"Always Talk About the Elephant:
​a two-minute Commencement Address"

In May, 2016, Jack Russell Weinstein was awarded the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorship, the highest honor and rank at the University of North Dakota. As is customary, he was asked to make very brief remarks to the graduating class. 

These comments were spontaneous  Jack had a theme in mind when he walked on stage, but had no idea what he was actually going to say. 

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"The Goal of Reading Genesis is to Unlearn What You Think You Already Know About It"

What does the book of Genesis actually say? How should we understand it in context? Are the stories that we ae familiar with really in The Bible? Does a Jewish reader experience it differently than a Christian one? Join Why? Radio host Jack Russell Weinstein and Professor of Spanish and Foreign Languages Claudia Routon, as they discuss Genesis in an interview for her folklore class. In that class, the students had read selections from Genesis and had listened to the Why? Radio episode “Why do we need a new translation of the Hebrew Bible?’ with guest Robert Alter.

​You do not need to have read the bible or listened to that podcast in order to follow this video. But if you would like, the episode can be found here: https://wp.me/p8pYQY-18P

"What's Wrong with the Golden Rule (and how can we defend it, anyway)?"

The first moral rule that most people think of is the Golden one: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is a problem because it assumes that everyone is just like us and wants what we want. In this video, philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein explores this core issues and presents a partial solution, ending with a very challenging question about the human condition. ​

"Should there be Gun Control? A debate"

A debate with the National Rifle Association's  President Sandra Froman at the University of North Dakota School of Law. This debate was open to the public and audience questions follow. It took place in April, 2013 

Jack Russell Weinstein is ambushed...and named Distinguished Professor

The University of North Dakota has named Jack Weinstein, Professor of Philosophy and Director of UND's Institute for Philosophy in Public Life.

"Interview on Prairie Pulse TV magazine" 

An interview on Prairie Public's news magazine on June 12, 2018. ​Jack discusses his radio show, his work on Adam Smith, and how philosophy relates to everyday life. 

"Is Money All There Is? Other Aspects of Life in Adam Smith’s Free Market"

Economists will tell you that Adam Smith viewed people as selfish and competitive, and that free-markets operate on the principle of “every person for themselves.” Nothing can be further from the truth. Smith saw money as a means to an end and wrote an entire book telling us why. In this presentation, philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein gives a fuller presentation of Smith’s philosophy and explains why empathy, interpersonal relationships, and even the humanities, are central to Smith’s early economics.

​This is a recording of the Professor Jack Russell Weinstein's Larry Remele Fellowship Lecture, sponsored by the North Dakota Humanities Council, Heritage Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, February 2005.

"What is Philosophy?

What is philosophy and what can you do with it? Is it true that philosophers are all unemployed? Obviously, the answer to the last question is now; it is a great college major. In this video, philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein explores what philosophy is and how it relates to the job market. Originally recorded in 2009, on Studio One, from the University of North Dakota.

​For more information and statistics about philosophy majors and their jobs after graduation, visit www.philosophyisagreatmajor.com

"Philosophy, Autoimmune Encephalitis and Chronic Illness"

 A wide-ranging discussion exploring the relationship between mind and brain, and how philosophy can assist in mental health. From a podcast focusing specifically on autoimmune encephalitis.