Ethical theories give us principles of good and bad and right and wrong, but they also depend upon assumptions from metaphysics, epistemology, and human nature. Stephen Hicks here introduces six primary questions in ethics. This is from Part 5 of his Philosophy of Education course. Clips 1-3: Previous: [Part 4: Human Nature]: Sex education? Next: […]
Six questions in ethics Read More »
Stephen Hicks here discusses how different theories of human nature lead to radically different views on sex education. This is from Part 4 of Professor Hicks’s Philosophy of Education course. Clips 1-3: Previous: Cognition: theory and/or practice. Next: [Part 5: Ethics] Six questions in ethics Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the
Stephen Hicks here contrasts Semmelweis and Abraham as cognitive and moral role models. This is from Part 3 of Professor Hicks’s Philosophy of Education course. 1 clip: Previous: Kierkegaard’s lesson: Abraham as a model of faith. Next: [Part 4: Human Nature] Five issues in human nature. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to
Choose your hero–Semmelweis or Abraham? Read More »
Not a perfect analogy, but a disturbing anecdote and an intriguing comparison: “Some of the savage nations in North America tie four boards round the heads of their children, and thus squeeze them, while the bones are tender and gristly, into a form that is almost perfectly square. Europeans are astonished at the absurd barbarity
Adam Smith on slaves to fashion Read More »
In the light of Asch’s conformity experiments and Milgram’s obedience experiments, Stephen Hicks discusses their implications for educating students to think for themselves. This is from Part 3 of Professor Hicks’s Philosophy of Education course. 1 clip: Previous: Milgram’s obedience experiments. Next: The value of reason. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to
Two more virtues: independence and courage Read More »
From Part 2 of Professor Hicks’s Philosophy of Education course. Here he presents one of the classic arguments against the existence of God and the consequent counter arguments over its strength. Clips 1-7: Previous: The argument from design. Next: Metaphysics and method. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
The argument from evil Read More »
David Hume is the most influential dead philosopher, according to a recent vote by contemporary philosophers. William Kline of the University of Illinois, Springfield, is an expert on Hume, and he gave a talk recently at Rockford College on Hume’s ethical theory. Here is my follow-up interview with him: Dr. Kline also spoke at Rockford
William Kline on David Hume’s ethics Read More »
At the APEE conference next month in Las Vegas, I will be presenting “The Evolution of the Mixed Economy – A Schematic Approach.” My talk integrates themes from several major thinkers from whom I have learned a great deal: Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, James Buchanan, and Gordon Tullock.
APEE talk on the mixed economy Read More »