Jerry Soneson

Why I teach:
I have always felt myself caught between my interests in both Philosophy and the Study of Religion. While religion so often structures meaningful pictures of the world, shaping overall understanding and guiding behavior, philosophy is the critical study of these important ideas, symbols, values and practices.

As Socrates notes in his trial for his life, 'There is nothing more important to do than to discuss virtue every day, . . . for the unexamined life is not worth living.' In my estimation, it is so important to help students think philosophically about religion in order to help them learn how to live more meaningfully, creatively – and in more reconciling ways – with those who don't agree with them. I can hardly think of a more important task in life.