What is Moral Socialism?
Professor Lea Ypi reflects on the failures of state socialism and global capitalism in the twentieth century and suggests a new way forward.
Stevenson Trust, Social Sciences hub
Date: Monday 02 March 2026
Time: 18:00 - 19:30
Venue: Humanity Lecture Theatre
Category: Public lectures, Social events, Academic events, Student events, Alumni events
Speaker: Professor Lea Ypi
What is moral socialism? "If we seek an answer to the waverer who asks us whether he should be a socialist or not," wrote the Austro-Marxist Otto Bauer more than a century ago "we do need Kant’s ethics." In this lecture, Lea Ypi reflects on the failures of state socialism and global capitalism in the twentieth century and suggests a new way forward. Her account seeks to revive the Enlightenment critique of technocratic reason and is grounded on a universal conception of freedom as moral agency.
This event is taking place in the Humanities Lecture Theatre within the Gilbert Scott Building. It is also available to view online.