Teaching national mythologies doesn’t help society address problems
In a RealClearEducation op-ed, Rochester philosopher Randall Curren and his coauthor argue there is “little merit in the notion that love of country is something that can be taught through celebratory history.”
Ethicists: COVID-19 pandemic a ‘wake-up call’
Philosophy faculty explore moral dilemmas presented by the crisis and how they intersect with larger structural questions.
Should we teach children patriotism in school?
In an interview with the Irish Times, University of Rochester philosopher Randall Curren discusses the role of “a proper, virtuous kind of patriotism.”
Where can philosophical thinking help? Everywhere.
Philosopher Zeynep Soysal, who joined Rochester’s faculty this year as an assistant professor of philosophy, works at the place where mathematics and linguistics converge.
‘Filtering the patterns that matter to us’
Epistemologist Jens Kipper has joined the University’s Department of Philosophy, bringing with him a focus on the nature of intelligence that spans the fields of philosophy, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
Australia asks how best to tell a story of national beginnings
What makes for a good celebration of national origins? Professor of philosophy Randall Current recently discussed the issue on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as the controversy over Australia Day grows.
Meet this year’s winners of the Goergen Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Hayley Clatterbuck, an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy; John Lambropoulos, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Michael Jarvis, an associate professor in the Department of History are being recognized for their distinctive teaching accomplishments.
Three University professors to receive Goergen Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Hayley Clatterbuck in the Department of Philosophy, John Lambropoulos in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Michael Jarvis in the Department of History will be honored at a ceremony on October 18.
Ultimate vacuum chamber creates nothing
The concept of nothingness is the subject of everything from children’s books to philosophical debate. In the universe, however, is nothing ever possible? How have scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians thought about the concept of nothing throughout history and up to the present?
Parsing the Pledge of Allegiance
In an excerpt from his new book, philosophy professor Randall Curren looks at the Pledge’s Rochester roots and traces its evolving use in public schools.