Ethics Talk: Philosophy, Flourishing and The Good Life

Note: This show is simulcast on an old fashioned radio station - for the best listening experience - go to: http://www.wmhw.org/modernrock/home.html (or click on the link for Modern Rock under our "links" section to the right) We begin this semester's Modern Rock 91.5 show with a show on the art of partying. We are all familiar with the term "binge drinking" but is there a happy medium between a quiet evening and a Dionysian keg party? If so, what would it look like? On this show, we'd like to discuss whether a "virtuous party" is possible, and how college students might achieve it. Please join us if you have some thoughts on the matter, or even if you'd like to discuss your brew of choice!

At a time in which Lady Gaga is seen as an agent who awakens the "True Self" of her fans, we go back in time to 1841, when Ralph Waldo Emerson penned "Imitation is Suicide" and "Trust Thyself," and "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself" in his essay "Self-Reliance". In this week's episode, we will make an attempt to discuss Emerson's important essay and, in the spirit of Emerson, will leave it to the listener to decide whether Emerson or Lady Gaga better delivers the message that the true human being is a non-comformist.

In this show, we continue discussing Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1837 essay "The American Scholar." Last week, members of Ethics Talk decided to all read "The American Scholar" and we began to discuss the lessons we learned from "The American Scholar". One hour was not long enough, so we continue the discussion today. Although this show is a continuation of last week's show, it will be "self-sustaining" and comprehensible on its own.

Ralph Waldo Emerson's: The American Scholar In 1837, Ralph Waldo Emerson gave a famous lecture entitled "The American Scholar". In the essay, Emerson notes (among many other things) that there is "creative reading" as well as "creative reading". To that end, the members of Ethics Talk decided to all read "The American Scholar" - an essay which no one of us has yet read. Nor are any of us "experts" on Emerson. We think, though, that Emerson may approve of our effort to come together and discuss the ideas within the essay. So, in this show, we discuss what lessons we learned from "The American Scholar" not just for "Americans" but for all human beings yearning for the True, the Good and The Beautiful.

Philosophers have a developed a number of arguments which pertain not only to the existence of God, but also to the question of whether, even if God's existence cannot be proven with logical methods, we should believe in God nonetheless. In this show, we will not only explore the so called 'analytical approach' to the existence of God, but will also discuss a number of pragmatic and psychological considerations in believing that there is a 'higher power'.

Can every citizen of a free society community have access to health care, education, or capital for investment? How much can truth and knowledge offer to political theory? Can certain positive freedoms be considered inalienable human rights? On tonight’s show we discuss the alternative views on the duties of the government and how these alternatives are rooted in different views of human nature and the needs and wants of human beings. Founded in the idea that truth is a rare ideal outside of mathematics, this conversation is meant to explore some idealizations people might share or disagree about. Let us know your thoughts tonight on Ethics Talk.

In this show, we discuss the connection between human nature and the "political ecosystem" in which a human being finds itself. Views of human nature have political consequences. In addition to exploring the political consequences of some rival theories of human nature, we will also explore the question of whether the political system in the United States rests on an adequate view of human nature.

In this show, we discuss the postmodern critique of the enlightenment and western reason. Postmoderns eschew notions like 'absolute truth' and certainty. We discuss the merits of the postmodern position.

Thinking about going to law school and taking the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)? Wondering when, what, and how hard to study? In this show, some of the Ethics Talk hosts discuss the LSAT and our recent experiences preparing and taking it. More so than usual, we'd love for our listeners to call in and have their questions fielded for this week's episode.

Join us for a conversation with Krystal Penrose, who is a 2010/2011 "Are You Credit Wise" intern and a student at Central Michigan University. With the support of national student leaders, MasterCard Worldwide developed "Are You Credit Wise?" (AYCW), a campus-based, peer-to-peer education program that provides money management information to college students. There are 10 AYCW interns throughout the country who are trained to lead campus-wide education campaigns focused on the fundamentals of good credit habits. Join us for a conversation with a student expert who will provide us information on the alarming financial status of college students, the recently enacted "Card Act", and why it is important for young people to be "Credit Wise".

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Nolan Kaiser, an expert on political philosophy and constitutional jurisprudence who taught at Central Michigan University for over 40 years. Dr. Kaiser lost his sight and left hand in a tragic accident when he was 14 years old, but was nevertheless able to obtain a doctorate in philosophy and become an important figure in protecting the rights of the disabled. In this show, we discuss the United States' Constitutional Democracy and its relationship to the middle class. The show will provide the listener with a brief overview of the history of our constitutional democracy, including important judicial and legislative acts aimed at the promotion of individual autonomy. Dr. Kaiser will argue that the health of the middle class is evidence that our constitutional democracy is working. And given that the middle class continues to suffer, Dr. Kaiser will argue that the values that allowed this country to flourish are no longer respected.

This week's episode is a special episode of Ethics Talk. The Center for Professional and Personal Ethics at Central Michigan University was a participating organization in Story Corps' 'National Day of Listening'. As such, Hope May, Director of the Center interviewed 5 important individuals within her community about defining moments in their lives. Among the interviewed are Dr. Nolan Kaiser, who lost his sight and his left hand at age 14 whilst replicating one of Thomas Edison's experiments. Nevertheless, Nolan earned a doctorate in philosophy and taught at CMU for over 40 years. Nolan explains how losing his accident actually helped him to see more clearly. Next, Deanna Heath, a remarkable woman who was formidable in raising the funds for Mt. Pleasant's Woodland Hospice, where she served for its Director for several years. Despite her success in this role, she left to return to earn Masters in Social Work. In the interview, she explains why. After Deanna, we hear from Bruce Roscoe, who has served as the Dean of Students of CMU since 1997. In this interview, we learn that although there is a dark side to Bruce's work, it has given him both professional and personal insights. Sally Goodrow's interview follows Bruce. Sally's husband, John, was rector at St. John's Episcopal parish, whose mission included helping those in the community. Sally discusses the unexpected death of her husband in 1987 and how she decided to preserve his legacy by forming the "Goodrow Fund" which continues to provide critical services to the community. Finally, Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, subject of the academy award nominated film 'The Insider', discusses how the lessons learned in childhood played a role in his decision to tackle the tobacco industry, and his commitment to education.

Join us for a conversation with Andree Sosler, Executive Director The Darfur Stoves Project. As we have discussed on previous shows, the situation in Darfur is a genocide happening "on our watch". The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrants for top ranking Sudanese officials, but millions of Darfur is continue to be affected and displaced. The two million displaced Darfuris currently living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps receive food aid and cooking oil from a variety of humanitarian aid organizations. However, they are still responsible for gathering firewood as fuel for cooking. Due to the aridity of the land and the size of the camps, wood is scarce and growing scarcer. With deforestation, women and young girls must walk further and further from the relative safety of the camps in search of wood. Today, Darfuri women must walk up to seven hours, three to five times per week, just to find a single tree. These searches are the main reason why Darfuri women and girls leave the relative safety of the camps for the open countryside, where they are vulnerable to violent attacks and sexual assault. The mission of the Darfur Stoves Project is to improve the safety and wellbeing of internally displaced persons in Darfur by providing fuel-efficient cookstoves. The Berkeley-Darfur Stove reduces the quantity of firewood women need to cook for their families by at least 50 percent. This allows Darfuri women to dramatically reduce the amount of time spent outside the camps collecting firewood. Join us for a conversation with the Executive Director of the Darfur Stoves Project, Andree Sosler, as she discusses he recent 3 week visit to Darfur, as well as the impact that her organization is having is mitigating the atrocities caused by the Darfur tragedy.

Philosopher Cass Sunstein describes a "norm entrepreneur" as an individual who recognizes that the commitment to existing norms is a fragile thing. Further, norm entrepreneurs harness this fragility to move society to express a different set of norms. Mohandas Ghandi, for example, was a norm entrepreneur, a change agent. In ths show, we are joined by special guests and norm entrepreneurs: Director Pamela Yates, Producer, Paco de Onis, and social media guru, Alejandro de Onis, all of Skylight Pictures. Collectively, these three talented individuals are spearheading a formidable movement to raise awareness about human rights abuses and International Justice. Their latest film, "The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court," tells the incredible story of how the international community came to together to form the first "Court of Humanity". International Justice Central (ijcentral.org), an outgrowth of Skylight Pictures, harnesses the power of social media to build a community that supports the Rule of Law. Join us as we discuss how the lives of Pam, Paco and Alejandro led them to use their creativity and innovation to raise consciousness about International Justice and Human Rights.

Lauren Henke, movement coordinator of Invisible Children joins us for a special episode of Ethics Talk. Invisible Children is a movement that uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore Northern Uganda to peace and prosperity. In this show, Lauren will tell us about the latest developments regarding the powerfully inspiring actions of Invisible Children.