Robert Earle

Why I teach:
My first impression of Socrates was of a radical who challenged the conventional, elitist culture of his time. He was committed to engaging in rational discourse, treating all others as fellow truth-seekers on equal footing. (I am still sympathetic to this depiction of Socrates).

That view of Socrates is the reason I got into philosophy. None of us is better than anyone else. What is more, we are capable of connecting with each other through dialogue guided by critical thinking. I grant that such connections are rare, and it can be frustrating to see how logic is often powerless in the face of entrenched ideology. However, I know that careful reasoning can sometimes transform beliefs and open minds, for I have undergone those changes myself many times. In my classroom and other work as a professor, I strive to make those moments of philosophical connection more prevalent.