WitherspoonInstitute

What does it mean to live in an age of crisis, and are today’s apocalyptic warnings merely rhetorical, or signs of something deeper? In the second half of the semester, join us for Prophets of Doom, a Friday seminar led by R. J. Snell exploring Girard, Thiel, Kingsnorth, Turchin, and others on technology, culture, and the language of “end times.” Open to Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary students. Lunch provided. Learn more at the link below.

Can a society marked by deep disagreement promise justice for all? @McCormickProf, Witherspoon Institute's Herbert W. Vaughan Senior Fellow, will explore this question in the 2026 Kellogg Lecture, “Why Liberal Secularism Fails.”

What was the story of the underground Czech philosopher Jan Patočka and the movement of Charter 77 that he inspired? Listen to the latest podcast episode of Madison's Notes, this time with host @RyanShinkel interviewing guest R.J. Snell (from @WitherspoonInst & @PublicDiscourse), to find out: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s5e…

Last Saturday evening, students traveled to Philadelphia for a cultural excursion to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra perform works by Rachmaninoff and Schumann. Experiences like this are at the heart of our programs: forming students not only through ideas, but through shared encounters with what is true, good, and beautiful.

A new episode of Madison's Notes is out. With Holy Week and Passover starting next week, host @RyanShinkel interviewed R.J. Snell, the academic programs director at @WitherspoonInst and editor-in-chief of @PublicDiscourse, to talk about the philosophy of hope. They discuss Charles Taylor's A Secular Age, the quest for re-enchantment in technology, politics, and culture, and examples of authentic hope, from Anglo-Saxon warriors to Soviet dissident writers, plus much more. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s5e…

What does it mean to live in an age of crisis, and are today’s apocalyptic warnings merely rhetorical, or signs of something deeper? In the second half of the semester, join us for Prophets of Doom, a Friday seminar led by R. J. Snell exploring Girard, Thiel, Kingsnorth, Turchin, and others on technology, culture, and the language of “end times.” Open to Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary students. Lunch provided. Learn more at the link below.

What does it take to resist temptation and live with discipline? In the second half of the semester, join us for a close reading of Plutarch and Prudentius on the formation of willpower, led by R. J. Snell. Open to Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary students. Light breakfast provided. Learn more at the link below.

Starting soon, Dr. Elizabeth Corey will lead our final Witherspoon Forum seminar of the year, Rebuilding Civil Society. Why does civil society seem so fragile today—and how might it be renewed? Students will explore the role of local institutions such as churches, schools, neighborhoods, and civic associations in sustaining healthy communities, drawing on insights from thinkers like Roger Scruton and Robert Nisbet. 📚 Grades 10–12 💻 Live on Zoom Link below.

We are proud to celebrate Senior Fellow @Bradfor38544520 on his nomination by President Trump to serve as Archivist of the United States. A distinguished scholar of American constitutional thought, Brad has long contributed to the study and preservation of our nation’s founding principles.

Witherspoon alumni: we’re hosting a storytelling contest. Submit a reflection (500 words or fewer) on a meaningful experience from a Summer Seminar, academic-year program, the Forum, or the John Witherspoon Fellowship. Top 5 entries will be featured on our website + receive a signed copy of R. J. Snell’s latest book. Deadline: March 30. Link in bio.

R. J. Snell's lecture, "The Terrible Covenant of Sloth: Boredom and the Resistance of Joy," was recently featured on the @ThomisticInst podcast! Tune in below: podcast.thomisticinstitute.org

Fellows and visitors to the John Jay Institute are often surprised to find that Fairview Manor is so close to Princeton, NJ, giving the Institute an expanse of cultural experiences in our backyard. Thanks to the @WitherspoonInst for graciously hosting our fellows and sharing about the important work they are leading. John Jay Fellows also got to visit University Chapel, the Princeton University Art Museum, and (of course) the good Mr. Witherspoon’s statue.

Enrollment in the Witherspoon Forum has grown by 138% in just one year. High school students are seeking serious conversation and thoughtful engagement with questions of freedom, virtue, faith, and the common good. Now we aim to double again. If you know a student who would thrive in rigorous discussion and intellectual friendship, encourage them to apply. Link in first reply.

Starting February 17, Dr. Janet Madigan leads our next Witherspoon Forum seminar, Courtship in America. How have dating and relationships changed—and what have we lost along the way? Students will explore the cultural and moral foundations of courtship, friendship, and marriage. 📚 Grades 10–12 🗓️ Feb 17, 7:00 p.m. ET 💻 Live on Zoom Link below.

One week left to apply for Witherspoon’s Summer Seminars in Princeton. Join students from around the world for serious study, great books, and conversations that matter, all in a community built around a shared love of ideas. Programs for rising high school juniors & seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students. Apply now — link in bio.