As an undergraduate, Jonathan studied a combined curriculum of biomedical engineering, politics, philosophy, and global studies at California Lutheran University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. After living in Arlington, Virginia and working on Science Progress for a while, he returned for global studies graduate work at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Email: [email protected]
by Jonathan Halvorson It’s a rusty but sturdy old truism to say that morality binds societies together. As shared outlooks for moral praise and blame dissolve, a society enjoys more the mixed blessings of contention from fragmented sub-groups with divergent political goals and manners of living. The “culture wars” in America and other nations provide…
by Jonathan Halvorson Most people regard health care reform in America as thoroughly bungled. The proverbial train left the station weak and wheezing, was pushed off the rails by hooligans and is about to crumple in an inglorious heap in the ditch. Only about 20% say the reform hits the sweet spot, with the rest…
by Jonathan Halvorson The tribes of businessmen and philosophers live, for the most part, in mutual incomprehension and hostility. It is the rare philosopher who understands–emotionally, not just intellectually–why I left the field for a career in business, and even worse, health insurance. Couldn’t I just have started working in porn instead, and saved more…
by Jonathan Halvorson There has been a minor resurgence of interest in whether the social sciences live up to their billing as sciences. Economics in particular is going through well-deserved scrutiny from its ongoing failures of prediction and its inability to build consensus. Not long after I argued on 3Quarks that the project, and the…
It’s been roughly 20 years since I’ve purchased a book with the intention of gaining insight into life lived wisely. Like nearly everyone else, nearly all of the time, I have read for other reasons: as an engaging diversion, to reinforce things I already believed, to further my knowledge relevant to my career, to get…
If you’ve paid attention to American politics over the last two years (real politics, not beauty contest gossip) it’s understandable if you’re sick of hearing about health care reform. It was a daily topic for nearly a year leading up to the historic legislation passed in March 2010, has not receded much since, and will…
The economy, political events and even the sun’s course have converged to make these bleak and darkening days for many of the world’s developed nations, and certainly for America. What we need is expert and effective guidance on the impact of policies and programs. What we get is a cacophony of conflicting, often incoherent, ill-informed…