Volume 10 Authors

An Interview with Joseph Baranoski II

After reading a National Geographic article when he was 10, Joseph Baranoski II learned that in the year 2050, there will be a larger population of 60 year olds than that of 10 years old–this statistic stuck with him for many years. When he came into freshman year and was given the opportunity to research any topic in his Honors English 101 class, Joseph knew that he wanted to investigate the topic of fertility in different demographics, which he argues does not get the attention in society it requires.

An Interview with Matt Cutrona

This paper explores how Mary’s title, Queen of Sorrows, is portrayed in the hymn Stabat Mater Dolorosa and investigates this hymn’s history and significance. Cutrona asserts that by coming to know Mary as the Queen of Sorrows and by drawing close to her in her suffering, we are also able to draw closer to Jesus and better understand his love for us.

An Interview with Elizabeth LeMaster  

This paper explores the effect knowledge has upon humanity by analyzing Aristotle’s argument in Metaphysics that knowledge and wisdom perfect human nature and Rousseau’s argument in Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men that knowledge corrupts human nature. LeMaster offers her own position, asserting that man by nature desires to know, since it is wisdom that separates man from animals; however, man must learn how to properly and responsibly use the knowledge they attain

An Interview with Sarah Freidmann  

The debate surrounding social and political expectations being placed on celebrities is a very popular topic of discussion in today’s celebrity landscape. Last year Sarah Friedmann took HIST 329: The Beatles in the US and UK class with Dr. Laura Mayhall and she became very interested in this question of the responsibility celebrities have on our culture today and what we can learn from studying one of the most popular bands of all time. 

An Interview with Lauren McGinn

This paper explores a defense of Heidegger’s critique of categorical knowledge, in which McGinn instead suggests that people should seek to understand the historical existence and aesthetic depth of mundane things with the empathy that comes from a phenomenological approach. By mindfully connecting with everyday objects, people can root themselves in their existence and better understand the consciousness of an object's knower.