Teresa Bejan
Associate Professor | Political Theory & Civility
About
Teresa Bejan is an Associate Professor of Political Theory at the University of Oxford. Her research explores the history of political thought, with a focus on concepts of civility, toleration, and the boundaries of free speech.
Bejan is the author of two acclaimed books, 'Mere Civility' and 'Feeling in Kind', which have reshaped academic and public understandings of civil discourse. Her TEDx talks have reached millions, sharing insights on how to navigate political polarization with wisdom and empathy.
Bejan's keynotes challenge audiences to rethink the role of civility in a free society.
Talks1
Is civility a sham?
What exactly is civility, and what does it require? In a talk packed with historical insights, political theorist Teresa Bejan explains how civility has been used as both the foundation of tolerant societies and as a way for political partisans to silence and dismiss opposing views. Bejan suggests that we should instead try for "mere civility": the virtue of being able to disagree fundamentally with others without destroying the possibility of a common life tomorrow. (This talk contains mature language.)
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