The Precariousness of Societies without Moralizing Gods
The answer to whether complex civilizations or moralizing gods came first has significant ramifications for how we address social ills today.
Philo·sophies
Wanderlust is a Vice, Not A Virtue
Critiques of wanderlust by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Stoics have far-reaching consequences for our ability to lead meaningful lives.
On Educating
‘Schools of Character’ Demonstrate a Path to Education Reform
In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, a grieving parent becomes an education reformer, champions “Schools of Character.”
Death is for the Living
Funerals Are Vital Spaces for Emotional Learning
We dishonor a person's memory and do ourselves a disservice when we don't also acknowledge the dead person’s flaws, faults, or missteps—in other words, embrace their whole humanity. Whether we want it or not, funerals are spaces for emotional learning, not just grieving or reinforcing cultural norms.
Peter Pan, Existentialist Fairy Tale?
For all its silliness and sentimentality, Peter Pan serves as a precautionary tale for those who fear the responsibilities of living, and the uncertainties of dying.
Why Losing a Dog Can Be Harder Than Losing a Loved One
The dog is the only animal that has evolved specifically to be our companion—and has a unique ability to meet our needs.