Enduring Ideas: The Problem of Prejudice

Professor Dominic Abrams, University of Kent, discusses ‘the problem of prejudice’

In our third lecture Professor Dominic Abrams, University of Kent, discusses ‘the problem of prejudice’. Prejudice takes many forms within and between different social groups. Recently, Europe has seen many examples of the best and worst of human behaviour ranging from compassion to indifference, prejudice and discrimination, in response to the refugee crisis, economic turmoil and acts of corruption, extremism or terror. Communities continue to be divided according to different beliefs and attitudes – whether on ethnicity, gender, age or religion. Is a tendency to stereotype and judge an inherent part of human nature, an inevitable feature of society, or something that can be effectively absorbed or prevented through education and social policy? Why are people selectively tolerant? What are the opportunities for building a cohesive society which includes many different groups? Is it wildly optimistic to aim for sustained societal harmony and cohesion? Professor Abrams will examine whether the tension between our desire for social cohesion and shared identity and our tendency to pre-judge others means diverse communities will never be easy to sustain.

The evening will be chaired by Professor Dame Helen Wallace, leading expert on the politics of European Integration, British Library Board member, and Foreign Secretary and International Vice-President of the British Academy.

The event is followed by a pay bar until 21.00.

In partnership with the Academy of Social Sciences.