On punishment and reform

In terms of culpability, we seem to assume any agent could have done otherwise. Without being able to do otherwise, we don't usually consider an agent culpable. That much we often assume. And, in this case the emphasis is on a hypothetical past action. In terms of correction, the emphasis is on punishment and the failure of adherence to a past possibility. But why think focusing on what could have been done is preferable as a corrective?

Lies and Behaviorism

Is behaviorism still a thing? Apparently, it is still making inroads, or ruts, in education (See here, here, and here). I guess some bad ideas have a slow, slow death. Well, let's remind ourselves why behaviorism is so, so wrong-headed. Let's do this by observing the all-too-common lie.

An Education In Virtue

"But I take it...what we have in mind is education from childhood in virtue, a training which produces a keen desire to become a perfect citizen..." from Plato's Laws I (643e)

A Phenomenological Approach To The Scriptures

The goal of this post is to present a (seminary) model, an environment that allows scripture to speak for itself.  In other words, one which would take a “phenomenological approach” to scripture.

Atheism: Worldview or Objective Point of View

Is atheism a worldview or an objective point of view?  I ask this question in response to two blog posts found in The Washington Post section On Faith.  Both posts are written by prominent atheists and both posts are addressing secular studies as found in universities. However, the authors of the posts seem to disagree as to the status of secular approaches to education.