Michael W. Austin's Blog, page 16
December 20, 2012
My Top Books from 2012
Given my conviction that reading good books can contribute to one's happiness, I thought I'd write about a few good books I've read this past year.
December 17, 2012
Who Am I?
Our "strong evaluations", our beliefs about what has value, are crucial parts of our identity. Because of this, it is important that we know both what we believe about such things and why we believe what we do. It is also important that our lives reflect these convictions.
December 13, 2012
The Goodness of God, Human Freedom, and the Problem of Hell
A fairly common fundamentalist understanding of the nature of hell is perhaps theologically misguided.There are ways of understanding Christian teachings concerning hell that are perhaps consistent with the view that God is good and loving.
December 3, 2012
Keeping Sports in their Proper Place
We are passionate about sports. My fear is that as the days and weeks go by, and as this tragic murder-suicide in Kansas City fades from our collective memory, all the platitudes about keeping sports in proper perspective will fade as well.
November 12, 2012
Tolerance and the Search for Truth
Students believe that other students are more of a problem than professors with respect to tolerance of diverse intellectual views. Less than half of those surveyed said they believed other students were tolerant of the political views of all students.
November 5, 2012
10 Philosophical Quotes About Sport
Quotes from philosophers, coaches, and athletes about the nature and value of sport.
October 29, 2012
Knowing Your Parents
We should provide our children some access to our inner worlds, sharing our struggles and successes at work, talking about a difficult relationship with a friend, or opening up about some dream or long-term goal.
October 25, 2012
10 of My Favorite Philosophical Quotes
Some thoughts from philosophers, past and present, which may be true, and may not. But each is thought-provoking.
October 15, 2012
Malala and the Power of We
"I have the right of education," she said. "I have the right to play. I have the right to sing. I have the right to talk. I have the right to go to market. I have the right to speak up."
October 1, 2012
Moral Blind Spots
If we truly believe that all human beings have the right to life, then how is it that we can allow so many to die when preventing their suffering and death would cost so little?
