The Theory of Cuss Word Relativity
Which words are considered taboo varies by place and time, scholars find.
How Public Schools “Americanized” Hawai‘i
Colonial education administrators recruited teachers from the mainland, but soon realized another strategy was in order.
Goth Won’t Die, but It Wants a Funeral Anyway
Like its celebrated vampires, the Goth subculture has roots in a fascination with death and cultural transgression.
How Comparative Religion Took Root in the 19th Century
Many Americans considered faiths outside Christianity and Judaism to be "pagan." Unitarian minister James Freeman Clarke argued otherwise.
When Sports Have “Death Waivers”
Obstacle courses can draw thousands of participants to a single event, but legal scholars say they need scrutiny.
Archaeological Discoveries Are Happening Faster Than Ever Before
And it's helping refine the human story.
3 Women Philosophers of the Enlightenment
They shaped the history of Western philosophical thought. It's past time to recognize their contributions.
Robert Brandom, a Philosopher’s Philosopher
Robert Brandom’s A Spirit of Trust, a groundbreaking new book on Hegel, seeks to unite analytic philosophy with continental.
Quiet Struggle Means Resistance without Protest
A lone resister is easy to take down, but there is safety in numbers, in conspiracies of silence, in refusals to testify against one's neighbors.
Five Green Living Resolutions for 2020
We won't solve all of the pressing environmental problems, but we can help mitigate some.