Feeding Mind, Pursuing Truth
Blog 3 Columns
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- Blog 3 Columns
How to Lose the War on Terror0
- Culture
- November 24, 2015
Terrorism’s goal is principally psychological. So, in the wake of events like those in Paris, a good starting point is to refuse to take the bait and become victims to fear. Such a mindset must break away from simplistic notions such as that another round of “tougher” laws will equate to greater security. The production
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7 Perceptive Social Critiques from… Dr. Seuss?0
- Culture
- November 24, 2015
1. Seuss’ classic polemic against a consumerism that is especially manifest during the holiday season: 2. Seuss’ simple riposte to the depersonalization rampant in the modern technological society: 3. Here Seuss speaks against the modern tendency to default to systemic solutions rather than personal effort: 4. Seuss’ affirmation that identity remains in spite
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Why Ancient Greece Also Had Hippies0
- November 23, 2015
It is often remarked that history repeats itself; that there is a cyclicality about human life. The movements and types we encounter today often had antecedents in previous ages. The past had its conservatives and liberals, its jocks and its hedonists. And apparently, it also had its hippies. A celebrated Time article in 1967
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Should Schools Place More Educational Value on P.E.?0
- Education
- November 23, 2015
In 110 A.D., the Greek philosopher Plutarch waxed eloquent on how to raise virtuous, well-mannered, and thoroughly educated children. But Plutarch’s educational regimen was not limited to books. In line with previous Greek educational philosophy, he also heartily advised parents and teachers to give children plenty of time for exercise: “In the next place, the
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Most Americans Say Children Today Need More Discipline0
- Culture
- November 23, 2015
The American Family Survey recently released a new report on American attitudes toward children, family, and marriage. When asked to name the biggest issue American families face, respondents did not pick economic related issues, such as a lack of jobs or high cost of living, nor did they pick cultural issues, such as the increase
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Mayflower Compact or Plymouth Combination?0
- History
- November 23, 2015
On the first day of our spring semester, at the little liberal arts college at which I teach, I have for the last fourteen years had the joy of watching forty freshmen respond to the complexities and depth of a seemingly simple document, that we call, the Mayflower Compact. It really should be rather straightforward:
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Learning in Spite of Disadvantage0
- Education
- November 23, 2015
Many governmental policies today are attempting to eliminate disadvantages between students in the education system. In particular, much attention has been focused on policies designed to eliminate the “achievement gap” between white and non-white students. But do minority students today also need to seek to overcome disadvantages through their own efforts? The life of Frederick
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Is the Invisible Life Worth Living?0
- Culture
- November 23, 2015
According to a well-known saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Today, the second clause may as well read “It’s who knows you.” We live in a culture that largely attaches meaning to visibility. The importance of the contemporary person is typically determined by digital footprint and esteem in
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Is ISIS an ‘existential threat’?0
- Culture
- November 23, 2015
What is the greatest existential threat to world security? The Islamic State? This month, yes. But back in July, the incoming chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff told a Congressional committee that it was Russia. “If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States,
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