Leadership, Climate Change & Philosophy of Sport

The Olympics are about a lot of things. For this athlete, they are about trying to bring awareness and a sense of urgency to the threat & impact of climate change. Despite the fact that David Katoatau did not win a medal…he brings new meaning to the words “inspiration”, “champion”, …

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The Philosophical Knight – Søren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is oft regarded as a satirical, romantic iconoclast. Unlike many philosophers of his era, his prose was lyrical and poetic and the use of pseudonyms, paradox and irony were among his trademarks. Kierkegaard’s works explored such things as personal identity, duty, freedom, objective & subjective truths,…

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A Healthy Side of Negative Emotions

Merlin | A Healthy Side of Negative Emotions | Photo Credit: dratata.com

There is no doubt that positive emotions are worth cultivating. But must we be upbeat all of the time? Is there a healthy side of negative emotions and some value in experiencing them? Many philosophers (Schopenhauer comes to mind here) argue that embracing the full range of our emotions (including…

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The Value of Studying Philosophy

In an older (but not outdated) article in the Atlantic,  Hope Reese interviews Rebecca Newberger Goldstein — philosopher and author of Plato at the Googleplex — who discusses the value of studying philosophy and why it is critical to our lives.  From helping us increase our humanity to becoming responsible…

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The Impact of Surveillance on Moral Growth

Does surveillance contribute or detract from our moral growth?  Alfred University Professor of Philosophy Emrys Westacott discusses the complicated relationship between surveillance and moral edification by exploring the following questions: What is the impact of ubiquitous surveillance on our moral character? How might the advent of a surveillance society affect…

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Eulogy Virtues: Cultivating an Inner Light

Merlin MCC | Cultivating an Inner Light

Living a virtuous life involves much more than what’s included on a resume.  It involves cultivation of a particular sort — a striving for and obtaining of what David Brooks — New York Times columnist and author — refers to as ‘eulogy virtues.’  In a heartfelt discussion about the sorts…

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The Benefits of Intergenerational Mingling

The benefits of intergenerational mixing are numerous. In yesteryear, it was quite common to see generations living together  (or near one another) & mingling on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, this has become more of an exception than a norm.  To combat this, some innovative exchange programs like the Humanitas program…

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Caregiving in the New Era

America is facing a new reality.  Americans are living longer than ever.  Soon, elders will outnumber the young.  What does this mean in terms of how we care for our loved ones (and ourselves)?  How we manage our finances & juggle work and personal obligations?  How we structure our healthcare,…

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