The Discourses of Epictetus with Running Commentary – Book I, Chapter 26

Twenty-sixth installment: Arrian, a student of Epictetus, wrote eight books, The Discourses of Epictetus, of which four survive. Selections from those eight books were also collected in the Enchiridion, or “Handbook.” The Discourses give us a quite vivid portrait of the man who inspired them, and also give us fascinating glimpses into his singular didactic style. We very quickly […]
Senior Stockdale Center Staff Lead NATO Allied Command Transformation Workshop

Last week, three members of the Stockdale Center Team (Center Director – Dr. Joe Thomas; Volgenau Director of Strategy and Research – Dr. Ed Barrett; and Timothy and Susanne Sullivan Director of Influencer Development – Dr. Celeste Raver) had the opportunity to provide a workshop at NATO Allied Commander Transformation for members of the German […]
Leadership in Moral Awareness: Initial Evidence From U.S. Army Soldiers Returning From Deployment

Author: Ian Gutierrez, Stephen Krauss, Amy Adler (October 31, 2024 – American Psychological Association) This article discusses the role of moral awareness leadership in moderating the mental health impact of combat experiences on soldiers. Using the Leadership in Moral Awareness Scale (LIMAS), researchers found that soldiers with high combat exposure reported fewer symptoms of depression […]
Ethical Leadership Development: Highlights from the Past and a Glimpse of the Future

Authors: Elias Ursitti, Eric J. Weis, Donald P. Loren (October 18, 2024 – National Defense University) This article explores ethical leadership’s importance in shaping military and organizational culture, emphasizing the need for senior leaders to foster accountability and ethically healthy environments. Effective leadership can encourage a virtuous cycle of ethical conduct, while poor leadership may […]
AI and machine learning: Embracing Gen AI at Work

Author: H. James Wilson and Paul R. Daugherty (October 31, 2024 – Harvard Business Review) This article discusses the transformative impact of generative AI on the workforce, highlighting its potential to reshape up to 40% of U.S. work activities, especially in fields like law, banking, and healthcare. Effective AI use will require new “fusion skills,” […]
David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts on Conflict, War, and Debate

Author: David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts (January 12, 2024 – OpenToDebate.org) This debate podcast delves into the parallels between debate and conflict, highlighting how discussion can serve as a preventive measure for conflict escalation. Historian Andrew Roberts and retired General David Petraeus examine the importance of strategic leadership and proportionality in military operations, drawing from […]
2024 Ethics Awards Dinner

The annual Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence Ethics Award dinner celebrated the Naval Academy’s commitment to moral leadership. The event honored midshipmen, faculty, and leaders for their ethical contributions. Highlights included speeches from Vice Admiral Davids, USN, and Lieutenant General Whistler, USMC (Ret.), recognition of midshipmen achievements, and the presentation of the Admiral Charles R. […]
McCain 2024 opening with GEN Allen

The 2024 McCain Conference opens by welcoming attendees, including cadets, midshipmen, and faculty from various military academies. The keynote speaker highlights the importance of the Stockdale Center for leadership, ethics, and character development at the Naval Academy. The conference focus on military ethics and the challenges facing liberal democracies. Speakers are chosen for their diverse […]
Economics Panel

The 2024 McCain Conference features a panel on economic challenges, highlighting federal debt and public health crises. Dr. Anne Case discusses the rise in deaths of despair linked to economic conditions and the decline in life expectancy among less-educated Americans. Mark Goldwein addresses the escalating federal interest payments on debt, emphasizing the need for fiscal […]
Technology Panel

This panel discussion addressed how AI and technology affect liberal democracy. Key concerns included AI’s role in epistemic bubbles, nudge algorithms, micro-targeting, and generative AI’s impact on belief formation and political agency. Possible solutions included regulation, third-party audits, and promoting intellectual virtues in education. Sunstein’s presentation explored group dynamics, showing how polarization and extremism often […]