Let your brain fly and think outside the box.

Many of the world’s most intractable problems stem from inflexible thinking and overly rigid generalizations.

Below are some ideas that defy traditional categories and deserve more attention and explicit discussion. We hope you will find them thought provoking and consider contacting us to share your views. As this website grows, we will add more ideas to this list and essays about these topics.

Issue: When developing a sense of right and wrong, should it matter whether a human behavior is “natural”?

⇒  If we assume that people are genetically predisposed to engage in certain behaviors, does that mean we should encourage those behaviors?

Does the answer depend upon the particular behavior or other characteristic of the person? For example, if humans are genetically predisposed to violence, does that mean we should encourage it? If men and women differ in this predisposition, should we try to even out such differences — encourage men to be less violent and women to be more violent?

⇒  Why it matters:  

Many political and social debates arise from conflicting and hidden assumptions about what is “natural” human behavior and whether we should try to reinforce natural tendencies or reshape them. Consider, for example, conflicting views on heterosexuality, greed, gender differences, and altruism. Does knowing whether there’s a predisposition to a particular human behavior suggest any consistent moral or political conclusion about what our culture should encourage?

Issue: Are families good or bad?

⇒  Do we have an asymmetrical view of the role of families?

If the family unit deserves the primary credit for developing caring, productive members of society, does it also deserve the blame for creating criminals and dysfunctional subcultures?

⇒  Why it matters:  

Do we tolerate too much irresponsible parenting? Even if irresponsible parents should not lose their parental rights, should the government, schools, communities, or charities be empowered to intervene more than they do now?

Issue: Can we more intentionally change our emotional responses by adopting new ideas?

⇒  Even though we are not entirely rational creatures, can we use reason to improve the way that emotions rule our lives?

Recent social science research has explored how our beliefs are often driven by emotions, not facts and reason. Sometimes we think we’re acting rationally but we’re not: we may subconsciously choose beliefs that support a preexisting emotion or prejudice, and then find facts that support those beliefs. But even in that situation, our emotional reactions spring from the ideas we’ve previously absorbed. Our capacity to have emotions is biological, but culture drives our particular emotional responses and changes them over time. Consider, for example, how our emotional reactions have changed over time to slavery, child labor, the right to free speech, gender roles, mental illness, and arranged marriages. And consider how individuals can become passionate about new subjects through education and other exposure to new ideas, and become more well-adjusted with the help of insights gained from psychotherapy.

⇒  Why it matters:  

Although the ideas we learned in our formative years become more resistant to change once we become adults, the emotional responses generated by our longstanding beliefs can change if those underlying beliefs themselves evolve. The more conscious we become of the ideas that drive our emotional responses, the more plasticity we can experience in changing our emotional reactions as we accept new ideas.

Issue: Why do we inconsistently admire excellence?

⇒  When does our reverence for success turn into scorn for elitism?

Elite athletes, architects, musicians, and businessmen are generally revered, but “elitism” is often a disparaging label. Is excellence something that we should all aspire to? We defer to those with expertise when we hire a mechanic or surgeon, but we are more reluctant to defer to experts in other fields, such economists and diplomats. Why? Can we honor extraordinary talent and achievement without believing that elite performers are more valuable human beings than the rest of us? What are some high achievers doing wrong that engenders resentment or distrust of their skills?

⇒  Why it matters:  

In our ever more complicated and hostile world, we need more expertise and more respect for exceptional thinking. Not only are facts under siege, but also the fundamental contributions of careful observation, nuanced decision-making, the scientific method, reason, and accumulated knowledge.

Issue: Is America exceptional, and if so, how is its exceptionalism defined?

⇒  Is there more than one flavor of American exceptionalism?

In recent decades, conservatives have more often touted America’s exceptionalism, but do liberals have a different, equally valid characterization of American exceptionalism? Can a person be deeply patriotic without believing in American exceptionalism?

⇒  Why it matters:  

Patriotism arises from many different hopes and beliefs, and patriotism can engender a wide range of behavior, from unquestioning devotion to one’s leaders to vocal opposition to government policy. Neither strict obedience nor continuous criticism of government action has a monopoly on patriotism; both can serve the country well at different times.

Issue: Would a perfect meritocracy be good or bad?

⇒  Americans tend to support meritocracy, but is it as simple as it sounds?

In a perfect meritocracy, every successful and unsuccessful person would deserve his or her place. How would that affect our notions of “class” and shared community?

⇒  Why it matters:  

Although a meritocracy may be the best available system for doling out rewards in a democracy, it is not without its flaws. In its purest form, those at the bottom would likely face even greater disgrace and feel greater resentment than they do today. And of course, the definition of “merit” begs numerous questions and deserves serious debate.

Issue: Is there anything wrong with a little responsible hedonism? 

⇒  Can we advocate for both high moral standards and more individually determined definitions of acceptable pleasure?

If consenting adults can occasionally indulge in mind-altering substances or various sensual pleasures without compromising their duties to family, community, and country, should they be left alone or complimented, rather than punished or shamed?

⇒  Why it matters:  

Altering one’s state of consciousness can be enlightening and fun. Many so-called “vices” are harmful only if carried to an extreme. Has our fear of the slippery slope led to absurd drug laws and a warped criminal justice system? Has our legitimate interest in preserving high moral standards turned us into hypocrites or unduly judgmental neighbors?

Can you add to this list? Can you write a short essay about any of these topics? Contact us to share your thoughts.