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By Harper Hall
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As a child, I constantly bombarded my parents with questions. I wanted to know the reason behind everything, from why it was raining to whether God existed. My innate sense of curiosity was further fueled through thought-provoking classes that required me to ask in-depth questions and never be satisfied with superficial answers. I have always been comfortable with articulating my point of view; debating the differences between ethics, morals, and justice; and pondering essential questions.
Throughout my academic journey at the University of Louisville, I have engaged in many thought provoking discussions that have shaped my worldview. I have had the privilege of taking multiple classes from a wide range of disciplines, allowing me to undergo a well rounded college experience. My experience here at the McConnell Center has already been foundational to my growth as a student. I have deeply enjoyed diving into Plato’s Republic and Wendell Berry’s Jayber Crow, but what I love most about these seminars is being able to hear from the diverse perspectives my classmates offer. I believe strongly in the value of diversity in critical
conversations, and the different perspectives my classmates offer consistently challenge me to
reevaluate my assumptions or articulate my positions more clearly. Ultimately, our exchanges
stem from a shared desire to learn and serve to cultivate the formation of genuine friendships and
more educated opinions, even if we remain on different sides of the issue.
As future leaders, crucial conversations like these are vital to creating real change,
through developing the intentionality and ethicality behind our decisions. Discussing the roles of
ethics, morals, and justice during these seminars challenges us to pause and ensure we are
making responsible decisions in inclusive ways. The importance of civil discourse is taught
through democratic practices, inclusive spaces, and community involvement. Most importantly,
it is fueled by curiosity. Engaging in civil discourse is the key to unlocking awareness and
understanding when solving problems in any community and is necessary for the betterment of
our society.
Harper Hall is a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville in the class of 2028. She is studying political science and history.