Morality and the Law: Right, Wrong, and the Rules We Live By
How do we know the difference between right and wrong? Laws often legislate morality, but we cannot necessarily use laws to inform our knowledge and behaviors on good versus evil. Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss laws and morality as a means to guide our behaviors. They consider when laws should enforce morality for all and how we should live in a diverse pluralistic society where we do not necessarily agree.Note: A previous episode, Just Price or Just a Price? is referenced in the conversation.Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.Recording Date: 6 March 2025
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55:42
The Upside of Unequal: Is Inequality Always Bad?
Inequality is generally presented as a major problem to be corrected. It has become such a talking point that many people even conflate inequality with poverty. But should we truly seek a society of equality where everyone is given the same number of resources… does the same go for compliments? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss what may be lost when equality becomes the driving force of a workplace or community.Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.
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53:43
Cultivating Generosity: Should We Receive Pleasure When We Give to Others?
Is one being generous if they enjoy the very act of giving? Or is giving only a virtue if it hurts in some way? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the pleasure in generosity and why we may want to cultivate in ourselves, and others, the “warm glow” that comes from altruism. They tell stories and question whether we should consider efficiencies and effectiveness in our giving. Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.Recording Date: 23 January 2025
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1:01:21
[Bonus Episode] Liberation Day: The Tariff Wall Is Here
On April 2nd, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the most expansive set of tariffs (taxes on imports) in modern history with the United States setting a baseline tariff rate of 10% on over 180 countries. And further tariffs will be added to particular countries including China, Japan, Taiwan, and the European Union. Rarely does a global event intersect so closely with the academic work of both Enoch and Tim, so they too are stepping into unprecedented terrain in recording a bonus episode on a current event in political economy. They discuss what the tariffs will do, motivations for comprehensive tax on nearly all imports, and how we can choose better in a world with less free trade.Errata: In the episode, I (Enoch) attempted a back of the envelope calculation of the magnitude of the tariff. I estimated 2-5% increase in costs using (10-54% tariff range on imports which are about 20% of the magnitude of US GDP). This may be in the ballpark of the increase in prices (likely an overestimate), but it is a big overestimate on the hit to GDP since this the tariffs are largely a transfer to government revenue (taxes on imports). There is a deadweight loss to the economy (transition to less-efficient production, some consumers no longer can afford specific goods), but this is going to be significantly smaller than the 2-5% number.Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.Recording Date: 3 April 2025
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47:56
Patriot Games: A National(ism) Past Time (recorded with a LIVE audience)
In a world where even waving a flag feels like picking a fight, what does it really mean to belong to a nation? Is nationalism a unifying force or a political powder keg? Come join Dr. Taylor and Dr. Hill in their first ever live recording as they try to untangle the good, the bad, and the downright weird of national identity—when it inspires, when it divides, and when it just gets awkward. Enoch and Tim record their first podcast with a live audience at Wheaton College!Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.Recording Date: 20 March 2025
México