STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville will host the “Power of Beauty” philosophy conference on October 24-25, 2014.

The conference will examine the power of beauty to renew both individual persons and entire communities. Many of the over 60 conference presenters will take as their point of departure Fyodor Dostoevsky’s famous statement, “beauty will save the world.” Speakers will reflect on the transformative and even salvific effects of beauty by exploring its power to impart new life, its power to engender love, and to awaken deep aspirations in the human heart.

Internationally renowned philosopher Dr. Roger Scruton will give the keynote address, “Beauty and Desecration.” Scruton has written over 40 books as well as many crucial studies in applied philosophy, including The Aesthetics of Architecture and Beauty: A Short Introduction. In his talk, he will consider the place of beauty in everyday life, the role it plays in reconciling us to one another, and man’s inclination to desecrate beauty. Scruton’s talk will be on Friday, October 24, at 4:00 p.m. in the Tony and Nina Gentile Gallery, J.C. Williams Center and is free and open to the public.

In addition to presentations by philosophers and theologians, artists and critics, the conference will feature presentations by the winners of the Graduate Student Essay Contest sponsored by the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Franciscan University’s MA Philosophy Program and the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project, which has its headquarters at Franciscan University. Dr. Scruton’s talk is part of Franciscan University’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

For more information and to register, visit the Conference page or the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project.