In a world that often feels polarized, the ability to slow down, listen carefully, and examine reasons is essential for working through conflicts constructively. Philosophy, with its emphasis on analytical thinking and dialogue, offers valuable tools for addressing disagreement at every level—from everyday interpersonal conflicts to larger forms of social division.

Collin Rice, a philosopher of science at Colorado State University and this year’s Montfort Professor, applies these skills to one of today’s most pressing challenges: public distrust of science and science policy. Rice argues that constructive conversation is frequently derailed by an overemphasis on final conclusions instead of the reasoning behind them. Scientific debates, he explains, are rarely settled by data alone. Researchers must make choices about which questions to pursue, what methods to use, and how their findings should shape public decisions. Philosophical perspectives can help scientists and policy makers identify the implicit empirical, social, and ethical values that influence those choices. When these values are made explicit and discussed openly, trust is more likely to be strengthened than undermined.

In his teaching, interdisciplinary collaborations, and travel with students to Washington, D.C., Rice acts as a bridge between scientists, policy makers, and the public. In this conversation, he explains why effective science communication requires more than facts—it requires the philosophical skills that make meaningful, respectful dialogue possible.