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Practically Idealistic blog
 
The title for this blog originated with use of the term “practical idealist” in this 1996 opinion piece, which asked: “To what kind of work should a practical idealist aspire?” A century and a half earlier, Emerson, in his 1841 essay Circles, wrote: “There are degrees in idealism.  We learn first to play with it academically. . . .  Then we see in the heyday of youth and poetry that it may be true, that it is true in gleams and fragments.  Then, its countenance waxes stern and grand, and we see that it must be true.  It now shows itself ethical and practical.”  John Dewey and Mahatma Gandhi embraced practical idealism in the 20th century, as did UN Secretary General U Thant.  Al Gore invoked it in a 1998 speech. In the context of this blog, the term is meant to convey idealism tempered but not overwhelmed by realism: a search for the ideal on a path guided by common sense.
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Saturday, November 28, 2015

“Early Literacy Experiences, the Brain, and Child Development”

The New Haven Independent published my account of a November 19 evening Literacy Forum at Southern Connecticut State University, with support also from the Literacy Coalition of Greater New Haven, on “Early Literacy Experiences, the Brain, and Child Development.” 

10:24 am est 

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Mass Murder of Civilians, Again; Interfaith Youth Core

The appalling Paris attacks follow numerous other horrors in places ranging from London and Madrid to Beirut, from Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan to Turkey, Nigeria, and Kenya.  Paris is a reminder of the 2008 Mumbai attacks – reflected upon in a November 2008 post – as well as of course September 11, 2001.  Then, I was living and working in Manhattan, as described in a tenth anniversary post in September 2011.

As noted in previous posts, among the voices and organizations most worthy of attention are Eboo Patel and the Interfaith Youth Core – a source of some hope amid violence and intolerance.

Peace.
4:10 pm est 

Sunday, November 8, 2015

“On Common Ground,” Number 15

Coinciding with a conference, there is a new edition (number 15) of the periodical On Common Ground, which is dedicated to "strengthening teaching through school-university partnership."

8:49 am est 


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