Dallas Philosophers Forum

The institution of capital punishment extends throughout history and cultures. Victims of capital punishment vary from individual criminals to political enemies. Capital punishment has occurred in both secret and as a public spectacle. From Socrates to Jesus Christ and all the way to the most recently executed John Steven Gardner, capital punishment has claimed thousands of lives. However, there emerges a debate regarding the viability and moral justifications regarding state sanctioned executions. Secularists within the western-democratic world have widely begun rejecting the notion of capital punishment, however, Christians oddly remain in support of the very institution that claimed the life of Jesus Himself. This lecture briefly provides a secular approach arguing against capital punishment but primarily focuses on a Christian Utilitarian argument against the institution. Because Christians are the biggest supporting group of capital punishment, the lecture aims to address that particular demographic. Through both scriptural justifications and theological rationalism, the institution of capital punishment begins to reveal itself as not just unaligned with Christianity, but intentionally in opposition against Christianity. This lecture erodes the justifications for capital punishment but also reveals alternatives to ethical ideas of justice, law, and order. It remains true that when individuals conceptualize the most ‘evil’ acts against humanity such as child predators, sex traffickers, and serial killers, the institution of capital punishment looks appetizing. But these crimes and criminals can still be addressed without state sanctioned executions. More so, a greater standard of justice is invoked with the removal of capital punishment and a realization of Christian ideas of redemption.

Many have heard of Ockham’s Razor, named after the 14th century Catholic Franciscan monk and philosopher, William of Ockham, but far fewer are aware of his teaching and promotion of Nominalism. We are all, however, swimming in a cultural sea saturated in the effects of Nominalism, a philosophy that has left the world fundamentally and perhaps forever changed.
Nominalism denies the existence of universals in the realm of ideas in favor of a belief in many and various particular things to which we’ve attached various names. The philosophy of Nominalism is simpler and less abstract than its counterpart, Realism, and is therefore a classic application of Ockham's Razor which states that when one is given options, it’s generally best to choose the one that is simpler.
But universals are not the only casualty of Nominalism. Jettisoned as well are some of the key concepts of ancient Greek and scholastic philosophy, such as the existence or natures in things and the natural law, essences, objective truth and man’s power to use his God-given reason to come to know that truth.
In this presentation, Dave Palmer will explore the philosophical and cultural consequences of the widespread acceptance of Nominalism and how it has created in its wake a shattered and confused world, one no longer marked by objective transcendental realities such as truth, beauty and goodness. Instead, today’s world is riddled with the scourge of a litany of isms- Materialism, Empiricism, Secularism, Postitivism, Relativism, Marxism and Deconstructionism.
And we have William of Ockham to blame for this seismic shift in epistemology and cultural norms and values.
Dave will argue that by returning to the ancient and scholastic roots of philosophy and theology, there is still hope that the world can once again return to order and common sense by ridding ourselves of the scourge of Nominalism.

How does one connect and bring out the best in the people you work with? What factors, from active listening to being responsive and creating a safe environment, make for a successful coaching model? Decades ago, writer Robert Fritz provided an explanation for the dynamics of professional growth. Fritz reasoned that, to grow, humans need two things: an accurate picture of their current reality and a goal they want to achieve. We will explore how coaches in schools and athletics can create growth opportunities for students and adults. We will also come to understand that many coaching skills are transferable to other personal and professional situations beyond the realm of education.