SPOTLIGHT
Featured Author: Jared Marcel Pollen
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Santa Claus vs. Black Holes
Journey2Psychology, a project by: Dr. Michael Gordon
Mike Gordon is travelling across the world to converse with influential psychologists and discover the stories behind their work.
This journey will form the basis of a book from Political Animal Press
Follow Dr. Gordon’s travels in full at Journey2Psychology
There is a thought paradigm that I have often used to challenge students in their understanding of evidence, the world, and critical thinking. Consider the following: most people accept that there are black holes out there in the universe. As per the well-established theorizing, these black holes are stars that have collapsed into their own well of gravity and become tightly clustered masses. They may no longer project their light starbright, but the mass is huge and continues to draw any and all particulate matter in the vicinity into their gravitational embrace. While black holes and the science behind them is widely accepted, in stark contrast adults routinely deny the existence of Santa Claus. As we all know, Santa Claus is that popular legend that many parents relate to their children as part of the mythology of Christmas. This elfin figure will, among other behaviors, tally the good and bad behaviors of those under his watchful eye, and, if appropriate, bestow upon them gifts.
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THEORY
Santa Claus vs. Black Holes
Journey2Psychology, a project by: Dr. Michael Gordon Mike Gordon is travelling across the world to converse with influential psychologists and
Are Humans “Natural” Idealists?
by Craig Collins Let me begin by saying that I will be using the words idealism and materialism in this
Euthanasia, or Mercy Killing
Nathan Nobis from 1000-Word Philosophy examines the arguments pertaining to the difficult issue of euthanasia. Sadly, there are people in
PRACTICE
Euthanasia, or Mercy Killing
Nathan Nobis from 1000-Word Philosophy examines the arguments pertaining to the difficult issue of euthanasia. Sadly, there are people in
Endangered Species Act: Noah’s Ark or Titanic?
The overriding weakness in the ESA is that no legal barrier can possibly halt the relentless juggernaut of economic growth at the heart of our extinction crisis.
Ecosocialism vs. the Green New Deal
One could ask, from the perspective of the left, does the Green New Deal go far enough? Does it address the fundamental assumptions of the US economy that led to climate catastrophe?
JUSTICE
Euthanasia, or Mercy Killing
Nathan Nobis from 1000-Word Philosophy examines the arguments pertaining to the difficult issue of euthanasia. Sadly, there are people in
Social Contract Theory
When you make an agreement of some significance (e.g., to rent an apartment, or join a gym, or divorce), you typically agree to certain terms: you sign a contract. This is for your benefit, and for the the other party’s benefit: everyone’s expectations are clear, as are the consequences of failing to meet those expectations.
Plato’s Crito: When should we break the law?
Plato’s Crito describes a conversation that takes place in 399 B.C.E. in an Athens prison, where Socrates awaits execution.Not long before, an assembly of more than 500 Athenian citizens convicted Socrates of corrupting the youth and impiety, essentially failing to respect the gods of the city.
ARTS & LETTERS
Featured Author: Jared Marcel Pollen
Jared Marcel Pollen is a novelist and essayist, whose writing on political subjects looks out upon the world from a space where one might have once found Orwell, Hitchens, or Arendt.
The Tradition in Traditional Masculinity
Pinker points to both the origin and function of a code of conduct that became the Western view of masculinity. ... the biological realities of the male species could be best and most productively served through the attainment and development of specific virtues.
Stoicism & the Destruction of Man
Recently, the American Psychological Association (APA) took aim at “traditional masculinity” by, amongst other things, criticizing “stoicism” as one of its problematic characteristics (APA Guidelines 11). But the essence of stoicism, and our understanding of it, stems from a philosophy that is meant to allow the individual to reach their full potential as a human.