How should we think about the ways religions fuel political conflicts? I propose a new view of religion and show both secularism and fundamentalism are flawed.

Brutal warfare and unrelenting strife can drive us to despair. Yet all of us are called to be peacemakers in a robust sense: called to be co-creators of shalom.

What sort of society fosters genuine friendships? Not digital capitalism: it sucks up personal identities and attachments, the very lifeblood of friendship.

Can companion animals like my dog Ruby be our friends? After reflecting on what friendship is and why it matters to us and society, I conclude that they can.

Capitalism dominates “nature” in order to thrive. But it has exhausted “cheap nature” (Jason Moore). So ecological crises call for deep economic transformation.

North Americans hesitate to honor workers. That’s because our economy is anti-work. I explain how capitalism undermines good work and needs to be transformed.

Democracy in the United States is not genuine. We have democratic deficits in politics, culture, and economy. So, we’re in a crisis, and populist tyranny looms.

Plato warned about Donald Trump. I explain this warning, discuss Trump’s recent indictments, and urge democratic citizens to resist his authoritarian populism.

The lively arts center that I helped create in the 1990s has been acquired by Calvin University, where I taught philosophy. I reflect on UICA’s recent demise.

To pursue social transformation, we need Dr. Martin Luther King’s critical hope. It points to shared societal principles and envisions a life-giving society.

Canadians and Americans mark national birthdays in July. Amid culture wars, do we share anything worth celebrating? Yes. We all expect solidarity and justice.

Everyone wants to belong. But how do we organize a society where this doesn’t foster abuse or violence? I discuss Dutch pillarization and suggest an alternative.

A recent camping trip makes me wonder, Why are we all here? As Molly Worthen shows, the same question nags universities today. A good philosophy should help us say why.

Silos of specialized expertise keep philosophy from countering post-truth politics. It is time to open them toward social critique and social-ethical wisdom.

Overly specialized and isolated, philosophy looks like an archaic ruin. To offer genuine insights for a post-truth society, it needs creative reconstruction.

To resist cynicism and legalism, we need to do public philosophy with a human heart, one that cares about what matters most. Our dogs can help us learn how.