In 1978, Professor of Philosophy Fred Stoutland ‘54 initiated a series of yearly retreats where St. Olaf and Carelton philosophers welcome a prominent philosopher to share and discuss significant works in progress. The first retreats were held in Fred’s cabin on Otter Tail Lake in northern Minnesota.

Though the venue has changed since then, the department has continued this tradition with his support ever since, and it remains a vibrant part of our intellectual life.

In the fall of 2025, the Philosophy Department faculty held their 44th annual retreat in Stillwater, Minnesota in collaboration with the Carleton Philosophy Department. This year’s guest retreat leader was Kyla Ebels-Duggan of Northwestern University who workshopped a manuscript on the thought of Iris Murdoch.

Retreat Leader Kyla Ebels-Duggan

Kyla Ebels-Duggan is the Director of the Brady Scholars Program and a senior fellow at the Center for Ethics and Education. She is also a fellow at the Kaplan Institute for the Humanities and a Newbigin Fellow. In the past, she has held fellowships at the Princeton University Center for Human Values and CEPPA at the University of St. Andrews.

Ebels-Duggan works on contemporary issues in moral and political philosophy and on the history of these fields. She has published work on public reason, the various philosophies of Kant, education, relationships, and love. Ebels-Duggan has two book manuscripts underway, the first concerned with how to understand the reasons for valuing people and things. The second is on Iris Murdoch’s ethical theory.Here are a few options for concluding the blog post:

This annual gathering remains a highlight of the academic year, strengthening the intellectual ties between the St. Olaf and Carleton Philosophy Departments and enriching our community’s philosophical life.