The public is invited to a book talk with Richard Penaskovic and Paul Harris, editor and contributor to Peacebuilding in a Fractious World: On Hoping against All Hope.

The contributors to Peacebuilding in a Fractious World: On Hoping against All Hope argue that since violence begets violence, we must privilege soft power over military might, if we are to have peace on earth. Gandhi used soft power in India overcame British military might, and King used it to bring about integration in the 1960s. Soft power brought about the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, the Kyoto climate agreement, and Iran’s agreement to refrain from making nuclear weapons. Soft power involves both dialogue between world leaders and conflict resolution, and privileges diplomacy over war.

Richard Penaskovic is Emertus Professor in the Department of Philosophy. He has authored or edited several books, including Theology & Authority. He currently serves as associate editor of the Rahner Papers for the journal Philosophy & Theology.

Paul Harris is Associate Director of the Honors College and Professor in the Department of Political Science.

The event is free, open to the public, and will be followed by refreshments. Books will be available for purchase and signing. The Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Pebble Hill is located at 101 S. Debardeleben Street, Auburn.