Two decades ago David Berkowitz, the infamous "Son of Sam" serial killer, became a born-again Christian in what may be the most publicized jailhouse conversion of our time. For many his story proves religion's power to transform the lives of even the most hardened criminals. Today groups like Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministries aim to convert inmates while seeking public funds for their sectarian programs. But are these programs as successful at lowering recidivism rates as they claim? And are there any secular alternatives to such programs? Dr. Michael DeWilde, founder of the Community Working Classics Program, joins us to discuss the joys and challenges of teaching philosophy to prison inmates. Also on this episode: American evangelicals are meddling in foreign affairs from Uganda to Palestine; plus a new "Stranger Than Fiction"
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9 comments:
Another great episode- thanks for all the wonderful content!
Hi, love the show... FYI, I noticed your Feedburner feed has the dates wrong for Episodes 70 and 71 - they say they're from December 2010 instead of July 2010.
Thanks anon,
The date error was actually intentional. Its a long story, but basically it was the easiest way I could fix a problem with iTunes automatic updates.
What a great show. That interview really got my hopes up to hear of such an enlightened, successful program in my backyard, only to dash them upon hearing that some idiots pulled the plug on it. I hope they work to restore it.
I loved that interview! Reminded me of that This American Life about how they were trying to teach prisoners Hamlet. I hope they get back into the prisons- after all (theoretically at least) we are trying to rehabilitate criminals, not punish them. Also, should he ever write a book, I will be all over that.
-Jen
Excellent, fairly intense show. It's good to hear philosophers like Dr. DeWilde really put their money with their mouth is; his work is the polar opposite of coffee shop philosophy.
This talk brought to mind Tom Wolfe's "A Man in Full," perhaps his finest novel. The philosopher Epictetus figures predominately in the story, and his work has a profound effect upon a character who finds himself in prison.
Roberto,
WHOO HOO! I finally found someone else who has read A Man in Full!
What an incredible book. Conrad meeting Charlie brought tears to my eyes. As soon as he started talking about Epictetus so much, I got excited and asked him if he read the book. Unfortunately he had started it but never finished. He did tell me thier is something called the Epictetus project that sends copies of the stoics to prisoners.
Thanks for the comment.
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