Political philosopher Philip Pettit will speak at Youngstown State University on Oct. 2 as the Dr. Thomas and Albert J. Shipka Speaker for fall 2025.

His lecture, “Democracy: The What, the Why and the How” will explore core questions: Is democracy just an electoral system, or a way for people to influence government? Does it matter because it forms a common will, or because it holds leaders accountable? And should power come from one authority or a network of checks and balances?

Pettit is the L.S. Rockefeller Professor of Human Values at Princeton University and a distinguished professor of philosophy at the Australian National University.

Born and educated in Ireland, he has taught at several universities and worked extensively in ethical and political theory.

He is the author of numerous books, including “Republicanism” (1997), “On the People’s Terms” (2012), “Just Freedom” (2014), “The State” (2023) and “When Minds Converse: A Social Genealogy of the Human Soul” (2025).

The lecture starts at 12:30 p.m. in the Williamson College of Business Administration auditorium.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided following the event.

The Dr. Thomas and Albert J. Shipka Speakers Series brings internationally respected scholars to YSU to present lectures on a variety of topics.