How do I know you, let me count the ways? On the first day of class, ice breakers are a way of breaking the tension and creating an atmosphere of familiarity and commonality.  One of the more used ice breakers would be an exercise like BINGO where everyone is in motion to have his or her card signed by finding someone whose favorite color is blue, or born in February, or likes country music.  At best, an ice breaker exercise is superficial and non-threatening, and does break the ice. Continue reading →

After my ethics classes are finished for the day,  I summarize what we have discussed and/or completed in class for the sake of review, continuity, and if a student was absent who could then review the content discussed in that class.  In addition to summarizing each class, I add quotations that reflect the diversity of various belief and philosophical systems which are fundamental to ethics to further enhance good choices and right behavior whether one believes in a higher power or not.  Continue reading →

As we are nearing the end of another semester, I asked my students to write a paragraph or two offering advice to future students who will be taking this ethics course; in turn, when I meet with a new batch of students, I will share with them the advice offered by former students — here is what one class had to offer: Continue reading →

“Here is calm so deep, grasses cease waving…wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our very being, making us glide and sing.” John Muir

Here is a sample of one student’s responses to the “Save the Planet” assignment for an Introduction to Ethics class – in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2018. Continue reading →

President Donald Trump is lashing out at Joe Biden on for wanting to “beat the hell out of him,” saying the former vice president “would go down fast and hard, crying all the way.”

Mr. Trump tweeted Thursday: “Crazy Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault. He doesn’t know me, but he would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Don’t threaten people Joe!”

cbs/ap    March 22, 2018 Continue reading →

   While the course I presently teach, Thinking Critically and Creatively, will no longer be offered as a general studies course after this semester, spring of 2018 – I do hope all courses will include the elements of critical thinking and creative thinking.  I have written essays on the importance of critical thinking as being fundamental to learning, understanding, and application of one’s knowledge base. It is equally important to become a creative thinker in order to develop a life philosophy that truly reflects who you are, a thinking framework that you can rely on to guide you through difficult and challenging problems.

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After the 39^th and final radiation treatment for prostate cancer on February 26th, I met with the oncologist, and he was very pleased with my progress thus far in having been compliant with the treatment demands, requests, and procedures.  I will meet with the oncologist in one month, and then to return every 3 months for a blood test and PSA results — hopefully, the number will be reduced to normal between 2 to 4 or even a 0.  He said it would take 3 to 6 months to obtain a true reading of the PSA results. I am very positive about the outcome. I have been very blessed with very few, if any side effects.   Continue reading →

It has been 4 weeks since the beginning of my ethics class.  Thus, I thought it would be appropriate to play “Pin the Tail” on the ethics donkey – that is to solicit feedback from the students about the course.  Rather than go blindfolded through the remainder of the 12 weeks, I asked the students to respond to three open ended questions:  1. Continue doing; 2. Consider adding; and 3. Consider changing and modifying.  Having collated their responses, I responded to them (my responses in bold print); and we will review their data and my responses as the first activity of the next class. Continue reading →

“When you drink from the spring, remember the source” – Confucius

What are the philosophical sources for the concept of choices which determine who and what I will become?  How often we forget as educators to consider the etymology of the word – thus we do an injustice to the scope of the learner’s knowledge, understanding, and application to life’s challenges and choices.  Continue reading →

   “Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what they ought to be.” William Hazlitt Continue reading →