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.”
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.
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.
Philosopher Randall Curren considers why sustainability matters
In his new book Living Well Now and in the Future: Why Sustainability Matters Curren argues that the core of sustainability is the “long-term preservation of opportunities to live well.”
New faculty books examine sustainability, time, and more
Each academic year, Rochester faculty members publish books that advance scholarship and investigate questions of broad interest. New Reads offers a selection of some of their most recent work.