Neither Sweet Nor Fitting
Centuries ago the Roman poet Horace wrote a line that has been famous ever since: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori [...]
A Tale Of Two Students
Carson Huey graduated from high school with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and a 1770 Scholastic Aptitude Test score. [...]
What A Brilliant Idea!
Every once in a while we encounter an idea so brilliant that we are inclined to shout, as did the [...]
Have You Forgiven Yourself Lately?
I don’t know about you, but I’m uncomfortable with the modern perspective on forgiveness. Part of the problem is that [...]
The Demopublarian Philosophy
Demopublarianism is rooted in respect for, yet profound dissatisfaction with, the Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian parties. Each has merit but [...]
“Look! . . . Up There!”
Standing in a crowded street, a man points to the top of a building and shouts “Look,” the crowd obliges, [...]
Diagnosis: Omniscience Delusion
I have spent most of the last 50 years writing books that examine reflective, creative, and critical thinking and offer [...]
The Race Conversation
President Obama’s speech following the Zimmerman verdict has received considerable criticism. Many say he should have refrained from commenting on [...]
Lessons From The Zimmerman Case
It seems that everyone with a computer or a cell phone is weighing in on the George Zimmerman verdict. The [...]
Beware Of Positive Stereotypes Too
All stereotypes are based on the false notion that every member of a group necessarily shares the characteristics of all [...]
How Times Have Changed
A recently passed bill prohibits the distribution of pro-homosexuality information to minors. More specifically, it bans “the dissemination of information [...]
Our Current Plague Of Nuttiness
Every day’s news brings multiple illustrations of the plague of nuttiness that is afflicting America. A case in point is [...]
My Favorite Biblical Passage
To choose a favorite biblical passage is a difficult task, perhaps even a fool’s errand. A few dozen candidates spring [...]
A More Dangerous Corruption
“Corruption” is a popular word today, and it is usually used to denote dishonest behavior within an institution. The most [...]
In Defense Of Guilt And Shame
While reading last week’s church bulletin, I came across an announcement for a mini-retreat titled “Letting Go of Shame and [...]
Valuing Faith And Reason
In the late 18th century Thomas Paine argued in The Age of Reason that reason and revelation are in opposition and [...]
The Janitorial Conspiracy
While the national and international media have been mired in the minutiae of the Obama administration’s triple scandal, our crack [...]
More Language Peeves
It must have happened during one of those moments when I wasn’t looking, but there’s no question that it did [...]
Language Peeves
The TV news person was commenting about a story concerning the Boston Marathon bombing when she said, “The story just [...]
The War Against Sexist Language
Washington state governor Jay Inslee recently signed a bill that goes a long way toward ending biased language in state [...]
Let’s Stop Clinging To Nonsense
In April of 2013, Tulane professor and talk-show host Melissa Harris-Perry, made the following remark on camera: We have never invested [...]
Wages, Capitalism, And Morality: Part II
(Note: Part I documented that the minimum wage harms the very people it is designed to help and the popular alternative—letting capitalism [...]
Wages, Capitalism, And Morality: Part I
It is commonly believed that fairness demands a certain level of wage be guaranteed to all workers. That is the [...]
Holy Week And Man’s Search For Meaning
I am writing this essay at the beginning of Holy Week, a time that recalls the Last Supper, the agony [...]
American Catholics And Social Justice
“Social justice” is at the center of most political activism in contemporary America. It has provided arguments for the expansion [...]
Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
Since retiring from teaching, I have continued my work in promoting sound thinking in education and in the general culture. More specifically, I have kept refining my textbooks, four of which have been continuously in print for an average of 33 years. I have also continued to write books for the general public, the latest of which is Corrupted Culture: Rediscovering America’s Enduring Principles, Values, and Common Sense, and I write a weekly column for an online journal.