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), […]
humility
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. […]
Oakes: “I try not to be overly committed to anything I’ve put in print.”
James Oakes, distinguished professor of history at CUNY-Graduate Center, wants us to know that sometimes historians change their minds. Here is a taste of his article in the current issue of Perspectives in History: In a seminar I took during […]