The Appignani Foundation Chair for the Study of Atheism, Humanism, and Secular Ethics
The Appignani Foundation Chair was established in 2016 through a generous gift to the University from Miami businessman and philanthropist Louis J. Appignani. The position is the first of its kind in the nation, and part of the “100 talents for 100 years” initiative to establish 100 new endowed chairs in celebration of the University’s centennial in 2025.
Through a combination of activities in research, teaching, and outreach, the Chair will explore approaches to understanding our place and impact in the world that emphasize the methods of reason and science, and encourage interdisciplinary thinking inspired by these methods to address challenging questions regarding knowledge, ethics, and the public good.
Topics investigated will include atheism, naturalism, secularism, science and society, and conceptions of meaning and values. Special lectures, workshops, conferences, and public events will promote scholarship, discussion, and engagement with University and wider communities, promoting rigorous thinking about some of the most important issues of our time.
