Don’t get me wrong–I am humbled that you are reading our work here at Current. I would be even more humbled if you became a patron. But the title of this post plays off of David Brooks’s recent piece at...
humility
“Cultural humility” vs “liberal humility” in the classroom
Baylor University political scientist Elizabeth Corey explains the difference between these two views of education in an excellent piece at National Affairs. I definitely find myself in the “liberal humility” camp (or at least I aspire to such an approach),...
Thinking historically about Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech
A lot of conservatives liked Trump’s speech on Friday night. I am told that The Wall Street Journal gave it a positive review. I commented on the speech here, but I thought I would say a few more things about Trump’s...
Trump Does Not Have the Character to Lead the Country Through a Pandemic
Leadership during a pandemic requires character. It requires honesty and humility. A president should speak the truth to the American people, regardless of how it will affect him politically. A president must rid himself of his narcissism, swallow his pride,...
What White Evangelicals Can Learn About Politics From the Civil Rights Movement
In June 2017, I spent ten days with my family and several colleagues from Messiah College traveling through the American South on a civil rights movement bus tour. Our trip took us to some of the most important sites...
Cornel West and Robert George at Liberty University
I spent a little time last night watching Cornel West and Robert George at Liberty University. I have learned a lot from both of these men and I love watching them talk with one another. This conversation is no different. ...
Spirituality for Broken Public Discourse
In the spirit of my recent post “Rules of Engagement,” I want to call your attention to Nicholas Denysenko‘s piece on spirituality and public discourse in the recent issue of The Cresset. I read it last night and found it useful...
David Brooks: “A Complete National Disgrace”
There is little I disagree with in David Brooks’s analysis of Kavanaugh hearings. Here is a taste: These hearings were also a devastating blow to intellectual humility. At the heart of this case is a mystery: What happened at that party...
Witnessing and Winning
Check out Ruth Braunstein‘s piece at The Immanent Frame: “Good troublemakers.” It is an interesting piece on humility and the “prophetic voice.” She writes: American history has been punctuated by the actions of modern prophets who have called society to account...
My Boston Trinity Academy Chapel Talk on Rural America
Get the context here. I gave this short chapel talk to the faculty and students of Boston Trinity Academy on January 16, 2018–JF I am so pleased to be back at Boston Trinity Academy. (BTA) I continue to reflect fondly...
Postdoctoral Fellow in “Humility & Conviction in Public Life” at UCONN Humanities Institute
First, let me say how impressed I am that the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute is devoting itself to these kinds of questions. Bravo! Second, I hope you might consider applying. I am told by the powers-that-be at UCONN...
Comey Channels Reinhold Niebuhr
We have done some posts this year on the James Comey-Reinhold Niebuhr connection. You can read them here and here and here. I have followed Comey on Twitter @projectexile7, but his tweets are protected and he hasn’t accepted my follow...
I Could Be Wrong
Over at the Inside Higher Ed blog “Confessions of a Community College Dean,” Matt Reed writes about the relationship between leadership and intellectual humility. It’s a nice reflection on an important virtue: In a sense, intellectual humility strikes me as...
#Whystudyhistory Invades the World of Marketing
Do you want to be an effective marketing analyst? Then study history. If you are a longtime reader of The Way of Improvement Leads Home you know about Cali Pitchel. She has written a lot for the blog and has...
Have You Listened to the Latest Episode of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast?
Public historian Chris Graham has. He has a nice review and analysis at his blog Whig Hill. His post is entitled “Humility and Acts of Understanding.” Here is a taste: John Fea has a podcast and it is good. I’ve...
Barack Obama’s Amazing Prayer Breakfast Speech
At the risk of once again getting in trouble for my commentary on what Barack Obama said at a National Prayer Breakfast, let me say a few things about what Barack Obama said about religion and violence at last week’s...
Google is Looking for Potential Employees Who Demonstrate “Intellectual Humility”
This a very interesting post on why Google does not often hire college graduates from the so-called “top schools.” Here is a taste:Google looks for the ability to step back and embrace other people’s ideas when they’re better. “It’s ‘intellectual humility.’ Without humility,...
Sam Wineburg on Historical Thinking
I always need to remind myself of this quote by Wineburg. I have it on my office door. For the narcissist sees the world–both the past and the present–in his own image. Mature historical understanding teaches us to do the...
David Brooks at Messiah College–October 3
He will be here on Thursday, October 3. Here is the press release: David Brooks “The Importance of Humility and Civil Discourse in American Life” Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 – 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall All tickets are $25. To purchase, please contact the...
David Brooks’s Course on “Humility”
Yes, you read that correctly. David Brooks, The New York Times columnist, is teaching a course on the subject of “humility” at Yale University. He is aware that there might be some snickers: But yes, he knows how it sounds....