Intellectual Virtues and Perseverance

“When looking at the most successful people and organizations, we often imagine geniuses with a smooth journey straight to the promised land. But when you really examine nearly every success story, they are filled with crushing defeats, near-death experiences, and countless setbacks.” – Josh Linkner If there’s one message that I’ve seen popping up in… Continue reading Intellectual Virtues and Perseverance

Review: Susan Sontag On Photography

Why On Photography Matters  is one of the most quoted academic works on the subject of photograph, and generally comes up any time you’re having a serious discussion about photography. I recently read it while developing an aesthetics class that is going to focus on questions about what art and beauty are. Photography is one of the… Continue reading Review: Susan Sontag On Photography

What is Beauty? Plato, Beauty, and Knowledge

Plato’s theory of knowledge – his epistemology – can best be understood through thinking about beauty. We are born with all knowledge, he says, but when our soul became trapped in our body at birth, we forgot this knowledge. Learning, then, is similar to remembering. And here on earth, beauty is the easiest way for… Continue reading What is Beauty? Plato, Beauty, and Knowledge

How My Grandfather Sees the World

Pirsig's photo during his "Zen" Trip

  For a long time, I didn’t fully understand my grandfather, and was even a little bit uncomfortable around him. I remember having lots of fun with him when I was young, but once I hit my later teenage years, I suddenly felt like there was some unspoken expectation that I was supposed to learn… Continue reading How My Grandfather Sees the World