The Art of Blaming and Forgiving – The 2023 Adams Symposium for the Humanities

View This Year's Agenda

The sixth annual symposium in honor of distinguished UNC philosopher Maynard Adams (1919–2003) will focus on the emotionally charged dimensions of difficult social relationships: What is the point of blaming someone after they have wronged you? Does blame help the wrongdoer see the moral significance of what they have done?

The symposium will begin Friday, March 24 at 5:30pm with keynote speaker Miranda Fricker, professor of philosophy and co-director of the New York Institute for Philosophy at New York University. Her lecture, “The Art of Blaming and Forgiving,” will explore these questions to suggest how the experience of blaming and then forgiving can become an interpersonal art that creates shared moments of moral understanding. A reception will follow Dr. Fricker’s talk.

The symposium continues on Saturday, March 25 as two panels of faculty colleagues and public humanists respond to Professor Fricker’s themes and discuss why it is difficult to forgive wrongdoers. Panelists will be announced shortly.

The Adams Symposium is free and open to the public. Both days will take place at the Kenan Conference Center (click for map, scroll down for parking updates) at the Kenan-Flagler Business School on UNC’s Campus. Please use the form below to receive updates about the Symposium:

2023 Adams Symposium Interest Form

Use the links below to register for the virtual keynote or virtual panel discussions.

Register for Friday's Virtual Keynote

Register for Saturday's Virtual Panel Discussion

Carolina Public Humanities thanks the Taylor Charitable Trust, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Philosophy Department for generously supporting this year’s Maynard Adams Symposium.

Important Parking Information for Friday & Saturday

Due to construction, Kenan Center Dr will be closed. There will be two places to park for the Adams Symposium:

1. The Kenan Visitor Center Lot, which is the closest lot to the entrance of the Kenan Conference Center. This lot will be accessible via Mason Farm Rd. Look for the orange sandwich board on Mason Farm Rd indicating where to turn for Adams Symposium Parking. Please see THIS MAP for directions on how to access the Kenan Visitor Center Lot.
2. The Business School Parking Deck, which is accessible via Skipper Bowles Dr. After parking, take the elevator to the 6th floor to access the pedestrian bridge. Once you cross the bridge, the Kenan Center will be on your left. Please see THIS MAP for directions on how to access the Business School Parking Deck.

Important Traffic Notice for Saturday

Zeta Tau Alpha will be holding their annual Franklin 5K Charity Run on Saturday morning and parts of Franklin St and UNC’s campus will be closed. Please avoid South Rd, Franklin St. Ridge Rd, and Stadium Dr that morning. Please see THIS MAP for road closures on Saturday morning.