Congratulations to Dr. Mark Vopat whose book Children’s Rights and Moral Parenting was recently re-released in paperback by Lexington Books. Dr. Vopat’s book offers a systematic treatment of a variety of issues involving the intersection of the rights of children and the moral responsibility of parents. The text presents a theory of the relationship between parents, children, and the state which can then be applied to the real life decisions that parents are often in the position to make on behalf of their children. In many instances, our current view of parental rights has granted parents far more discretion than is morally warranted. This conclusion is arrived at by carefully considering the unique status children have; socially, legally and morally in most western societies.

Children’s Rights and Moral Parenting

2016 Carrasco from YSU Phil and Rel Studies on Vimeo.

Our recent Shipka Speaker Dr. David Carrasco recently sent us a photo of himself in a “Fear the Penguin” shirt. I think we may have to make him an honorary YSU Penguin.

2016 Shipka Speaker Carrasco.pdf

Dr. Michael Jerryson was invited to present a paper on Buddhist violence in Asia, titled “Marketing the Buddha and its Blasphemy” at the BBB Copenhagen Conference at the University of Copenhagen. Drawing upon his fieldwork among militant monks in Southern Thailand and studies across Asia, Michael Jerryson spoke about how Buddhist monks can reconcile their faith with acts of violence, and how the Buddhist traditions similar to other religious systems contain scriptures and beliefs that justify violence.