Michael W. Austin's Blog, page 17
September 27, 2012
Theism, Naturalism, and Morality
Can philosophical naturalism give an adequate account of key features of reality, including consciousness, free will, rationality, morality, value, and a substantial human soul?
September 4, 2012
Cultivating Social Intelligence
Whatever our individual strengths and weaknesses regarding social intelligence, intentionally cultivating it will help our lives, and the lives of those around us, go better.
July 25, 2012
An Olympic Philosophy of Life
The Olympics may be the only sports movement that is explicitly guided by a philosophy of life, known as Olympism. This is due in part to the fact that both philosophy and the Olympics originated in ancient Greece, the stomping ground of Socrates and Plato. Here I briefly discuss some of the main elements of this philosophy of life.
July 17, 2012
Jesus and Ethics
Christians have often substituted a false norm for the story of Jesus by projecting their own values and biases onto it.
June 27, 2012
Humility
Given its appropriateness for us as limited and fallible human beings, and its value for both individual flourishing and social welfare, humility is a trait worth cultivating.
June 18, 2012
"Get a Car, You Loser!"
It doesn't bother me if someone drives an SUV to and from work. Why does it bother someone if I get to work and back on my bicycle?
June 12, 2012
Fathers Who Care
A father who is paternalistic in the best sense cares enough to help his children become the best they can be.
June 11, 2012
Standards of Critical Thinking
There are several standards of critical thinking that can be helpful in the pursuit of truth.
June 5, 2012
Achieving Happiness: Advice from Kierkegaard
Consider some thoughts from a 19th century Danish philosopher on the path to a fulfilling and integrated human life.
May 21, 2012
Just Garbage?
We must seek a solution to the problem of environmental racism. As things stand, poor minorities bear the environmental burdens of the consumption of the rich.
