Feeding Mind, Pursuing Truth
Blog 3 Columns
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Nothing in Excess0
- September 4, 2015
Along with the phrase “Know thyself,” these words were carved into the columns of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, where the famous Oracle presided as a symbol of wisdom in ancient Greece. They represent a fitting description of the virtue of temperance (Greek = sophrosyne), which Aristotle defines in the Nicomachean Ethics as having appetites “for the right things, in the
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Nine Thoughts on the Problems of Printing Money1
- Economics
- September 4, 2015
For some, a small dose of mild inflation, say 2% annually, is necessary for economic growth. For others, the act of inflation inherently reduces purchasing power and alters investing, savings, and business development. Most, though, would agree on the dangers of a purposeful use of inflation to get out of economic profligacy. With all of
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Doing the Right Thing0
- September 4, 2015
Imagine a boy is taking a test and is tempted to cheat by looking at his notes. He evaluates the situation: his notes are on the floor, and he could easily look at them without being caught. Plus, if he aces the test, he will finish the semester with an “A” rather than a “B”
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Defining Social Justice0
- Uncategorized
- September 4, 2015
Social Justice — although this little phrase glibly slips off the tongue of many an individual, its ambiguity and explosive political nature can often cause profound confusion about the concept’s true meaning. Indeed, as one commentator put it, the concept of social justice “is allowed to float in the air as if everyone will recognize
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Courage, Bravery, Fortitude0
- September 4, 2015
“Fortitude” is a five-dollar word used to describe a virtue more simply known as “courage” or “bravery.” It is one of the four cardinal virtues along with prudence, justice, and temperance. In particular, fortitude along with temperance helps one to conquer the obstacles to doing the good with prudence and justice. According to Aristotle, one possesses the virtue
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The Tragedy of the Commons0
- September 3, 2015
In 1832, the British political economist William Forster Lloyd observed that cattle grazing on common land tended to be scrawnier than those raised in private enclosures. The “commons,” Lloyd realized, were threatened by people’s private interests and unwillingness to maintain the grass enclosure the way they would their private property. Using Lloyd’s concern about the “tragedy of
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One Cool Speech You Should Know0
- September 3, 2015
On June 4, 1940, the outlook was bleak for Great Britain in its battle against Nazi Germany. By then the Nazis had already subjugated or conquered Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and most of France. The British Expeditionary Force was forced to flee the continent at Dunkirk. America was not in the war.
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National Debt: We’re Probably Screwed0
- September 3, 2015
According to the United States Treasury, the total national debt is $18.2 trillion. The annual, average interest rate on the debt as of July of 2015 is 2.3%, down from 2.4% in July of 2014. Here’s why that’s a problem. Low interest rates mean low carrying costs for debt. If the interest rate is 10%,
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Is the Lack of Playtime Preventing Childhood Development?0
- September 3, 2015
Hey, did you hear about the preschool that has its students doing fractions by the time they enter kindergarten? If not, good, because it’s not true… at least, I hope not. To be honest, such a scenario doesn’t seem so far-fetched given our drive to plunge children into academics as soon as they can sit
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