Reflections on the wisdom of Jane Addams
Helping our neighbours is always a matter of justice and, as Jesus reminds us, our neighbours are not necessarily those we'd expect.
Political philosophers rarely assert the value of this right - the right to be different.
Life is freedom and freedom is diversity and the refusal to submit to the order defined by the powerful.
We always have a choice - although sometimes the price is everything.
An aphorism
Robert Nozick's reputation as a Right-wing thinker disguises some very interesting observations on the importance of a diversity of values.
The reality of citizenship as a moral ideal may be visible anywhere; but ultimately citizenship demands political, public, recognition.
Reflections on Dante's vision of equality
Much of the harm, crime and injustice we face has been driven important political decisions. But we must be careful not to forget our capacity for freedom and revolution,
Meeting basic need is important, but it is essential to also respect our innate dignity and integrity.
Independence is a confused goal. We need other people and we need to be free to express ourselves in cooperative action with others.
Some institutions nurture us in our freedom; others kill our capacity for freedom and replace it with death-like certainty.
Dante put Pride at the foot of Mount Purgatory for a good reason; pride is almost impossible to defeat and the root of all evil.
More planning always seems like a good idea, but unless you are really in control planning can easily become corrupted.
Justice should include liberty. Our right to live a life that makes sense and is rooted in our own desires, gifts and capacities requires the exercise of personal freedom. The state cannot live our life for us.
It is not God, love, personhood or the soul that are imaginary. These are the real things.
A Christmas poem by Michael Leunig - with thanks to John O'Brien for sharing
Love comes in many forms, but the story of Peter reminds us that God will accept even our weakest love.
How can we bring about positive social change when the forces ranged against us seem so strong?
Austerity is a lie. Not the cuts - they are real enough - but they idea that any of this is about tightening our belts or managing within newly straightened citicumstances - that's a lie.
One of the most disappointing features of the period of severe cuts and non-reforms of the welfare state since 2010 has been how many in the public and voluntary sector have been complicit in allowing these harms to be…
Christian love is absurd - far too demanding - and that's why we need it.
Whatever the absence of God means it certainly allows for a certain kind of being which his presence would end