory, moral and political philosophy, theology, and late Elizabethan-era history.

Finnis earned a bachelor of laws from Adelaide University in Australia and doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Until 2010, he held positions of lecturer, reader and chaired professor in law at Oxford. He also has held positions at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Malawi in Africa, and Boston College of Law. He is admitted to the English Bar, Gray’s Inn.

The free, public lecture is a part of the Stranahan National Issues Forum and is sponsored by the UT College of Law and its chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies. Food and drink will be provided.