MORAL LIFE AND THE MODERN WORLD

UNDERGRADUATE COLLOQUIUM

What does it take to live a moral life over time — not just in moments of crisis or decision, but in the ordinary rhythms of daily life? In a world shaped by efficiency, productivity, and constant evaluation, it can be difficult to cultivate habits of attention, judgement, and care that endure. 

We are shaped by the values prioritized in the modern world, the institutional settings we inhabit, and the small, repeated choices that fill our days. How, then, can we remain active participants in our own formation and exercise agency in who we are becoming? Rather than offering clear rules or easy answers, the retreat invites participants to reflect on who they are becoming within the university and beyond.

This undergraduate colloquium is an opportunity to reflect together on the moral dimensions of modern life. Across our discussions, participants will consider how moral lives are formed through patterns of thought and practice: how we come to recognize ways we are being shaped, how we sustain commitments over time, and how we remain oriented toward the good amid competing demands.

This program is free and open to undergraduate students and recent graduates (≤1 year) who are not currently enrolled in a graduate program. Participants are required to attend the retreat in its entirety, which will take place at the Berkeley Institute. See below for descriptions of each session and a general schedule of events.