HUFFINGTON
09.15.13
THE BIG QUESTIONS
istration’s threat to launch strikes
against Syria, the discussion frequently turns to the role of the
state. “What obligation does the
state have? In a critical situation
like a war, can the government
suspend natural rights?” said
Houghtaling. “Where’s the line?”
As Houghtaling sees it, these
are questions that can all too eas-
covery from the recession ahead,
jobs and money have a way of taking precedence over any talk of
higher purpose. When Gallup researchers asked an international
group of respondents a few years
ago to describe their “best possible future,” the responses leaned
heavily toward “wealth” and “good
health.” It was harder, on the other
“WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS, MOSTLY
WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS TRYING TO PLANT SEEDS SO THEY ARE
FAMILIAR WITH DIFFERENT WORLD VOCABULARIES.”
ily be swallowed by the activities
and stresses of everyday life.
“We go through the perfunctory things so much, putting on
our suits and ties, and putting
on our titles, that we don’t get
to talk about humanity and life.
It’s cathartic when you get to do
it,” he said. “It’s tough to sustain
yourself unless there are ‘whys’
and purposes.”
Yet, there are plenty of reasons
for putting off these questions.
With high unemployment and
economists predicting years of re-
hand, for people to describe what
they considered good relationships
and a sense of community, and
how important they were.
G
IVEN THE CONSIDERABLE
evidence and widespread perception that
we are drifting away
from the Big Questions, more
universities have committed to
sparking conversations. Many
classrooms and campus greens are
being turned into experimental
zones where students and faculty
can explore what Greek philosophers called the quest for ataraxia, or “tranquility,” in life.