As we close another academic year at the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, I’m proud to celebrate the momentum we’ve sustained throughout the spring. The Center’s core faculty has been growing in size — be on the lookout for our very first “Research Digest” in June featuring the important research being conducted by our faculty. This newsletter provides an update on our non-research outreach.
This year brought many milestones—from welcoming our first ever international European Master in Law and Economics students to Arizona, to educating the next generation of Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law students at the Undergraduate Summer School, to empowering young women through Invest in Girls, to welcoming the Museum of Democracy to campus in partnership with the Arizona Board of Regents’ Presidential Project. Each endeavor reflects our ongoing commitment to dialogue, discovery, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.
As our reach and impact continue to grow, so too must our reflection—especially on the vital importance of free expression and open inquiry. In a time when public discourse often feels more polarized than productive, we must recommit to the principles that allow open dialogue to thrive—particularly among those who hold differing perspectives.
The English poet and philosopher John Milton wrote in his 1644 treatise Areopagitica, “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.” His words remain profoundly relevant today. Freedom of speech and free inquiry is more than a legal right—it is the cornerstone of intellectual growth, civic engagement, and moral progress.
Yet we must be honest about the challenges. When social pressures discourage open expression, we risk replacing thoughtful dialogue with silence. And with that silence, we lose the opportunity to build mutual understanding and shared purpose. It is through honest, respectful exchange—even and especially in disagreement—that we find common ground and move forward together.
The Center remains steadfast in creating a space where diverse ideas can be heard and explored. Disagreement should not divide us—it should draw us into deeper conversation and mutual respect. Progress depends not on retreating into ideological corners, but on engaging with one another in the spirit of good faith and shared curiosity.
Thank you for your continued support of the Center throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. As we look toward Fall 2025, I invite you to join us in strengthening a culture of freedom—one grounded in openness, inquiry, and the courage to engage across difference.
Assistant Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science, James E. Rogers College of Law (Affiliated Faculty)
The Arizona Board of Regents’ Presidential Project, in partnership with the Museum of Democracy and the Freedom Center brought the exhibit “You say you want a revolution?: Politics and Protests in the 60’s” for the 2024–2025 academic year to campus. The launch event focused on finding common ground in divisive times and featured Drs. Robert George and Cornel West. The activities included a special meeting with President Suresh Garimella and remarks from Interim Provost Ronald Marx and Representative Matt Gress.
More About The MuseumAn evening of connection and conversation brought together over 150 guests to explore the intersections of freedom, hospitality, and leadership alongside the Museum of Democracy. This co-hosted mixer saw people from many backgrounds connecting and engaging in meaningful conversations centered on the shared values of freedom, hospitality and leadership—principles rooted in openness and inclusion.
Evening Recaps & Photos
The Freedom Center, in collaboration with the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) and the UA Discourse Series hosted a lively dialogue “Bridging America’s Political Divide in an Election Year”, featuring former Obama Press Aide Johanna Maska and Trump Administration Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Moderated by Keith Allred (NICD), the event drew over 100 participants and demonstrated the power of respectful, bi-partisan conversation.
Details About The DebateThe University of Arizona has joined the European Masters in Law and Economics (EMLE) Consortium, a prestigious international program established in 1990 and accredited by the European Commission. The U of A is the newest consortium member—and the first institute in North America to join. Students study in three global locations, earning a degree at each, with three concentrations across nine universities on three continents.
EMLE News Release
Showcasing extraordinary intellectual talent, the Freedom Center’s FC Research Digest is set to launch in June 2025. This annual digest will highlight scholarly productions including journal articles, books, significant conference presentations, and other noteworthy accomplishments from the Center’s faculty and affiliated scholars.
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It has been an exciting year of community engagement at the exhibit—bringing schools and organizations around the state to campus to learn about politics, protest, and their role in building a thriving, free society (and what it’s like to be a Wildcat). More than 1,000 visitors engaged with real presidential memorabilia firsthand. Now that the lower level of the Campus Store is the first stop for U of A Campus Tours, even more visitors experience the exhibit daily.
A new exhibit, including a replica Press Briefing area for fun photo-ops and an AI-driven, interactive simulation of past presidents arrives in August!
More About The Museum Exhibit & ToursThe Freedom Center played a leading role in the third annual Foundations of Civic Culture summit, co-hosted with the Cato Institute’s Sphere Education Initiatives in Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s summit included a Salute to Teachers dinner and keynote address by Professor Bryan Caplan (George Mason University), plus professional education workshops with nationally renowned scholars and educators.
Keep an eye out for announcements about the next summit in Jan. 2026!
Learn More
The Center for the Philosophy of Freedom is proud to celebrate the graduating students of the 2024–2025 academic year. Featured are a few of the students obtaining either their PhD in Philosophy or their Master in Legal Studies with support from the Freedom Center.
Read More About Our Graduating Students
Over the year FC Talks hosted leading scholars across philosophy, political economy, moral science, law, and economics—inviting lively discussion and debate. Thank you to David Clark (Assistant Professor of Philosophy) for coordinating talks for the 2024–2025 academic year.
- Musa Al-Gharbi — “We have Never been Woke: the Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite” (Stony Brook University)
- Allen Buchanan & Simone Sepe — “State Capacity and the Fate of Justice” (U of A & Duke University)
- David Schmidtz — “Social Entrepreneurship” (West Virginia University)
- Craig Warmke — “Sour Grapes Bias: A Case for Bitcoin” (Northern Illinois University)
- Laura Razzolini — “Who Gives and Why? The Power of Ownership in Dictator Games” (University of Alabama)
- Saura Masconale — “The Morality of Market Activism” (University of Arizona)
- Oct. 6 – 10
- Nov. 10 – 14
- Jan. 11 – 31
- Feb. 8 – 28
- Mar. 2 – 6
- 12news.com: Gender pay gap widens for the first time since 2003
- KGUN9: You say you want a revolution? New U of A exhibit puts political protest on display
- KGUN9: A house united? Sean Spicer, Johanna Maska talk bridging political divide during election season
- KGUN9: UofA Freedom Center names student winners of ‘Create your Own Campaign’ contest
- YouTube: UA Discourse Series | Bridging America’s Political Divide
- ABC15: Teens showcase knowledge of economics, personal finance in state event
