On Becoming

Academic Freedom

What is academic freedom? Why does it matter? Recent debates about politics and speech on college campuses have brought this issue into the mainstream. In this episode of On Becoming, Dr. Benson draws on his decades of experience as a professor and researcher to shed new light on the importance of academic freedom for the academy, as well as its development. 

The State of Academia

The Attack on Scholarship

Is College Worth It?: The Value of Higher Education (Part Two)

In this episode, Dr. Benson goes into more details about the variety of options provided to students at different types of schools, and how these impact their experiences. Utilizing his years of experience as a professor, Dr. Benson discusses the elements of a college education that are perhaps less tangible and less directly-connected to financial outcomes. 

Is College Worth It?: The Value of Higher Education

Is college worth it? With tuition prices at stratospheric highs, and the burden of student loans constantly in the news, Dr Benson discusses the perceptions of college's value, as well as the financial considerations one must make. This is part one of a two-part series. In the next episode, Dr Benson will consider the value of higher education that goes beyond the finances. 

PENSÉES: What is the Future of Higher Education

This episode is part of a new series from On Becoming. These shorter episodes — which we will call ‘Pensées, after the work of Blaise Pascal — will serve as ‘reflections’ on the general themes that will be addressed at greater length in our standard, full-length episodes each week. In this pensée, Dr. Benson discusses the idea of what the future of higher education may be, and outlines a few of the issues in colleges and universities that will come up in our full episode this week. 

Religion as a Way of Life (Part 3)

After a brief holiday break we are back with part three of the 'Religion as a Way of Life' series!

Religion as a Way of Life (Part One)

Where Does Religion Come From? (Part Two)

In this episode, Dr. Benson continues his discussion of Ross Douthat's New York Times op-ed 'Where Does Religion Come From?'

Where Does Religion Come From? (Part One)

In this episode, Dr. Benson discusses Ross Douthat's recent New York Times op-ed 'Where Does Religion Come From?,' offers his take on where Douthat goes wrong, and gives his own take on the question.