Author: Tom Shipka
Tom Shipka is a professor of philosophy and chair emeritus of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. This essay is adapted from a commentary first aired on Youngstown, Ohio’s public-radio station, WYSU-FM.
Are You a Critical Thinker? A Test
Thinking is like playing tennis, driving a car, giving a talk, dieting, or speaking a foreign language. It can be done well or badly. In the jargon of modern education, good thinkers are called critical thinkers. Critical thinkers have a mix of attitudes, skills, and habits that set them apart from sloppy thinkers. Are you …
Unbelief and the Vote
A pressing issue for many people in the United States today is whether Americans will vote for a Caucasian woman or an African-Ameri-can man for president. The answer is “Yes.” Ninety percent of adult Ameri cans say that, in principle, they are willing to vote for such candidates. When it comes to another category—unbelievers—the results are …