{"id":100440,"date":"2026-08-28T08:56:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/?p=100440"},"modified":"2026-08-28T12:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T16:04:21","slug":"institute-to-kick-off-fall-series-with-exploration-of-free-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/08_28_2026\/institute-to-kick-off-fall-series-with-exploration-of-free-speech","title":{"rendered":"Institute to Kick Off Fall Series with Exploration of Free Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Toledo\u2019s Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership will tease out the limits of free speech in two faculty-led events next week.<\/p>\n

Nathan Goetting will kick off the Institute\u2019s Fall Colloquium Series with a discussion on whether even the most radical and dangerous ideas deserve protection at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Law Center\u2019s Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick Lounge.<\/p>\n

\"Nathan

Nathan Goetting is an instructor in the College of Law and a faculty fellow at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership.<\/p><\/div>\n

A lunch-and-lecture event will continue the exploration of this absolutist view of free speech at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Law Center Room 1013.<\/p>\n

Goetting is an instructor in the College of Law and a faculty fellow at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership. The discussions reflect themes he explores in his latest book, \u201cFree Speech Absolutism: Why the Constitution of the United States Makes Free Speech Its Most Important Right,\u201d which Ethics International Press released in April.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m grateful to the Institute for inviting me to speak,\u201d Goetting said. \u201c ‘Free Speech Absolutism’ argues that by legally protecting the expression of even the vilest, most unpopular and dangerous ideas we become a wiser, stronger and freer country. I look forward to explaining why this is so \u2014 and answering any criticisms \u2014 during these events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meals are provided at each of next week\u2019s events, and students are asked to register in advance via InvoNet.<\/p>\n

The free speech events kick off the Institute\u2019s Fall Colloquium Series, which comprises four lively academic forums designed for students to address compelling themes, engage big ideas, ask honest questions and cultivate the habits of thoughtful civic leadership.<\/p>\n

UToledo faculty lead each colloquium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:<\/p>\n