Within an academic environment, a significant part of the study of ethics is to acquire appropriate theoretical tools and to learn a language and critical method for engaging in sophisticated discourse on the moral dimensions of human life as those are manifest in individual experience and within the broader culture. I believe strongly in the modern ideal of a liberal arts education, that is, the aim of producing citizens capable of engaging in the critical discourse that is constitutive of democratic self-government. Moreover, I believe that success in this endeavor requires the inculcation of critical thinking and communication skills informed by a holistic understanding of history, tradition, and contemporary life. As in any thoughtful exchange of ideas, the practice of democracy requires the ability to express ourselves clearly, to understand critically, and to contextualize appropriately. In my own teaching, I endeavor to promote competency within my discipline while contributing to the development of these more general social virtues.
Teaching is best when practiced boldly, with humility, and with conviction.
However, I also believe that essential virtues of successful teaching include good humor, the willingness to engage in intellectual play, the recognition that there is more to higher education than the classroom, and the awareness that control is often an illusion.