Professor Loren E. Lomasky of the University of Virginia’s Program in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law addressed the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society on October 17, 2008, on the question: “Why Should You Bother to Vote?”
Professor Lomasky addressed many of the reasons put forward for voting, and found that they fell into three main lines of argument: Utilitarian considerations, the generalization argument, and the expressive argument. In the course of his presentation, Professor Lomasky came to some surprising conclusions about our civic duty to vote. A lively discussion followed.
Loren Lomasky is Cory Professor of Political Philosophy, Policy and Law, and Director of the Political Philosophy, Policy and Law Program. Professor Lomasky is best known for his work in moral and political philosophy. Lomasky has been the recipient of many awards including the 1991 Matchette Prize for his book Persons, Rights, and the Moral Community.