Café Inquiry (Online) – Personal Liberty vs. Public Health

This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

There has been tension between personal liberty and public health measures for as long as there have been public health measures. The recent Covid pandemic is a good example of how this tension can become politicized, to the detriment of public health and our society as a whole. Join us ONLINE as Café Inquiry takes a look at this conflict between personal freedoms and public health. We’ll touch on some of the historical battles and discuss some means by which we might reduce this conflict. For background, this article from Infectious Disease Advisor outlines conditions under which public health needs justify restrictions on individual liberty. This opinion piece from The Regulatory Review argues for the good of the commonwealth over unfettered individual freedom. Finally, this Voices in Bioethics piece argues that civil liberty vs. public health is a false choice. This should be a lively and (we hope) thought-provoking discussion of an important subject that can be very polarizing. Hope to see your virtual selves there!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Critiques on views and claims based on merit are allowed, but not attacks on individuals who hold other perspectives.

Any person engaging in disruptive behavior or harassment will be asked to leave, and may be banned from future events pending the severity of the action. Please speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.