https://share.transistor.fm/s/a637deef In a political culture overflowing with opinions but often lacking deeper reflection, Dr. J sits down with Dr. Michael Giles to explore a deceptively simple question: What is political theology, and why does it matter? Far more than partisan preferences or ideological instincts, political theology asks how our understanding of God, human nature, authority, … Continue reading Developing a Theology of Politics
Author: Michael Giles
AI Use in the Classroom
From LCC's student newspaper, a variety of views on AI - including my own. This article is part of The Lookout's LCC x AI series, a multi-part series on conversations surrounding AI and its impacts at Lansing Community College. By Nicole WadkinsStaff Reporter Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become a commonly used technology on campus. In recent … Continue reading AI Use in the Classroom
Inside “Headroom” with Jim Owens
Recently, my friend Jim Owens invited me on his mental health podcast, "Headroom." We talked for about an hour about the intersection of philosophy and mental health, specifically in light of the moral thought of Aristotle. I hope you give the two episodes, embedded below, a listen. https://player.captivate.fm/episode/808425cd-1ef6-4208-96a7-29e96abaf817 In this episode, Dr. Michael Giles, a … Continue reading Inside “Headroom” with Jim Owens
Hitler’s Reading of Machiavelli
In his excellent book on Maritain, The Philosopher In Society, James V. Schall comments on Maritain's theoretical critique of Niccolo Machiavelli. The Florentine master of immorality, Maritain observed, charms and seduces us. Why, or with what teaching, does Machiavelli seduce us? It is not so much when men ought to do, but what they do … Continue reading Hitler’s Reading of Machiavelli
What I’m Reading Now
Up From Slavery, by Booker T Washington. We probably underestimate the enormity of the task that Washington set for himself: He dedicated his life to the "uplift of our race" from the cruel depredations of slavery. Washington says that what took the white man hundreds of years to learn - the habits and conditions of … Continue reading What I’m Reading Now
My Purpose
In this blog, I present short reflections, tidbits of scholarship and inquiry, and passing thoughts. I shall strive to be serious-minded, that is, meditating on enduring political and social questions. And yet, I shall strive for a light touch. Everyone hates a blog that takes itself too seriously. My goal is to give my readers … Continue reading My Purpose
The Love of Glory
In my classes, we often discuss statesmanship, or leadership. When my students and I talk about leadership, we want to discover what a good leader is, so that we can become that kind of person. Now, one underrated but critically important key to transformational leadership is ambition. Ambition, or the love of glory, is like … Continue reading The Love of Glory
Michael T Giles 