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The logic of iambic half-lines

Ethics and Morality
If Socrates Were Only on Twitter...

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 31, 2018

Prominent writers have been arguing that the way people use twitter (to mock and critique) is somehow wrong. Virtue ethics would have us think otherwise.

Prominent writers have been arguing that the way people use twitter (to mock and critique) is somehow wrong. Virtue ethics would have us think otherwise.

Ethics and Morality
Jordan Peterson: Unstoic about Women

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on June 18, 2018

To insist that there is a crisis among men today and that the solution is that women have more "courageous faith" in men is a full reversal of the Stoic notion of ethics.

To insist that there is a crisis among men today and that the solution is that women have more "courageous faith" in men is a full reversal of the Stoic notion of ethics.

Ethics and Morality
Jordan Peterson: Anti-Stoic

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on May 19, 2018

Peterson borrows some Stoic bromides, but as he abandons the idea that humans can be happy, he seems to abandon traditional ethics, as well.

Peterson borrows some Stoic bromides, but as he abandons the idea that humans can be happy, he seems to abandon traditional ethics, as well.

Empathy
More Empathy for the Privileged?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on February 6, 2018

Can we solve the problem of racism by "showing up" and "doing the work?" The limits of Brené Brown's approach to racism.

Can we solve the problem of racism by "showing up" and "doing the work?" The limits of Brené Brown's approach to racism.

Adolescence
Aristotle and the Teenager Who Started a Wildfire

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on September 12, 2017

A 15-year-old threw a firecracker tha started a major forest fire in Oregon. The public wants him held responsible. Does it matter whether he intended to cause so much harm or not?

A 15-year-old threw a firecracker tha started a major forest fire in Oregon. The public wants him held responsible. Does it matter whether he intended to cause so much harm or not?

President Donald Trump
Frederick Douglass on the 4th of July

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 4, 2017

The hope virtue ethicists have is the hope Douglass had: people can morally improve if they are "signaling" some of the right things in the first place.

The hope virtue ethicists have is the hope Douglass had: people can morally improve if they are "signaling" some of the right things in the first place.

Environment
Why Are Toddlers So Stubborn and Teens So Aloof?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on June 21, 2017

You can spend a lot of time, nearly all of your time, raising children and still not be given the opportunity to reflect on how odd some of the stages are.

You can spend a lot of time, nearly all of your time, raising children and still not be given the opportunity to reflect on how odd some of the stages are.

Friends
What is Friendship?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on March 8, 2017

Researchers tell us how important friendship is for our happiness and health. But what is friendship? Can the thought of Emerson highlight its complexities?

Researchers tell us how important friendship is for our happiness and health. But what is friendship? Can the thought of Emerson highlight its complexities?

Parental Alienation
Parental Alienation Syndrome: Calling Moms Nazis

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on August 10, 2016

Do Family Court Judges order children to spend time with high school graduates in hotel rooms, forced to watch Nazi videos, and then have their mothers called Nazis? Yes.

Do Family Court Judges order children to spend time with high school graduates in hotel rooms, forced to watch Nazi videos, and then have their mothers called Nazis? Yes.