Blog 3 Columns

How Schopenhauer Can Help You Understand (and Overcome) Your Midlife Crisis 0
- Culture
- January 30, 2018
Despite reflecting on the good life for more than 2,500 years, philosophers have not had much to say about middle age. For me, approaching 40 was a time of stereotypical crisis. Having jumped the hurdles of the academic career track, I knew I was lucky to be a tenured professor of philosophy. Yet stepping back
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8 Characteristics of a Rational Soul 0
- Education
- January 30, 2018
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.), the last of Rome’s Five Great Emperors, was in many ways the paradigm of Plato’s philosopher king. His Meditations (essentially a diary written for himself) reveal a man striving for peace through wisdom, self-control, and stoical acceptance. One theme that runs through Meditations is the power of human reason and its ability to harness
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Why Saying ‘Let Me Know if There’s Anything I Can Do to Help’ is Not Actually Helpful 219
- Culture
- January 29, 2018
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.” In our society, it’s practically required to say this when a fellow human being tells you they’re going through a hard time. I’ve said it. You’ve probably said it. And what did it achieve? Not a whole lot, I’m guessing. I would know.
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Why It’s Best to Focus on Fixing Yourself 0
- Culture
- January 29, 2018
“Acquire a peaceful spirit, and then thousands of others around you will be saved.” This statement was made by St. Seraphim of Sarov, a Russian Orthodox monk who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. And though it was addressed to a Christian audience, I think the concept behind it is very relevant to everyone
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The Atlantic: A Crisis of Truth is Upon Us (Apart From Trump)0
- Culture
- January 29, 2018
A mere one-third of Americans trust their government to “do what is right,” according to a new report by the communication firm Edelman. Trust in the media is not much higher (42%), and while trust in business and non-governmental organizations appear stronger, both are down considerably (10 and nine points, respectively). What’s strange is there is
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So You’re Too Ethical to Eat Meat; But Should Cows Go Extinct?0
- Philosophy
- January 29, 2018
Vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular. Alternative sources of protein, including lab-grown meat, are becoming available. This trend away from farmed meat-eating looks set to continue. From an environmental perspective and a welfare perspective, that’s a good thing. But how far should we go? Would it be good if the last cow died? Many
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Red Robin is Cutting 570 Jobs. Can You Guess Why?0
- Economics
- January 29, 2018
Red Robin, a popular burger chain, will cut jobs at all 570 of its locations because, chief financial officer Guy Constant said, “We need … to address the labor [cost] increases we’ve seen.” To put it differently, Red Robin is cutting these jobs because of bad government policy: namely, hikes in the minimum wage. On
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PBA Cards: When Corruption Is a Job Perk 0
- Culture
- January 26, 2018
I recall quite vividly the day I first witnessed the potency of the “get out of jail free” cards issued by Police Benevolent Associations. I was a teenager in the New Jersey suburbs headed to a concert with a car full of friends, and our driver was so caught up in conversation about what a
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How a Woman Can Know if a Man Truly Loves Her 0
- Culture
- January 26, 2018
If asked to name one of the world’s most foremost novels on relationships between men and women, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice would undoubtedly be in the running. Indeed, Mr. Darcy has somehow become synonymous with the idea of a perfect gentleman. But while Austen-mania grips modern culture, its decorum does not. Modern day Lizzys
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How Schopenhauer Can Help You Understand (and Overcome) Your Midlife Crisis 0