There are essentially four ways we come to know things: observation, reason, feeling, and authority. Observation is the source of most of our scientific knowledge. We, for example, observe that water boils at 212 degrees and freezes at 32 degrees. We can’t figure these things out using abstract reason; these are things we observe and …

Foundational Issues (4) – Ethical Epistemology: How do we know what is moral? Read More »

Every society, every organization, every nation, every family has rules governing human behavior and expectations on how people should act. We have grand rules that safeguard human life and dignity (e.g. do not murder) and mundane rules governing things like which hours you can make a right turn in certain intersections. There have been two …

Foundational Issues (3) – Ethics: Is There Such a Thing as Right and Wrong? Read More »

When we observe reality we seem to observe two things: mind and matter. Throughout history thinkers have referred to these things by different names. I am trying to avoid jargon and I like alliteration so I am going to stick with mind and matter. Matter is pretty easy to define: it is what we can …

Foundational Issues (2) – Metaphysics: What Exists? Read More »

If you are anything like me, I am sure you have found yourself frustrated by the level of public discourse. Too often so-called discourse devolves into shouting matches and name calling. Even when the discussion remains civil, it frequently feels like the interlocuters are missing the point and talking past one another. It is not …

Foundational Issues (1) – Introduction Read More »

Last week I wrote about the importance of habituating our children to diligence in little things in order to set them up to succeed in greater things. Today I am going to end my “Principles from Plutarch” series of messages by writing about seeing education as providing things more valuable than worldly success.  According to …

Principles from Plutarch (11) – Education and Worldly Success Read More »

In my last message I wrote about how instilling the right mindset in our children can help them to face hardship. In this message I am going to write about how instilling habits of faithfulness in our children will help them to grow in strength and maturity. In his “Life of Aemilius Paulus” Plutarch wrote, …

Principles from Plutarch (10) – Instilling Habits of Faithfulness in our Children Read More »

In my last message I wrote about how fear can derail our parenting. In this message I am going to write about how instilling the right mindset in our children will help them to face hardship. In the “Life of Otho” Plutarch wrote, “For though all persons are equally subject to the caprice of fortune, …

Principles from Plutarch (9) – Overcoming Misfortune Read More »

In my last message I wrote about how love is a stronger motivator than fear. In this message I am going to continue to explore how fear can negatively effect our parenting.  While discussing Artaxerxes Plutarch wrote, “Fear is the bloodiest passion in princes.” Fear provokes leaders to oppression, to actions they regret in times …

Principles from Plutarch (8) – How Fear Effects Parenting Read More »

In my last message I wrote about overcoming weakness of will. In this message I am going to write about how love, not fear, is the strongest and deepest motivator. “For fear and force, a great navy and standing army of ten thousand hired barbarians are not, as [Dion’s] father had said, the adamantine chains …

Principles from Plutarch (7) – Grounding Love in Truth Read More »

In my last message I wrote about how we should set our hearts upon and pursue eternal things. This week I am going to write about overcoming weakness of will. While discussing Marc Antony Plutarch wrote, “It is common enough for people, when they fall into great disasters, to discern what is right, and what …

Principles from Plutarch (6) – Overcoming Weakness of Will Read More »