- Political Science, History, Philosophy, Constitutional Law, Separation of Church and State, Liberty of conscience, and 127 moreTheocracy, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Political History, Public Law, Jurisprudence, Comparative Law, Comparative Constitutional Law, New England (History), Rhode Island History, American Puritanism, English Puritanism, English History, Early Modern History, American Founding, Colonial (American History), History of Political Thought, Roger Williams Theologian, Roger Williams, Religion and Politics, Church and State, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, American History, Early Republic--American History, Judicial review, Henry Stubbe, Colonial America, Henry Vane, John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, James Wilson, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, American Founding History, Space and Time (Philosophy), Erastianism, Thomas Hobbes, Oliver Cromwell, Interregnum, John Milton, Philosophy of Law, Constitutionalism, Vladimir Putin, Soviet, post-Soviet, Russian politics, Michael Servetus, American Government, Judicial Activism, 17th & 18th Century New England History, colonial New England; historical anthropology, New England archaeology, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, New England History, New England tribes, 17th century New England, New England Theology, Native Americans, Paleo-Indians, Archaeology, John Oldham, John Cotton, Religious Liberty, Relations between Church and State, Established Churches, Church and State Law, Separationof Church and State, History of Religious Liberty, Religious Freedom, History of Religious Freedom, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, The Use of the Old Testament in the New, Biblical Typology, Massachusetts History, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Salem, Massachusetts History, John Owen, Cromwellian Protectorate, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Early American Religion, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, Religious Persecution, PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, New England Hisotry, Heresy and Blasphemy, Heresy and Orthodoxy, Heresy and Religious Dissent, Heresy and Inquisition, Martin Luther, Martin luther and the Reformation, John Calvin, Servetus, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Free Exercise Clause, First Amendment Law (USA), First Amendment, First Amendment/Freedom of Expression issues, Puritanism, Puritans, Puritan Studies, Puritan Revolution, Puritan Theology, Radical Puritanism, 17th Century & Early Modern Philosophy, 17th-Century Studies, 17th- and 18th-century Philosophy, Calvinism, Early Modern English History, Westminster Assembly, Levellers, Baptist History, Wall of Separation, Leo Strauss, American Legal and Constitutional History, Constituionalism and Constitutional Law, Free Will, Ethics, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Confucian Philosophy, Confucian Ethics, Confucius, Confucian Classics, Confucius Analects, Contemporary Confucianism, Postmodernism, Classical Political Philosophy, and Epistocracyedit
- Alan E. Johnson, an independent philosopher, historian, political scientist, and legal scholar, is the author of the ... moreAlan E. Johnson, an independent philosopher, historian, political scientist, and legal scholar, is the author of the books "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022), "Free Will and Human Life" (2021),"The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and Proposed Constitutional and Statutory Changes for Direct Popular Vote," Second Edition (2021), "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (2015), and other publications in the fields of ethical and political philosophy, history, political science, and law. He is currently working on a forthcoming book titled "Reason and Human Government," which will complete his philosophical trilogy on free will, ethics, and political philosophy.
He holds an A.B. (Political Science, 1968) and an A.M. (Humanities, 1971) from the University of Chicago and a J.D. (1979) from Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He retired in 2012 from the practice of law after a long career as an attorney in which he focused mainly, though not exclusively, on constitutional and public law litigation.
Alan Johnson is also the founding moderator of the Political Philosophy and Ethics discussion group (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/137714-political-philosophy-and-ethics) on Goodreads.com. All who are interested in political philosophy and/or ethics are welcome to join.edit
This is an exact PDF replica of the print-on-demand paperback edition of my book "Reason and Human Ethics" (originally published 2022; errata corrected as of May 22, 2024). This book argues that a secular, biological, teleological basis... more
This is an exact PDF replica of the print-on-demand paperback edition of my book "Reason and Human Ethics" (originally published 2022; errata corrected as of May 22, 2024). This book argues that a secular, biological, teleological basis of human ethics exists and that reasoning and critical thinking about both ends and means are essential to human ethics. It examines how these principles apply in the contexts of individual ethics, social ethics, citizen ethics, media ethics, and political ethics.
This PDF does not support toggling between the text and endnotes, as does the Kindle ebook edition. The book is also available at a reasonable price in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Human-Ethics-Alan-Johnson/dp/097010555X/ref=monarch_sidesheet) and other Amazon sites throughout the world.
This PDF does not support toggling between the text and endnotes, as does the Kindle ebook edition. The book is also available at a reasonable price in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Human-Ethics-Alan-Johnson/dp/097010555X/ref=monarch_sidesheet) and other Amazon sites throughout the world.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Ethics, Plato, Theological Ethics, Virtue Ethics, and 15 moreHistoricism, Inductive Reasoning, Practical Reasoning, Utilitarianism, Immanuel Kant, David Hume, Teleology, Aristotle's Ethics, Informal Logic, Fallacies, Moral Relativism, Cultural Relativism, Ethical relativism, Jonathan Haidt, and Adam Smith Theory of Moral Sentiments
This is a description and synopsis of Alan E. Johnson's book "Reason and Human Ethics," which is currently available in paperback and Kindle ebook at https://www.amazon.com/dp/097010555X/ref=cm_sw_s_fa_dp_77X0FWPYP3288GDWZDMF#_=_. A PDF... more
This is a description and synopsis of Alan E. Johnson's book "Reason and Human Ethics," which is currently available in paperback and Kindle ebook at https://www.amazon.com/dp/097010555X/ref=cm_sw_s_fa_dp_77X0FWPYP3288GDWZDMF#_=_. A PDF replica of the paperback is also accessible, at no charge, at https://www.academia.edu/107899091/Reason_and_Human_Ethics_Pittsburgh_Philosophia_2022_. One disadvantage of the PDF is that it does not allow toggling back and forth between the endnote references in the text and the endnotes themselves. All endnotes are hyperlinked in the Kindle edition.
Research Interests: Business Ethics, Philosophy, Ethics, Normative Ethics, Applied Ethics, and 15 moreAnimal Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Critical Thinking, Media Ethics, Socrates, Social Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Environmental Sustainability, Practical Rationality, Confucius, Fallacies, Political Ethics, Reason, Zoroaster, and Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
The front matter (excerpts), Chapter 1 ("What Is the Basis of Human Ethics?"), and Chapter 2 ("Human Reason") of Alan E. Johnson's book "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022) are included in this public post. The entire book is available in... more
The front matter (excerpts), Chapter 1 ("What Is the Basis of Human Ethics?"), and Chapter 2 ("Human Reason") of Alan E. Johnson's book "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022) are included in this public post.
The entire book is available in both paperback and Kindle editions at https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Human-Ethics-Alan-Johnson/dp/097010555X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1657319931&sr=8-1. A PDF replica of the entirety of the paperback is also accessible, at no charge, at https://www.academia.edu/107899091/Reason_and_Human_Ethics_Pittsburgh_Philosophia_2022_. One disadvantage of the PDF is that it does not allow toggling back and forth between the endnote references in the text and the endnotes themselves. All endnotes are hyperlinked in the Kindle edition.
The entire book is available in both paperback and Kindle editions at https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Human-Ethics-Alan-Johnson/dp/097010555X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1657319931&sr=8-1. A PDF replica of the entirety of the paperback is also accessible, at no charge, at https://www.academia.edu/107899091/Reason_and_Human_Ethics_Pittsburgh_Philosophia_2022_. One disadvantage of the PDF is that it does not allow toggling back and forth between the endnote references in the text and the endnotes themselves. All endnotes are hyperlinked in the Kindle edition.
Research Interests: Business Ethics, Philosophy, Ethics, Normative Ethics, Applied Ethics, and 15 moreAnimal Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Critical Thinking, Media Ethics, Socrates, Social Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Environmental Sustainability, Practical Rationality, Confucius, Fallacies, Political Ethics, Reason, Zoroaster, and Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
These are the Errata and Supplemental Comment (updated May 22, 2024) for my book "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022).
Alan E. Johnson, Independent Philosopher, Historian, Political Scientist, and Legal Scholar
Alan E. Johnson, Independent Philosopher, Historian, Political Scientist, and Legal Scholar
Research Interests:
This is an exact PDF replica of the print-on-demand paperback edition of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (originally published 2021 with errata corrected as of February 24, 2024). The Introduction defines free will as the independent... more
This is an exact PDF replica of the print-on-demand paperback edition of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (originally published 2021 with errata corrected as of February 24, 2024). The Introduction defines free will as the independent ability to make conscious decisions that are neither predetermined nor random. Chapter 1 evaluates representative arguments against free will: theological predeterminism (Augustine’s later writings, Luther, and Calvin), scientific causal predeterminism (universal natural determinism), ad hoc (genetic or environmental) determinism, and compatibilism/soft determinism (the view that free will and determinism are compatible). Chapter 2 examines representative arguments in favor of free will: Aristotle, modern dualism (Descartes, Kant, and recent Christianity), and contemporary philosophical and scientific perspectives (including evolution/natural selection, neuroscience, quantum physics, and neuroplasticity). Chapter 3 (which also discusses chaos theory, complexity theory, and secular biological teleology) concludes that free will, properly understood, exists and is beneficial to human life. This PDF does not support toggling between the text and endnotes, as does the Kindle ebook edition. The book is also available at a reasonable price in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) and other Amazon sites throughout the world.
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Complexity Theory, Calvin, Luther, and 15 moreChaos Theory, René Descartes, Thomas Hobbes, Augustine, Immanuel Kant, Free Will, Daniel Dennett, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Dualism, Freewill and Determinism, Sam Harris, Free will and determinism debate, and Free Will and Determinism
This is a synopsis of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (2021).
Alan E. Johnson (Independent Philosopher and Historian)
Alan E. Johnson (Independent Philosopher and Historian)
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Thomas Hobbes, Free Will, Daniel Dennett, and 15 moreHenry Stapp, David Hume, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Honderich, Ted, Stuart Kauffman, Benjamin Libet, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Soft Determinism, Ilya Prigogine, Daniel Wegner, and theological predeterminism
This is the bibliography of the 180 works cited in Alan E. Johnson, "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021). The titles in this bibliography include representative writings supporting and opposing free will as well as... more
This is the bibliography of the 180 works cited in Alan E. Johnson, "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021). The titles in this bibliography include representative writings supporting and opposing free will as well as representative compatibilist/soft determinist books and papers. Some other references involve informal logic, hermeneutics, and literary portrayals of free will issues.
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Thomas Hobbes, Free Will, Daniel Dennett, and 15 moreHenry Stapp, David Hume, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Stuart Kauffman, Benjamin Libet, Free will and determinism debate, Ted Honderich, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Soft Determinism, Ilya Prigogine, Daniel Wegner, and theological predeterminism
These are errata and supplemental comments (updated February 24, 2024) to Alan E. Johnson, "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021).
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Thomas Hobbes, Free Will, Daniel Dennett, and 15 moreHenry Stapp, David Hume, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Honderich, Ted, Stuart Kauffman, Benjamin Libet, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Soft Determinism, Ilya Prigogine, Daniel Wegner, and theological predeterminism
This is a book description of the second edition (2021) of my book on the Electoral College. This second edition includes a new chapter on the 2020 election, showing how the Electoral College mechanism made possible the unprecedented... more
This is a book description of the second edition (2021) of my book on the Electoral College. This second edition includes a new chapter on the 2020 election, showing how the Electoral College mechanism made possible the unprecedented chaos and violence of the 2020-21 electoral battles. This new edition also contains a revised and expanded chapter on proposed constitutional and statutory reforms, incorporating lessons learned from the 2020 and other presidential elections.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, American Legal and Constitutional History, Constitutional History, James Madison, Demagogy/demagoguery, and 15 moreWinner Takes All, Alexander Hamilton, Electoral College, The Federalist Papers, Constitutional Interpretation, Three-Fifths Compromise, Ranked Choice Voting, U.S. Presidential Elections 2016, 2000 U.S. presidential election, Instant runoff voting, Big Lie, 2020 US presidential election, January 6, 2021 insurrection at U.S. Capitol, "The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and Proposed Constitutional and Statutory Changes for Direct Popular Vote" by Alan E. Johnson, and Twelfth Amendment
This January 17, 2023 update includes information about the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, which substantially amended the Electoral Count Act.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, American Legal and Constitutional History, Constitutional History, James Madison, Demagogy/demagoguery, and 13 moreWinner Takes All, Electoral College, The Federalist Papers, Constitutional Interpretation, Three-Fifths Compromise, 2016 US Presidential Elections, Ranked Choice Voting, 2000 U.S. presidential election, Instant runoff voting, 2020 US presidential election, January 6, 2021 insurrection at U.S. Capitol, "The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and Proposed Constitutional and Statutory Changes for Direct Popular Vote" by Alan E. Johnson, and Twelfth Amendment
This book is about Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), who was banished from the colony of Massachusetts Bay for advocating freedom of conscience, separation of church and state, Native American rights, and related matters. He founded the town... more
This book is about Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), who was banished from the colony of Massachusetts Bay for advocating freedom of conscience, separation of church and state, Native American rights, and related matters. He founded the town of Providence in what became Rhode Island on the basis of full liberty of conscience and complete separation of religion and government. For additional information, see the uploaded PDF and links.
The book is available in paperback and Kindle e-book editions at Amazon websites throughout the world. The paperback is also available at some other websites and bookstores.
See also my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOlUZaehYk7WmwW8v9oBMzQ) about Roger Williams, including an interview (https://youtu.be/mGRl5lIbdYY) with me about this book.
For Errata and Supplemental Comments, see the separate document uploaded at https://www.academia.edu/13798228/Errata_and_Supplemental_Comments_to_The_First_American_Founder_Roger_Williams_and_Freedom_of_Conscience.
Alan E. Johnson
The book is available in paperback and Kindle e-book editions at Amazon websites throughout the world. The paperback is also available at some other websites and bookstores.
See also my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOlUZaehYk7WmwW8v9oBMzQ) about Roger Williams, including an interview (https://youtu.be/mGRl5lIbdYY) with me about this book.
For Errata and Supplemental Comments, see the separate document uploaded at https://www.academia.edu/13798228/Errata_and_Supplemental_Comments_to_The_First_American_Founder_Roger_Williams_and_Freedom_of_Conscience.
Alan E. Johnson
Research Interests: Native American Religions, American History, Native American Studies, American Studies, Political Philosophy, and 763 more17th Century & Early Modern Philosophy, Political Theory, Early Modern History, History of Religion, Historical Theology, History of Christianity, Typology, Colonial America, American Legal and Constitutional History, Religion and Politics, American Indian History, Early Church, Natural Law, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), English History, Calvin, Calvinism, Anabaptism, Seventeenth Century, Baptist Theology, American Religion, Colonial (American History), Freedom of Religion, Religious Conversion, Judicial review, 17th-Century Studies, Presbyterianism, Quaker Studies, History of Religions, Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, Anglicanism (Anglicanism), Anabaptist Theology, History of Biblical Interpretation, American Political Thought, Early Republic--American History, Political Theology, Church History, Native American, John Calvin, John Locke, Apostle Paul and the Pauline Letters, John Milton, David Hume, Algonquian languages, Anabaptist Studies, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Liberalism and Toleration, Heresy, History of Religious Freedom, Religious History, Theory and Practice of Toleration, Christianity and Nationalism, Religious Persecution, 17th Century Dutch Republic, 17th century Europe, Anglican Church History, High Church Anglicanism, Hobbes, Thomas, 17th century England, Martin Luther, Native American Anthropology, Native American (History), Divine Providence, Unitarianism, History of Biblical Interpretation (Theology), Cotton Mather, New England (History), Book of Revelation, Algonquian studies, Quakerism, Millenarianism, John Adams, Citizenship, Religious Toleration, English Puritanism, Anglican Ecclesiology, American Religious History, Rhode Island History, New Testament Theology, Socinianism, Christian Heresies, Virginia History, Anglican Theology, Theories of Exceptionalism, Constantine, Declaration of Independence, Biblical Typology, Predestination, Oliver Cromwell, James Madison, Eve La Plante, Anne Hutchinson, Church of England, New testament exegesis, Seventeenth-Century British History and Culture, Winston Churchill, Early modern religious history, Theology of Ministry/Office, Henry VIII, Native American history, American Exceptionalism, Pierre Bayle, History of Plymouth, Puritan Studies, Book of Romans, Samuel Richardson, Jesus, First Amendment/Freedom of Expression issues, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, Biblical Studies, Pauline Epistles, First and Second Corinthians, American Puritanism, Apostle Paul, Anne Hutchinson, Medieval theocracy, Roger Williams, Native Americans, First Amendment, Church and State, George Fox, Antichrist, The English Civil War and Revolution, Charles I, Quakers, Geneva, Toleration, Benjamin Franklin, Epistle to the Romans, Political Philosophy, Thomas Hobbes, Cromwellian Protectorate, Queen Elizabeth I, Religious Liberty, Old Testament and New Testament theology and Biblical studies, with an in-depth focus on exegetical and critical issues, Vladimir Putin, The Use of the Old Testament in the New, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, Early Christianity, John Quincy Adams, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Deism and Freethought, History of Baptist and their Identity, Tithes, Deism, Philipp Melanchthon, History of Biblical Exegesis and Interpretation, Colonial Virginia, Oaths, English Civil War, Charles II, History of theology, Free Exercise Clause, Christendom, American Founding, Parables of Jesus, Algonquian, Magna Carta, Female Veil, St. Paul, Rhode Island, King James I, Persecution, Native American Languages, St Paul and his epistles, 17th Century History, Baptist Heritage, Anabaptists, Aquidneck Island, Wampanoag History, Liberty of conscience, King Philip's War, Patrick Henry, Nonbelievers, Founders of Colonies, Colonial Massachusetts, Colonial Plymouth, Massachusetts History, George Washington, Tithe, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Biblical Theocracy, Anglican Studies, Constantine the Great, Theocracy, Puritanism, Revelation to John, John Owen, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Pequot War, Anglicanism, Anabaptist History and Theology, Salem, Massachusetts History, History of Religious Liberty, Right to Vote, Biblical Exegesis, St Paul, Puritan Revolution, Gunpowder Plot, Pope Sixtus V, Arminianism, Congregationalism, Levellers, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Westminster Assembly, Familism, Early Quakers, Abigail Adams, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, Pius V, pope, Tithe, historical development;, colonial New England; historical anthropology, New England archaeology, History of Quakerism, Politics of Exceptionalism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Wampanoag History / King Philips War / Nantucket, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Anabaptist Hermeneutics, Baptist History, Edict of Nantes (1598), Seventeenth century Quakers, Marbury v. Madison, Pope Leo X, John Lilburne, Philip II of Spain, John Locke Second Treatise, Separation of religion and government, Exceptionalism, Michael Servetus, A Letter Concerning Toleration, Mary I, Scottish Presbyterianism, Gregory XIII, Newport History, New Amsterdam, The Book of Revelation, The doctrines of predestination and election, Henry VIII and the Church, Henry VIII and the Catholic Church, Religious Society of Friends Quakers, William Harris, Spanish Armada, Bill of Rights, Colonial Newport History, Jean Calvin, Free will vs predestination, 17th century New England, First Amendment Rights, Richard Bancroft, 19th-century New England, Divine Predestination, William Prynne, Antinomian Controversy, US 'Founding Fathers', Presbyterian Church History, Wall of Separation, Freedom of Religion and Religious Organization, Erastianism, Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Pat Robertson, Peter Laslett, Jerry L. Falwell, Antinomianism, John Milton, Samuel Richardson, New England Theology, Founding Myths, John Oldham, Established Churches, Reliigious Toleration, Perry Miller, Doctrine of Predestination, Jerry Falwell, John Cotton, Quaker Theology, Interregnum, Thomas Erastus, St. Paul and Politics/Philosophy, Servetus, Pope Gregory XIII, Roger Williams Theologian, Guillaume Farel, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, Glebe Estate, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, Heathen Importations In Christendom, Queen Mary I, John Milton and Theology, George Mason, Puritan Theology, Social Contract Theory by Thomas Hobbes, Increase Mather, John Eliot, Henry Stubbe, Pilgrims of Plymouth, Henry Vane, Exegesis of Book of Revelation, Veiled Women, Robert R Livingston Chancellor", Elizabethan Puritanism, Typology In Biblical Exegesis, New England Colonial History, Calvin and Anabaptist, Anabaptist Ethics, 17th Century Rhode Island, Robert Williams (Brother of Roger Williams), Seekerism, Parable of the Tares, American Founders, Royall Tyler, Calvin's Geneva, Double Predestination, History of Religious Toleration, Thomason Tracts, Decoding Roger Williams, A Sober Word to a Sober People by John Jackson, Henry Martyn Dexter, Brooks Adams, The Emancipation of Massachusetts by Brooks Adams, As to Roger Williams by Henry Martyn Dexter, Reverand Historians of the Theocracy, Narragansetts, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, John Clarke (1609-1676), Samuel Gorton (1592-1677), William Coddington (1601-1678), Key into the Language of America by Roger Williams, Christenings Make Not Christians by Roger Williams, Nathaniel Morton, Ill Newes from New-England (1652) by John Clarke, Humphrey Norton (17th-Century Quaker), Church and State should be separated. Theocracy, Mary Palmer Tyler, Elbridge Gerry, Robert Treat Paine, Richard Cranch, Free Exercise of Religion, Colonial Rhode Island, Virginia United States History, Plymouth Colony, U.S. Declaration of Independence, Predestination and Free Will, Isaac Backus, Separation of Religion and State, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), Fourteenth Amendment (incorporation), Providence Plantations, The Levellers, History of Relgion, Primitive Christianity, Hobbes Thomas, Samuel Adams, Toleration and Persec, John Leland, Damaris Masham, The Bloudy Tenent by Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent by Roger Williams, The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody by Roger Williams, The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody by Roger Williams, Providence (Rhode Island), The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Alan E. Johnson, Mr Cottons Letter . . . Examined by Roger Williams, Queries of Highest Consideration by Roger Williams, Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health by Roger Williams, The Fourth Paper, Presented by Major Butler by Roger Williams, The Hireling Ministry None of Christs by Roger Williams, The Examiner defended by Roger Williams, Ship of State letter by Roger Williams, George Fox Digg'd out of his Burrowes by Roger Williams, A Treatise of Civil power by John Milton, Abigail (Nabby) Adams, Abington School District v. Schempp, Agostini v. Felton, Canonicus, Miantonomi, Miantonomi, Pierre Ameaux, William Arnold (17th Century), Anthony Ashley Cooper, First Earl of Shaftesbury, Edward Bagshaw, Edward Bagshaw, Edward Bagshaw, Edward Bagshaw, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Robert Baillie, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, Jeremy Belknap, William Bradford (friend of James Madison), William Bradford (governor of Plymouth colony), Brandenburg v. Ohio, Cantwell v. Connecticut, Howard Millar Chapin, Richard Chasmore, Prudence Island, Patience Island, Narragansett Bay, "Christian nation", "Christian commonwealth", "Christian commonwealth", "Christian commonwealth", clear and present danger test (US Constitution), Cocumscussoc, Cocumscussoc, Cocumscussoc, Cocumscussoc, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coffey, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, John Coggeshall, Elijah Craig, Elijah Craig, Elijah Craig, Elijah Craig, Elijah Craig, Elijah Craig, Lewis Craig, John Crandall, Richard Cromwell, Thomas Cushing, Thomas Cushing, Danbury Baptist Association, Danbury Baptist Association, Danbury Baptist Association, Danbury Baptist Association, Danbury Baptist Association, Danbury Baptist Association, John Davenport, Gregory Dexter, Gregory Dexter, Dr. Bonham's Case (Sir Edward Coke), Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, Thomas Dudley, John Endecott, John Endecott, John Endecott, John Endecott, John Endecott, John Endicott, John Endicott, John Endicott, John Endicott, John Endicott, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, Engel v. Vitale, First Table (Ten Commandments), US Senator Theodore Foster, US Senator Theodore Foster, US Senator Theodore Foster, Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), Thomas Hopkins (17th Century), James D. Knowles, James D. Knowles, James D. Knowles, James D. Knowles, James D. Knowles, Carl Sandburg, Freemanship, Benjamin Furly, John Goodwin, John Goodwin, John Goodwin, Gortonists, Gortonists, Gortonists, Gortonists, Gortonists, Gortonists, Gortonists, Jacques Gruet, Massachusetts Bay Governor John Haynes, Francis Higginson, Francis Higginson, High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), High Commission (English history), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Randall Holden (17th Century), Holland (17th century toleration), Holland (17th century toleration), Holland (17th century toleration), Holland (17th century toleration), Ezekiel Holliman, William Hubbard, William Hutchinson (husband of Anne Hutchinson), William Hutchinson (husband of Anne Hutchinson), Congregationalists in America and England (17th-19th centuries), Congregationalists in America and England (17th-19th centuries), Seekers (religious), Seekers (religious), Seekers (religious), Seekers (religious), King Phillip (Metacom), Metacom (King Phillip), King Phillip's War, Pequots, Pequots, William Laud (Archbishop of Canterbury), Lee v. Weisman, Lee v. Weisman, Lee v. Weisman, Continental Congress (US), Confederation Congress (US), Richard Henry Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Mammoth Cheese and Thomas Jefferson, James Manning, Damaris Cudworth, William Masham, William Masham, Francis Masham, Otes (Oates) estate of 17th-century Masham family, Massasoit, Ousamaquin, Pokanokets, Pokanokets, Pokanokets, Pokanokets, Pokanokets, Pokanokets, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Wampanoags, Richard Mather, Richard Mather, Richard Mather, Richard Mather, Richard Mather, Richard Mather, William G. McLoughlin, William G. McLoughlin, William G. McLoughlin, William G. McLoughlin, William G. McLoughlin, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, William Lee Miller, Thomas Morton, New Haven (17th-century colony), New Haven (17th-century colony), New Haven (17th-century colony), Oaths (religious References In), Oaths (religious References In), Ordination and Apostolic Succession, Ordination and Apostolic Succession, Ordination and Apostolic Succession, Ordination and Apostolic Succession, Ordination and Apostolic Succession, Parish System, Parish System, Parish System, Parish System, Parish System, Parish System, Pawtuxet in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Shawomet (Warwick) in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Warwick (Shawomet) in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Israel Pemberton, Hugh Peter, Petition of Right (1628), Petition of Right (1628), Petition of Right (1628), Petition of Right (1628), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Racovian Catechism, Racovian Catechism, Racovian Catechism, Racovian Catechism, Racovian Catechism, David Ramsay, David Ramsay, David Ramsay, David Ramsay, David Ramsay, Edmund Randolph, Rehoboth, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Bereans (New Testament Reference), Bereans (New Testament Reference), Bereans (New Testament Reference), Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams University, Ann Sadleir (daughter of Sir Edward Coke), Schenck v. United States, Seekonk, Separatism (from Church of England), Separatism (from Church of England), Roger Sherman, Roger Sherman, Roger Sherman, Samuel Skelton, Samuel Skelton, Samuel Skelton, Samuel Skelton, Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, John Throckmorton, Thomason Collection, John Underhill (17th-Century Captain), John Underhill (17th-Century Captain), United Colonies of New England, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Jane Verin, Joshua Verin, Joshua Verin, Joshua Verin, Joshua Verin, Joshua Verin, Joshua Verin, Wamsutta (Alexander), Wamsutta (Alexander), Wamsutta (Alexander), Wamsutta (Alexander), Wamsutta (Alexander), Wamsutta (Alexander), Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Nathaniel Ward, Samuel Ward (Rhode Island Governor), Francis Wayland, Thomas Weld, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, John Wickliffe, John Wickliffe, John Wickliffe, Elisha Williams, Elisha Williams, Mary Barnard Williams (Wife of Roger Williams), Mary Barnard Williams (Wife of Roger Williams), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), John Winthrop Jr., A. S. P. Woodhouse, James Burgh, Roger Williams and John Locke, and Humble Proposals (1652) of the English Congregationalist MInisters
These errata and supplemental comments were prepared after my book "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" was in the publication process and too late for inclusion in the book itself. This updated document... more
These errata and supplemental comments were prepared after my book "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" was in the publication process and too late for inclusion in the book itself. This updated document includes corrections and supplemental comments to both the paperback (by page number) and Kindle ebook (by location number) as of June 5, 2020. Alan E. Johnson
Research Interests: Typology, Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Separation of Church and State, Cotton Mather, and 27 moreReligious Toleration, Rhode Island History, Roger Williams, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Biblical Theocracy, Thomas Clarkson, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, John Winthrop, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, John Locke's Political Philosophy, Wall of Separation, John Cotton, Roger Williams Theologian, Michael Shermer, Typology In Biblical Exegesis, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, Isaac Backus, Providence Plantations, John Leland, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Mr Cottons Letter . . . Examined by Roger Williams, George Fox Digg'd out of his Burrowes by Roger Williams, Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, James Burgh, Roger Williams and John Locke, and Ezra Stiles
The attached PDF contains the title page, copyright page, epigraphs, and table of contents for "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" by Alan E. Johnson (available in paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon... more
The attached PDF contains the title page, copyright page, epigraphs, and table of contents for "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" by Alan E. Johnson (available in paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon websites throughout the world). For additional information, see http://www.amazon.com/First-American-Founder-Williams-Conscience/dp/1511823712/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436397728&sr=1-1.
Research Interests: Native American Studies, First Amendment Law (USA), Thomas Jefferson, Freedom of Religion, Quaker Studies, and 166 moreThomas Hobbes, Native American, John Calvin, John Locke, John Milton, Algonquian languages, Separation of Church and State, History of Religious Freedom, Christianity and Nationalism, Native American Anthropology, Native American (History), Algonquian studies, Quakerism, John Adams, Socinianism, Oliver Cromwell, James Madison, Eve La Plante, Anne Hutchinson, Native American history, History of Plymouth, Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, Native Americans, The English Civil War and Revolution, Connecticut History, Quakers, Benjamin Franklin, Religious Liberty, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Oaths, English Civil War, Christendom, Algonquian, Native American Languages, Baptist Heritage, Aquidneck Island, Wampanoag History, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Colonial Massachusetts, Colonial Plymouth, Massachusetts History, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, John Owen, Pequot War, Salem, Massachusetts History, History of Religious Liberty, Levellers, The Establishment Clause, Edward Coke, Early Quakers, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, History of Quakerism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Seventeenth century Quakers, Separation of religion and government, Michael Servetus, A Letter Concerning Toleration, Religious Society of Friends Quakers, William Harris, Colonial Newport History, Antinomian Controversy, Wall of Separation, Erastianism, Established Churches, John Cotton, Quaker Theology, Servetus, Roger Williams Theologian, Heathen Importations In Christendom, Henry Stubbe, Pilgrims of Plymouth, Henry Vane, Royall Tyler, Calvin's Geneva, Decoding Roger Williams, J. Stanley Lemons, Brooks Adams, The Emancipation of Massachusetts by Brooks Adams, Reverand Historians of the Theocracy, Narragansetts, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, John Clarke (1609-1676), Samuel Gorton (1592-1677), William Coddington (1601-1678), Key into the Language of America by Roger Williams, Christenings Make Not Christians by Roger Williams, Simplicities Defence (1646) by Samuel Gorton, Hypocrasie Unmasked by Edward Winslow, Ill Newes from New-England (1652) by John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes (17th-Century American Baptist), Richard Cranch, Isaac Backus, Separation of Religion and State, Providence Plantations, The Levellers, First Amendment on Religious Freedom, John Leland, Parable of the Wheat and Tares, The Bloudy Tenent by Roger Williams, The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody by Roger Williams, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Alan E. Johnson, Mr Cottons Letter . . . Examined by Roger Williams, Queries of Highest Consideration by Roger Williams, Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health by Roger Williams, The Fourth Paper, Presented by Major Butler by Roger Williams, The Hireling Ministry None of Christs by Roger Williams, The Examiner defended by Roger Williams, Ship of State letter by Roger Williams, George Fox Digg'd out of his Burrowes by Roger Williams, A Treatise of Civil power by John Milton, Canonicus, Miantonomi, William Arnold (17th Century), Edward Bagshaw, Jeremy Belknap, William Bradford (friend of James Madison), William Bradford (governor of Plymouth colony), Richard Chasmore, Prudence Island, Narragansett Bay, "Christian nation", "Christian nation", "Christian nation", John Crandall, John Endecott, John Endicott, Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, James D. Knowles, William Hutchinson (husband of Anne Hutchinson), King Phillip (Metacom), Metacom (King Phillip), King Phillip's War, Pequots, Massasoit, Pokanokets, Wampanoags, New Haven (17th-century colony), Pawtuxet in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Shawomet (Warwick) in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Warwick (Shawomet) in 17th-Century Rhode Island History, Israel Pemberton, Portsmouth (17th-century Rhode Island history), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), David Ramsay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Oscar S. Straus (American diplomat and author), John Throckmorton, United Colonies of New England, Joshua Verin, Edward Winslow (Governor of Plymouth Colony), John Winthrop Jr., A. S. P. Woodhouse, Sir Edward Coke, Roger Williams and the town of Salem in Massachusetts Bay, Roger Williams and the town of Salem in Massachusetts Bay, Roger Williams and the town of Salem in Massachusetts Bay, Roger Williams and the town of Salem in Massachusetts Bay, Humble Proposals (1652) of the English Congregationalist MInisters, Humble Proposals (1652) of the English Congregationalist MInisters, and Humble Proposals (1652) of the English Congregationalist MInisters
This excerpt from Chapter 2 of "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" by Alan E. Johnson discusses the events leading up to and surrounding the trial and banishment of Roger Williams from the Colony of... more
This excerpt from Chapter 2 of "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" by Alan E. Johnson discusses the events leading up to and surrounding the trial and banishment of Roger Williams from the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1635-36. After spending that winter in the New England wilderness, succored only by his Native American friends, Williams went on to establish the new settlement of Providence (later in Rhode Island) based on liberty of conscience and separation of church and state.
Research Interests: Native American Studies, First Amendment Law (USA), Separation of Church and State, Native American (History), Roger Williams, and 31 moreNative Americans, First Amendment, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Oaths, Free Exercise Clause, Liberty of conscience, Colonial Massachusetts, Massachusetts History, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Separatism, Salem, Massachusetts History, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, History of the Church of England, John Cotton, Roger Williams Theologian, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, Free Exercise of Religion, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Alan E. Johnson, Thomas Dudley, John Endecott, John Endicott, First Table (Ten Commandments), Massachusetts Bay Governor John Haynes, and John Underhill (17th-Century Captain)
This is an excerpt from Chapter 9 ("Roger Williams and the Founding of the United States of America") of Alan E. Johnson's "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (Pittsburgh, PA: Philosophia Publications,... more
This is an excerpt from Chapter 9 ("Roger Williams and the Founding of the United States of America") of Alan E. Johnson's "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (Pittsburgh, PA: Philosophia Publications, 2015) (available in paperback and Kindle e-book at http://www.amazon.com/First-American-Founder-Williams-Conscience/dp/1511823712/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436397728&sr=1-1 and other Amazon websites throughout the world).
This excerpt examines the interaction of historical figures influenced by Roger Williams (especially Stephen Hopkins and Isaac Backus) with such late eighteenth-century US Founders as John Adams, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Thomas Cushing. This interaction occurred most notably in an October 14, 1774 evening meeting of some of the delegates to the First Continental Congress with Baptist and Quaker representatives at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. At this meeting, Stephen Hopkins (Revolutionary War pamphleteer, former Rhode Island governor, and friend of Benjamin Franklin), Baptist leader Isaac Backus, Quaker leader Israel Pemberton, and others confronted the Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress about that colony's continuing religious discrimination against and persecution of Baptists and Quakers. Massachusetts had imprisoned and whipped Baptists and executed Quakers in the name of the "true religion" during the seventeenth century. Although Massachusetts public officials no longer whipped and executed religious dissenters, eighteenth-century Massachusetts laws and governmental practices still discriminated against them.
Other portions of Chapter 9 (not included in this excerpt) address the direct or indirect influence of Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83) on such famous US Founders as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and on other important public figures of that generation such as Richard Cranch, Jeremy Belknap, David Ramsay, and Royall Tyler.
This excerpt examines the interaction of historical figures influenced by Roger Williams (especially Stephen Hopkins and Isaac Backus) with such late eighteenth-century US Founders as John Adams, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Thomas Cushing. This interaction occurred most notably in an October 14, 1774 evening meeting of some of the delegates to the First Continental Congress with Baptist and Quaker representatives at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. At this meeting, Stephen Hopkins (Revolutionary War pamphleteer, former Rhode Island governor, and friend of Benjamin Franklin), Baptist leader Isaac Backus, Quaker leader Israel Pemberton, and others confronted the Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress about that colony's continuing religious discrimination against and persecution of Baptists and Quakers. Massachusetts had imprisoned and whipped Baptists and executed Quakers in the name of the "true religion" during the seventeenth century. Although Massachusetts public officials no longer whipped and executed religious dissenters, eighteenth-century Massachusetts laws and governmental practices still discriminated against them.
Other portions of Chapter 9 (not included in this excerpt) address the direct or indirect influence of Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83) on such famous US Founders as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and on other important public figures of that generation such as Richard Cranch, Jeremy Belknap, David Ramsay, and Royall Tyler.
Research Interests: Thomas Jefferson, Quaker Studies, Separation of Church and State, Quakerism, John Adams, and 27 moreJames Madison, Roger Williams, Quakers, Benjamin Franklin, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Colonial Massachusetts, Massachusetts History, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, History of Quakerism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Seventeenth century Quakers, Robert Treat Paine, Isaac Backus, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Thomas Cushing, Danbury Baptist Association, Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, Continental Congress (US), James Manning, Israel Pemberton, Samuel Ward (Rhode Island Governor), and First Continental Congress (1774)
Thomas Jefferson was the principal architect of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, but the Second Continental Congress modified his draft. This essay discusses the famous first two sentences of the second paragraph of the Declaration:... more
Thomas Jefferson was the principal architect of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, but the Second Continental Congress modified his draft. This essay discusses the famous first two sentences of the second paragraph of the Declaration: how Jefferson’s draft of this language was changed, and what it means in light of John Locke and Abraham Lincoln.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Abraham Lincoln, Enlightenment, Thomas Jefferson, Equality, and 14 moreJohn Locke, Enlightenment Political Thought, Leo Strauss, European Enlightenment, Unitarianism, Max Weber, Philosophy of the Enlightenment, Natural Right, Declaration of Independence, Natural rights, Deism, The Fact/Value Distinction, John Locke's Political Philosophy, and 20th Century Political Philosophy (Leo Strauss
In this era of widespread irrationality and violence, it is clear that traditional methods of moral indoctrination are failing. This paper proposes a new approach to ethical instruction based on proper reasoning about both ends and means.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Ethics, Normative Ethics, Applied Ethics, Education, and 11 moreVirtue Ethics, Critical Thinking, Media Ethics, Practical Reasoning, Moral Philosophy, Moral Education, Aristotle's Ethics, Ethical decision making, Fallacies, Political Ethics, and Discourse surrounding Refugee and immigration policy, Post colonial theory, Deluzian ethics, Foucault's Bio Politics, and all or any contributions bringing light to the discourse surrounding modernity, sovereignty and citizenship
This essay discusses the charges against Socrates in 399 BCE and various interpretations of them.
Research Interests:
This is Appendix D (“Roger Williams and John Locke”) to my book “The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience” (2015). Appendix D explores in depth the historical and philosophical influences that Roger Williams’s... more
This is Appendix D (“Roger Williams and John Locke”) to my book “The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience” (2015). Appendix D explores in depth the historical and philosophical influences that Roger Williams’s seventeenth-century writings on freedom of conscience had on the evolution of John Locke’s views on toleration a generation later. It elaborates both the surprising historical connections between Williams and Locke and the fact that Locke’s famous “Letter Concerning Toleration” (1689–90) as well as some of his earlier unpublished writings adopt many of Williams’s ideas, sometimes almost verbatim.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, John Locke, Separation of Church and State, Liberalism and Toleration, Religious Toleration, and 10 moreRoger Williams, Toleration, Religious Liberty, Freedom of Conscience, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, John Locke's Political Philosophy, A Letter Concerning Toleration, Henry Stubbe, Henry Vane, and The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson
This is the Appendix (“Conflicts among the Claims to Revelation”) of my book “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022). This Appendix supplements the discussion of the question of religion as the basis for human ethics on pages 9–13 of the book.... more
This is the Appendix (“Conflicts among the Claims to Revelation”) of my book “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022). This Appendix supplements the discussion of the question of religion as the basis for human ethics on pages 9–13 of the book. Paperback and Kindle editions of the entire book are available at https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Human-Ethics-Alan-Johnson/dp/097010555X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=. A PDF replica of the paperback is also accessible, at no charge, at https://www.academia.edu/107899091/Reason_and_Human_Ethics_Pittsburgh_Philosophia_2022_. One disadvantage of the PDF is that it does not allow toggling back and forth between the endnote references in the text and the endnotes themselves. All endnotes are hyperlinked in the Kindle edition.
Research Interests: Religion, Christianity, Gnosticism, Hinduism, Ancient Egyptian Religion, and 14 morePhilosophy, Ethics, Normative Ethics, Applied Ethics, History of Religion, Zoroastrianism, Critical Thinking, Islam, Zoroastrianism (History), Judaism, Manichaeism, Mithraism, Reason, and Delphic Oracle and Divination
This essay is an excerpt from my book titled "Free Will and Human Life" (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=). It discusses Aristotle's approach to the question of... more
This essay is an excerpt from my book titled "Free Will and Human Life" (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=). It discusses Aristotle's approach to the question of free will.
Research Interests: Philosophy, Aristotle, Character Education, Free Will, Aristotle's Ethics, and 13 moreDeliberation, Habituation, Robert Kane, Principle of Non-Contradiction, Characteristics, Free will and determinism debate, Richard Sorabji, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Principle of Contradiction, Principle of Alternative Possibilities, principle of ultimate responsibility, and "up to us" in free will analysis
These excerpts from Alan E. Johnson, "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh, PA: Philosophia, 2021) critically evaluate the challenges to free will posed by the experiments and analyses of Benjamin Libet and Daniel Wegner.
Research Interests:
This essay is an excerpt from my book "Free Will and Human Life." It address the question of Kant’s views on free will—both individual free will and free will regarding political and historical developments.
Research Interests: Metaphysics, Political Philosophy, Kant, Kant-studies, Kant's Practical Philosophy, and 15 morePhilosophy of History, Metaphysics of Mind, Immanuel Kant, Free Will, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Kant's Political Philosophy, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Kant's Ethics, Kantian ethics, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Categorical Imperative, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, and Free Will and Determinism
The following excerpt from my book "Free Will and Human Life" addresses the question of René Descartes’s position on free will in light of the interpretive difficulties, including contradictions, in his writings on this subject.
Research Interests: Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, René Descartes, Free Will, Descartes, René, and 14 moreMetaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Leo Strauss, Descartes, Dualism, Reason and Revelation, Cartesian substance dualism, Free will and determinism debate, Antonio Damásio, Rene Descartes, Richard Kennington, Philosophy Between the Lines by Arthur M. Melzer, Persecution and the Art of Writing, Leo Strauss Persecution and the Art of Writing, and Natural Light (philosophy)
This excerpt from my book "Free Will and Human Life" addresses Christian arguments against free will. It discusses Augustine (later writings), Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Thomas Hobbes.
Research Interests:
This essay discusses Deism and Unitarianism as general doctrines and as followed by certain Founders of the United States of America.
Research Interests: Ethics, Enlightenment, Thomas Jefferson, Freedom of Religion, Trinity, and 74 moreJohn Calvin, Separation of Church and State, Heresy, Historical Jesus, History of Religious Freedom, Trinity (Theology), Unitarianism, Socinianism, Christian Heresies, Thomas Paine, Predestination, Arianism, Heresy and Orthodoxy, Doctrine of the Trinity, the Enlightenment, Historical Jesus Research, Benjamin Franklin, Deism and Freethought, Deism, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Thomas Paine and Early America, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, The doctrines of predestination and election, Jean Calvin, Free will vs predestination, theology of John Calvin, Benjamin Franklin; Philosophy, Doctrine of Predestination, The Doctrine of the Trinity, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, Philip Freneau, American Deism, Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen, Elihu Palmer, Church and State should be separated. Theocracy, Predestination and Free Will, Salvation by Works, Salvation by Faith, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, John Coffey, Kerry S. Walters, Kerry S. Walters, "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Jefferson Bible", "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts, United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts, United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts, United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts, and United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts
The present essay addresses some of the historical background to the Religion Clauses (Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause) of the First Amendment to the US Constitution. This discussion focuses on selected historical... more
The present essay addresses some of the historical background to the Religion Clauses (Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause) of the First Amendment to the US Constitution. This discussion focuses on selected historical developments, including some that are not well known. It does not attempt a complete analysis, which would require a book-length treatment.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law (USA), Thomas Jefferson, Judicial review, Separation of Church and State, and 35 moreConstitutional History, James Madison, Roger Williams, First Amendment, Church and State, Constitution, Religion Clauses, Free Exercise Clause, The Federalist, Patrick Henry, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Federalist Papers, Federalists, Baptist History, The Federalist Papers, Church and State Law, Bill of Rights, Anti-Federalists, Antifederalists, George Mason, Free Exercise of Religion, Isaac Backus, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), Fourteenth Amendment (incorporation), John Leland, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, US Constitutional Convention (1787), Ratification of US Constitution, Ratification of US Constitution, Ratification of US Constitution, Ratification of US Constitution, Ratification of US Constitution, Ratification of US Constitution, and Ratification of US Constitution
This paper is a basic description and selected bibliography (not exhaustive) of right libertarianism, Objectivism, anarchocapitalism, and paleolibertarianism. It was originally posted in 2019. August 28, 2024 note regarding the... more
This paper is a basic description and selected bibliography (not exhaustive) of right libertarianism, Objectivism, anarchocapitalism, and paleolibertarianism. It was originally posted in 2019.
August 28, 2024 note regarding the biographical information at the bottom of page 1: Since this paper was posted in 2019, I have written and published the following books: the second edition of “The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and Proposed Constitutional and Statutory Changes for Direct Popular Vote” (2021), “Free Will and Human Life” (2021), and “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022). I am currently working on my final book, "Reason and Human Government."
August 28, 2024 note regarding the biographical information at the bottom of page 1: Since this paper was posted in 2019, I have written and published the following books: the second edition of “The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and Proposed Constitutional and Statutory Changes for Direct Popular Vote” (2021), “Free Will and Human Life” (2021), and “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022). I am currently working on my final book, "Reason and Human Government."
Research Interests: Ayn Rand, Objectivism (Philosophy), Libertarianism, Robert Nozick, Murray Rothbard, and 14 moreTheocracy, Christian Reconstruction, Anarchocapitalism, David Conway, The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, The Virtue of Selfishness, Objectivism by Ayn Rand, Libertarian Party, Non-Aggression Principle, Christian Reconstructionism, Tibor Machan, paleolibertarianism, and Gary North and Paleolibertarianism
This outline was prepared for the May 16, 2019 meeting of Discussion Group 2 of the Pittsburgh Freethought Community. Its purpose is to cite and (where possible) link selected primary and secondary sources on freedom of conscience and... more
This outline was prepared for the May 16, 2019 meeting of Discussion Group 2 of the Pittsburgh Freethought Community. Its purpose is to cite and (where possible) link selected primary and secondary sources on freedom of conscience and church-state separation. The end of each section poses questions for the consideration of the reader.
Research Interests: Thomas Jefferson, Second Great Awakening, Separation of Church and State, James Madison, Roger Williams, and 11 moreChurch and State, Religious Right, Freedom of Conscience, Religious Freedom, The Establishment Clause, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Wall of Separation, Thomas Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, Memorial and Remonstrance (authored by James Madison), Town of Greece v. Galloway, and Masterpiece Cake, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
This essay was originally designed for a Nicomachean Ethics reading subgroup of the Goodreads.com online discussion group “Political Philosophy and Ethics” (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/137714-political-philosophy-and-ethics), of... more
This essay was originally designed for a Nicomachean Ethics reading subgroup of the Goodreads.com online discussion group “Political Philosophy and Ethics” (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/137714-political-philosophy-and-ethics), of which I am the founder and moderator. I revised the essay on July 16, 2018, in order to make it suitable for any reader interested in the Nicomachean Ethics. The present edit makes several changes to the format and style of the paper as well as some substantive revisions.
— Alan E. Johnson, February 16, 2022
— Alan E. Johnson, February 16, 2022
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Political Science, Political History, Moral Relativism, and 20 moreU.S. Constitution, James Madison, Moral Objectivism, Neoconservatism, The Federalist, Gerrymandering, Political Gerrymandering, US constitution, Electoral College, The Federalist Papers, U.S. Senate, Ratification of US Constitution, 2016 US Presidential Elections, U.S. Presidential Elections 2016, Partisan Gerrymandering, Federalist No. 10, Greg Weiner, 2000 U.S. presidential election, 2000 US presidential election, and positive government
This is my January 1971 Master's Essay for the Committee on General Studies in the Humanities of the University of Chicago. I have added a March 2, 2024 preface explaining the context and discussing a recent translation and interpretation... more
This is my January 1971 Master's Essay for the Committee on General Studies in the Humanities of the University of Chicago. I have added a March 2, 2024 preface explaining the context and discussing a recent translation and interpretation of Plato's letters. The 1971 essay addresses the form and content of Plato's Seventh Letter, the historical background of the Seventh Letter, the relationship of the Seventh Letter to other Platonic writings, and a comparison of Plato's thought to that of Herbert Marcuse, the philosophic father of the New Left.
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The 1960s were a turbulent time in American history. I wrote this essay, "Hippies and Pioneers," at one of the pivotal moments of that decade. A March 10, 2016 preface explains the historical context.
Research Interests: 1960s (U.S. history), Vietnam War, New Left, Marshall McLuhan, US Civil Rights Movement (1968-1973), and 14 moreNew Left and the 1960s, Counterculture, Irrationalism, Martin Luther King Jr., Alan Watts, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Cultural and Political Activism of the 1960s and 1970s, Hippie counterculture in the US, Timothy Leary, Hippies, Presidency of John F. Kennedy, assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and New Frontier of President John F. KennedyNew Frontier of President John F. Kennedy
This paper discusses the contributions of the science of neuroplasticity to the philosophical study of human nature with a focus on an essay by Norman Doidge, M.D. It was originally uploaded on March 4, 2016. A minor edit was made on... more
This paper discusses the contributions of the science of neuroplasticity to the philosophical study of human nature with a focus on an essay by Norman Doidge, M.D. It was originally uploaded on March 4, 2016. A minor edit was made on March 6, 2016.
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I wrote this paper for a college course in 1968. Upon rereading it almost fifty years later, I find that it well explains the controversy in the early nineteenth century regarding whether the United States of America should pursue the... more
I wrote this paper for a college course in 1968. Upon rereading it almost fifty years later, I find that it well explains the controversy in the early nineteenth century regarding whether the United States of America should pursue the path of becoming a commercial republic, including the issue of the role of virtue in a commercial republic. The essay considers the views of Montesquieu, Hume, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Jefferson, Hamilton, Tocqueville, and Thoreau. If I were to update it today, I might also include discussions of Hobbes and Locke.
This paper, which never was published, has been photocopied in its original typewritten format. Needless to say, that format long predated the age of word processing and personal computers. It was typed on an electric typewriter, which was considered high tech in its day. Additionally, the paper was written before feminism changed conventions such as the use of the pronoun "he" for both male and female persons. Within the following decade, I was working at a company in which part of my job was to change all such language in older textbooks into gender-neutral form. In 1968, it did not occur to me (and probably not to most other males) that the earlier verbal conventions could be considered offensive to anyone. Today, we know better.
The paper neglected to cite a bibliographical reference for the translated quotation from Rousseau on page 1. That source is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The First and Second Discourses, trans. Roger D. and Judith R. Masters, ed. Roger D. Masters (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1964), 34.
This paper, which never was published, has been photocopied in its original typewritten format. Needless to say, that format long predated the age of word processing and personal computers. It was typed on an electric typewriter, which was considered high tech in its day. Additionally, the paper was written before feminism changed conventions such as the use of the pronoun "he" for both male and female persons. Within the following decade, I was working at a company in which part of my job was to change all such language in older textbooks into gender-neutral form. In 1968, it did not occur to me (and probably not to most other males) that the earlier verbal conventions could be considered offensive to anyone. Today, we know better.
The paper neglected to cite a bibliographical reference for the translated quotation from Rousseau on page 1. That source is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The First and Second Discourses, trans. Roger D. and Judith R. Masters, ed. Roger D. Masters (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1964), 34.
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In recent decades the term "treason" has been bandied about as a political weapon by various media figures and their followers in the United States, including in bestselling book titles. These people allege that their political opponents... more
In recent decades the term "treason" has been bandied about as a political weapon by various media figures and their followers in the United States, including in bestselling book titles. These people allege that their political opponents are guilty of treason because they have allegedly departed from the views of the late eighteenth-century US Founders. Some firebrands have called for the prosecution and execution of such alleged traitors under the Treason Clause of the US Constitution. However, such opinionmakers fail to understand what the Founders meant when they formulated the Treason Clause of the US Constitution. While invoking the Founders, they are themselves ignorant of what the Founders actually said. The present essay provides a brief refresher course.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, Treason, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, The Federalist, and 12 moreJohn Marshall, History of Treason, The Federalist Papers, Aaron Burr, American Founders, US Constitutional Convention (1787), Treason Clause of US Constitution (Article III, Section 3), US Founders, The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 by Max Farrand, The Founders' Constitution by Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, John Marshall, US Chief Justice (1801-35), and United States v. Burr (1807)
This book defines liberalism in terms of the natural rights philosophy of John Locke and the U.S. founders. It traces the conflict between liberalism and antiliberalism throughout American history, culminating in the current MAGA takeover... more
This book defines liberalism in terms of the natural rights philosophy of John Locke and the U.S. founders. It traces the conflict between liberalism and antiliberalism throughout American history, culminating in the current MAGA takeover of the Republican Party.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Abraham Lincoln, Liberalism, Authoritarianism, Declaration of Independence, and 10 moreU.S. Constitution, Antiliberalism, Natural rights, Theocracy, Robert Kagan, John Locke's Political Philosophy, U.S. Bill of RIghts and Other Rights, Donald Trump, Illiberalism, and January 6, 2021 insurrection at U.S. Capitol
Anatolii Miroshnychenko’s book “Democracy: Beyond Majority Rule” (2024) argues that democratic majority rule is often irrational and that an alternative meritocratic remedy is appropriate. The present review evaluates these claims.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, Critical Thinking, Democracy, Direct Democracy, Libertarianism, and 15 moreAuthoritarianism, James Madison, People's Republic of China, U.S. constitutional law, Plato's Republic, Demagogy/demagoguery, Meritocracy, Theocracy, Epistocracy, Majority rule, Bryan Caplan, Donald Trump, Is Democracy Tyranny of the Majority, Jason Brennan, and Constitutional Law of Ukraine
The Philosopher Kingdom, modeled on Plato's Republic, accurately reflects much of the ethical philosophy of the Republic but misinterprets its political philosophy. The philosopher interlocutor in Jaqueisse's dialogue explicitly advocates... more
The Philosopher Kingdom, modeled on Plato's Republic, accurately reflects much of the ethical philosophy of the Republic but misinterprets its political philosophy. The philosopher interlocutor in Jaqueisse's dialogue explicitly advocates totalitarianism, arguing that people (other than philosophers) must be forced to be virtuous. The present review critically evaluates important questions of ethical and political philosophy raised in this work.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Plato, Utopian Studies, Totalitarianism, Socrates, and 15 moreChina, Democracy, Analogy (Philosophy), Leo Strauss, Aristotle's Ethics, Libertarianism, Confucius, Aristotle's Politics, Anarcho-capitalism, Parallelism, Plato's Republic, Ethical philosophy, Anarchocapitalism, Category Mistakes, and Plato's Seventh Letter
This book documents the transformation of the U.S. Democratic Party from a worker-centered New Deal perspective to a neoliberal finance focus, starting in the late 1970s with a belief that the Democratic Party must become more like... more
This book documents the transformation of the U.S. Democratic Party from a worker-centered New Deal perspective to a neoliberal finance focus, starting in the late 1970s with a belief that the Democratic Party must become more like Republican Party, through the trade deals and financial deregulation of the 1990s, to the resulting 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, and concluding with the desertion of blue collar workers from the Democratic Party to the Trumpian MAGA movement. The three biographical subjects of this study helped reverse this development, culminating in President Joe Biden's implementation of progressive solutions to the economic dislocations caused by the Covid pandemic.
Research Interests: Finance, Economic History, Economics, Macroeconomics, Banking, and 15 moreWTO Trade Topics, Neoliberalism, Financial Crisis of 2008/2009, Free Trade, Magazines, Democratic Party, NAFTA, Great Recession, Deregulation, President Bill Clinton, USA democratic party, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren
Robert M. Sapolsky's book "Determined" argues for hard determinism, i.e., that "we are nothing more or less than the sum of that which we could not control--our biology, our environments, their interactions." The present review shows,... more
Robert M. Sapolsky's book "Determined" argues for hard determinism, i.e., that "we are nothing more or less than the sum of that which we could not control--our biology, our environments, their interactions." The present review shows, inter alia, that Sapolsky's book does not prove his thesis and that there are scientific and philosophical grounds for some kind of free will.
Research Interests: Criminal Justice, Political Philosophy, Free Will, Legal Philosophy, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, and 12 moreInformal Logic, Fallacies, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Benjamin Libet, Free will and determinism debate, Retribution, Free Will and Determinism, Robert Sapolsky, Free Will and Determinsim, Reductio Ad Absurdum, and Neuroscience of free will
Neurogeneticist Kevin J. Mitchell’s book explains how free will evolved with biological evolution; it also refutes the various theories of determinism.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, William James, Quantum Mechanics, and 15 moreConsciousness, Evolution of Consciousness, Free Will, Henry Stapp, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Reductionism, Natural Selection, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Terrence Deacon, Stuart Kauffman, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Free Will and Determinism, and Peter Ulric Tse
Churchill's six-volume work on "The Second World War" is a masterpiece of historical writing, explaining, among other things, the reasons for his political and military decision-making as prime minister during that war.
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This is Gary Herstein’s review of my book “Free Will and Human Life” (2021), as it will appear in volume 10 (2023) of The Independent Scholar, a peer-reviewed journal of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars. The review starts on... more
This is Gary Herstein’s review of my book “Free Will and Human Life” (2021), as it will appear in volume 10 (2023) of The Independent Scholar, a peer-reviewed journal of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars. The review starts on the fourth PDF page.
Note: The review appears to assume that I am a professor or other teacher, which is not accurate. I am an independent philosopher, historian, political scientist, and legal scholar, who has, to date, written and published four books in these areas since retiring from law practice in 2012. “Free Will and Human Life” is the first book of my philosophical trilogy. The second book is “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022), and the third is “Reason and Human Government” (forthcoming).
Alan E. Johnson
Note: The review appears to assume that I am a professor or other teacher, which is not accurate. I am an independent philosopher, historian, political scientist, and legal scholar, who has, to date, written and published four books in these areas since retiring from law practice in 2012. “Free Will and Human Life” is the first book of my philosophical trilogy. The second book is “Reason and Human Ethics” (2022), and the third is “Reason and Human Government” (forthcoming).
Alan E. Johnson
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Complexity Theory, Chaos Theory, Thomas Hobbes, Augustine, and 15 moreFree Will, Henry Stapp, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Predestination, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Paul's letters, Ilya Prigogine, theological predeterminism, and Peter Ulric Tse
Jason Brennan's "Against Democracy" proposes a replacement of democracy (universal, equal suffrage) with epistocracy (limitations to suffrage on the basis of knowledge and competence). Although historical evidence shows that many voters... more
Jason Brennan's "Against Democracy" proposes a replacement of democracy (universal, equal suffrage) with epistocracy (limitations to suffrage on the basis of knowledge and competence). Although historical evidence shows that many voters are irrational and ignorant, Brennan's conclusory diagnosis and prescription are based on insufficient explanations of frequently cited statistical studies, and his various statements reveal a predilection for economic libertarianism. Moreover, his solution, like that in Plato's "Republic", will never come to pass. I outline an alternative that does not tinker with voting rights.
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This is an excellent book that should be read by every American. It shows how a devotion to the common good generally characterized American political, cultural, and economic life until the ideological revolution from the 1970s to the... more
This is an excellent book that should be read by every American. It shows how a devotion to the common good generally characterized American political, cultural, and economic life until the ideological revolution from the 1970s to the present substituted a concept of “doing whatever it takes to win” over the common good.
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Research Interests: Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Ethics, Epistemology, Political Theory, and 15 morePostmodernism, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Relativism, Nihilism, Richard Rorty, Immanuel Kant, Ayn Rand, Objectivism (Philosophy), Jean-François Lyotard, Postmodern, Moral Relativism, Ethical relativism, History of Philosophy, and Subjectivism and Objectivism
Steven Pinker, like Hume and many other moderns, claims that reason can be applied only to means, not ends (except when ends are conflicting). This review argues that reason should be applied to both ends and means and explains the... more
Steven Pinker, like Hume and many other moderns, claims that reason can be applied only to means, not ends (except when ends are conflicting). This review argues that reason should be applied to both ends and means and explains the philosophical basis for this conclusion.
Research Interests: Ethics, Aristotle, Critical Thinking, Ethical Theory, Practical Reasoning, and 11 moreDavid Hume, Nicomachean Ethics, Informal Logic, Ethical decision making, Logic and Critical Thinking, Rationality, Moral Reasoning, History of Informal Logic, Formal Logic, Steven Pinker, and Theories of Rationality
This review discusses Kant's famous work in light of post-Kantian developments in physics and biology. See also the section on Kant in Chapter 2 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 60-63... more
This review discusses Kant's famous work in light of post-Kantian developments in physics and biology.
See also the section on Kant in Chapter 2 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 60-63 (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
See also the section on Kant in Chapter 2 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 60-63 (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Quantum Physics, Kant, Kant's Practical Philosophy, Immanuel Kant, Free Will, and 10 moreMetaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Leo Strauss, Charles Darwin, Classical Physics, Kant and Critique of Pure Reason, Free will and determinism debate, W. R. Klemm, Professor of Neuroscience, Henry P. Stapp, Peter Ulric Tse, and William R. Klemm
Erich Fromm's book "Escape from Freedom," written when Hitler was conquering continental Europe, is relevant today as an analysis of the authoritarian personalities of both leaders and followers of certain kinds of mass movements.
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In contrast to classical mechanics, which is based on physical (pre)determinism and a belief that free will is illusory, quantum physicist Henry Stapp's argument for free will rests on the premise that alternative possibilities are, on... more
In contrast to classical mechanics, which is based on physical (pre)determinism and a belief that free will is illusory, quantum physicist Henry Stapp's argument for free will rests on the premise that alternative possibilities are, on the basis of quantum theory and the biological mechanism of ion channels in the brain, an ontological reality. See also the section on Henry Stapp in Chapter 2 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 74-77 (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Quantum Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Consciousness, Free Will, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, and 7 moreClassical Physics, Phenomenal Consciousness, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Free Will and Determinism, Physics Classical Mechanics, and Henry P. Stapp
Ted Honderich, a British philosophy professor, is the leading proponent in our time of the doctrine known as determinism (more accurately called “predeterminism”). His most elaborate treatment of this issue was in his 1988 tome, "A Theory... more
Ted Honderich, a British philosophy professor, is the leading proponent in our time of the doctrine known as determinism (more accurately called “predeterminism”). His most elaborate treatment of this issue was in his 1988 tome, "A Theory of Determinism: The Mind, Neuroscience, and Life" (Oxford University Press). But, as he explains in the second edition (2002) of his book "How Free Are You?: The Determinism Problem," “I’ve had some second thoughts,” and this second edition “goes further than its large predecessor and also than the first edition of itself.” Accordingly, the present review focuses on this second edition of "How Free Are You?" See also the section on Honderich in Chapter 1 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 20-24 (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Quantum Physics, Free Will, Moral Responsibility, Quantum Mechanics, Free Will, Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics, and 14 morePhilosophy of Punishment, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Free will and determinism debate, Ted Honderich, Retribution, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Free Will and Determinism, Determinism--Free Will, Free Will and Determinsim, The Problem of Free Will and Determinism, and Predeterminism
This is a review of neuroscientist Peter Ulric Tse’s book “The Neural Basis of Free Will: Criterial Causation” (2013) and his later book chapter “Two Types of Libertarian Free Will Are Realized in the Human Brain” (2018). See also the... more
This is a review of neuroscientist Peter Ulric Tse’s book “The Neural Basis of Free Will: Criterial Causation” (2013) and his later book chapter “Two Types of Libertarian Free Will Are Realized in the Human Brain” (2018). See also the section on Tse in Chapter 2 of my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021), 68-73 (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Physicalism, Free Will, and 13 moreMonism, Reductionism, Eliminative materialism, Indeterminacy, Determinism, Epiphenomenalism, Mind/body Problem, Determinism Vs. Indeterminism, Mind-body problem, Free will and determinism debate, Indeterminism, Causal determinism, and Ontological Indeterminism
In this book, neuroscientist W. R. Klemm sets forth a purely scientific theory supporting the concept of free will and refutes the physics-based predeterminism so popular in our time. See also the discussions of and citations to Klemm's... more
In this book, neuroscientist W. R. Klemm sets forth a purely scientific theory supporting the concept of free will and refutes the physics-based predeterminism so popular in our time. See also the discussions of and citations to Klemm's works in my book "Free Will and Human Life" (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Free Will, Freewill and Determinism, and 11 morePhilosophy of Mind (the hard problem of consciousness), Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Free Will and Determinism, Determinism--Free Will, Free Will Defense, The Problem of Free Will and Determinism, Freedom of the will, Causal determinism, and W. R. Klemm, Professor of Neuroscience
Joseph Cropsey's book is an in-depth analysis of Adam Smith's "Theory of Moral Sentiments" and "Wealth of Nations" in the context of the overall history of political philosophy. Cropsey demonstrates, among other things, that Smith, like... more
Joseph Cropsey's book is an in-depth analysis of Adam Smith's "Theory of Moral Sentiments" and "Wealth of Nations" in the context of the overall history of political philosophy. Cropsey demonstrates, among other things, that Smith, like his friend Hume, grounded ethics in the human passions rather than in human reason. This review, originally posted in 2018, is supplemented by additional thoughts on May 21, 2023.
Research Interests: History of Capitalism, Capitalism, Intellectual History of Capitalism, Free Will, Adam Smith, and 11 moreClassical Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Nature, Leo Strauss, Modern Political Philosophy, Nature, Moral and Political Philosophy, Adam Smith the Wealth of Nations, Free will and determinism debate, Theory of Moral Sentiment, Polity and Economy, and Joseph Cropsey
Adrian Bejan, the author of this book and a professor of mechanical engineering, invented what he calls the "constructal law," which he defines as follows: “For a flow system to persist in time (to live) it must evolve freely such that... more
Adrian Bejan, the author of this book and a professor of mechanical engineering, invented what he calls the "constructal law," which he defines as follows: “For a flow system to persist in time (to live) it must evolve freely such that it provides greater access to its currents.” Chapter 8 explicitly applies this physics concept to political matters, and Bejan also claims it is relevant to ethics. The present review argues, among other things, that the application of the constructal law to ethical and political matters is a faulty analogy.
Research Interests: Physics, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, and 15 morePolitical Science, Inductive Reasoning, Constructal law of design in nature, Analogy (Philosophy), Reductionism, John Stuart Mill, Fallacies, James Madison, Constructal Theory, Human nature, Social Darwinism, Analogy, Federalist Papers, The Federalist Papers, and Constructal Law
This review discusses Rousseau's concepts of social contract and general will in his work "The Social Contract" and contrasts those views with the constitutional principles of representation and individual rights found in the United... more
This review discusses Rousseau's concepts of social contract and general will in his work "The Social Contract" and contrasts those views with the constitutional principles of representation and individual rights found in the United States and other democratic republics.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Social Contract Theory, Political Science, French Revolution, Totalitarianism, and 29 moreRousseau, John Calvin, Russian Revolution, Separation of Church and State, Civil Religion, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Constitutionalism, Jean Jaques Rousseau, The Third Reich, James Madison, Third Reich, Roger Williams, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Bolshevism, The French Revolution, General Will, Majority rule, The Federalist Papers, Individual Rights, History of Individual Rights, History of Geneva, Bolsheviks and Terror, Bolshevik Revolution, The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, Federalist No. 10, "The Social Contract" by Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Theocracy in 17th-Century Geneva
Daniel C. Dennett is a self-acknowledged "compatibilist"—one who takes a middle road between the "hard determinists" and the advocates of free will. How Dennett can take such a position without violating the principle of... more
Daniel C. Dennett is a self-acknowledged "compatibilist"—one who takes a middle road between the "hard determinists" and the advocates of free will. How Dennett can take such a position without violating the principle of (non)contradiction is the central mystery of this book. See also the discussion of Dennett in my book "Free Will and Human Life" (Pittsburgh: Philosophia, 2021) (https://www.amazon.com/Free-Will-Human-Life-Johnson/dp/0970105533/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=).
Research Interests: Ethics, Free Will, Moral Responsibility, Free Will, Daniel Dennett, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, and 13 moreFree Will and Moral Responsibility, Free Will and Incompatibilism, Autonomy and Free Will in Philosophy, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Free Will and Determinism, Determinism--Free Will, Free Will Defense, Free Will and Determinsim, Libertarian Free Will, The Problem of Free Will and Determinism, and "Freedom Evolves" by Daniel C. Dennett
Research Interests: Science Education, History of Science, Critical Thinking, Inductive Reasoning, Postmodernism, and 15 moreEvolution, Scientific Literacy, Argumentation Theory and Critical Thinking, Scientific method & Education, Religious Fundamentalism, Religious Right, Scientific Method, Theocracy, Puritanism, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, John Winthrop Jr., War on Science, and Shawn Lawrence Otto
In this book, Timothy Snyder (Professor of History at Yale University) shows how the rhetoric of US President Donald J. Trump channels the propaganda of the infamous dictators of the twentieth century. Snyder is an expert on... more
In this book, Timothy Snyder (Professor of History at Yale University) shows how the rhetoric of US President Donald J. Trump channels the propaganda of the infamous dictators of the twentieth century. Snyder is an expert on twentieth-century totalitarianism and has written several scholarly books about that subject.
Research Interests: Propaganda, Critical Thinking, Fascism, Totalitarianism, Authoritarian Personality, and 48 moreCommunism, Soviet Union (History), History Of Propaganda, Stalin and Stalinism, Authoritarianism, Authoritarian regimes, Authoritarian Ultra-Nationalism, Nazi Germany, Magical thinking and magical beliefs in Western cultures, History of Communism, Nazism, Adolf Hitler, Right-wing authoritarianism, Critical Thinking Skills, Nazi Propaganda, Principle of Non-Contradiction, Vladimir Putin, Law of Non-Contradiction, FOX News, Hitler, History of Soviet propaganda, Stalin, Victor Klemperer, Right-Wing-Authoritarianism, Pussy Riot, The Role of Fallacious Reasoning in Irrational Action, Magical Thinking, Popular Opinion In Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, History of Totalitarianism, Rise of Hitler, Totalitarian regimes, Soviet Propaganda, Fallacious Reasoning and Persuasion, Criticism of Fallacious Reasoning, Fallacious Reasoning Argumentation and Persuasion, Communist Propaganda, Fake News, Totalitarian States, Rise to Power of Hitler, Masha Gessen, Donald Trump, Putinism, Timothy Snyder, Donald John Trump, Donald J. Trump, the Donald John Trump Syndrome, trumpism, and dangers of Donald Trump
Research Interests: Political Economy, Political Theory, Conservatism, Unemployment, Capitalism, and 19 moreIndustrial Automation, Demand Analysis, Employment, Libertarianism, Hayek, Automation, Automation and robotics in Construction, Friedrich Hayek, Progressivism, Robert Reich, American Progressivism, Role of the Government in the Domestic Economy and Financial System, Friederich A. Hayek, Fredricke Von Hayek, F.A. Hayek, Friedrich August von Hayek, Countervailing powers, Unemployment and Technology, and Saving Capitalism by Robert B. Reich
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience, Ethics, Ethical Theory, Sociology of Ethics and Morality, and 13 moreBertrand Russell, Ethics and Religion, Moral Philosophy, David Hume, Blaise Pascal, Morality, Pascal, Reason, Richard Dawkins, Philosophy of Religion, Moral Philosophy, David Hume, Sam Harris, Steven Pinker, and Stephen Toulmin
Research Interests: Religion, Greek History, Homer, Plato, History of Religion, and 18 moreAthenian Democracy, History of Religions, Ancient Religion, Ancient Greek Religion, Rationalism, Ancient myth and religion, Greek Myth, Ancient Greek History, Ancient Greek Philosophy, Leo Strauss, Irrationalism, Irrationality, Irrational Beliefs, Ancient Athens, Catherine Zuckert, Straussians, Eric Robertson Dodds, and Joseph Cropsey
Research Interests: Federalism, Thomas Jefferson, Montesquieu, Jeffersonian Antifederalism, James Madison, and 17 moreU.S. constitutional law, Classical Republicanism, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, US constitution, Federalist Papers, Charles-Louis de Secondat Montesquieu, Marbury v. Madison, The Federalist Papers, Bill of Rights, Anti-Federalists, Antifederalists, Classical Republican Tradition, Federalists, Montesquieu, Ratification of US Constitution, Letters of "Brutus" (Antifederalist essays), and John Marshall, US Chief Justice (1801-35)
Research Interests: Freedom of Religion, Baptism, John Calvin, Separation of Church and State, Heresy, and 15 moreHistory of Religious Freedom, Heresy and Inquisition, Unitarianism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Heresy and Religious Dissent, Michael Servetus, History of Geneva, Heresy and Blasphemy, and Servetus
Research Interests: Industrial And Labor Relations, Collective Bargaining (Industrial And Labor Relations), Labor Economics, City and Suburban Integration, Suburban Studies, and 21 moreLocal History, Liberalism, Conservatism, Local Government, Local Economic Development, Local Government and Local Development, 1950s (U.S. history), Labor law, Labor unions, Suburban History, Suburbanization, Local and regional history, History of Conservatism, Local governance, Local/Municipal government, Milwaukee history, USA of the 1950s, 1950s / Fifties Culture, Frank Zeidler (Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1948-60), Tula Connell, and Municipal annexation of suburban communities
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Research Interests: Slavery, American Civil War, Labor History and Studies, Labor law, Classical Liberalism, and 19 moreIndustrialization, Reconstruction, Ku Klux Klan, C B Macpherson, Crony Capitalism, Classical Liberal Thought, Fourteenth Amendment, The Paris Commune, Eric Foner, Possessive Individualism, Fifteenth Amendment, Red Scare, Paris Commune of 1871, Thirteenth Amendment, Radical Republicans (US Civil War Era), Radical Reconstruction (US Civil War Era), US Republican Party (19th Century), US President Ulysses S. Grant, and Panic of 1873
Research Interests: History, Political Philosophy, Ethics, Free Will, Moral Responsibility, Philosophy of Science, and 30 moreQuantitative Methods (Political Science), Property Rights, History of Science, Enlightenment, Thomas Jefferson, Quantitative Methods, Quantitative methodology, John Locke, Free Will, Leo Strauss, Libertarianism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Classical Liberalism, Ethics and economics, Scientific methodology, Roger Williams, Free will and determinism debate, Scientific Method, The Fact/Value Distinction, Neurology, Cognition, Free Will, Classical Liberal Thought, Free Will and Determinism, C.b. Macpherson, The Problem of Free Will and Determinism, Conscious Capitalism, Pursuit of Happiness, Michael Shermer, Classical Liberal Political Philosophy, Reason and Science, and The Moral Arc by Michael Shermer
Research Interests: Calvinism, Freedom of Religion, Separation of Church and State, Heresy, History of Religious Freedom, and 22 moreMartin Luther, Christian Heresies, Predestination, Lutheran Theology, Roger Williams, Protestant Reformation, Sir Thomas More, Historical Theology of the Catholic and Protestant Reformations, Justification by Faith, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Sola Scriptura, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Early Modern Lutheran history, Separation of religion and government, Thomas More, Free will vs predestination, Doctrine of Predestination, and Predestination and Free Will
Research Interests:
The primary thesis of Arthur M. Melzer's Philosophy Between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing is that "prior to the nineteenth century, all philosophers, in one degree or another, adjusted the presentation of their thought... more
The primary thesis of Arthur M. Melzer's Philosophy Between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing is that "prior to the nineteenth century, all philosophers, in one degree or another, adjusted the presentation of their thought to the particular conventions prevailing in their time and place" (page 346)—in other words, that they wrote in an esoteric manner. The ancient and medieval philosophers had, according to Melzer, three reasons for such esotericism: (1) defensive esotericism (to protect the philosopher from the rage of the multitude, especially in religious matters), (2) protective esotericism (to shield ordinary people from radical ideas that challenge the ingrained prejudices of traditional political societies), and (3) pedagogic esotericism (to provide a proper method for educating future philosophers). Enlightenment philosophers added what the author calls "political esotericism" (an attempt to gradually make the populace more rational, albeit with some temporary accommodation to defensive esotericism); they also opposed the whole enterprise of protective esotericism. Furthermore, pedagogic esotericism has, according to Melzer, largely given way, during the last two centuries, to new styles of collective scholarship.
It must be acknowledged that Melzer proves his thesis that the major philosophers practiced esoteric writing before 1800. His book also contains many other explicit and implicit arguments and observations. Some of these are quite illuminating. Others are, to my mind, incorrect or questionable.
It must be acknowledged that Melzer proves his thesis that the major philosophers practiced esoteric writing before 1800. His book also contains many other explicit and implicit arguments and observations. Some of these are quite illuminating. Others are, to my mind, incorrect or questionable.
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Enlightenment, Thomas Jefferson, Intellectual History of Enlightenment, Separation of Church and State, and 29 moreWestern Esotericism (History), Leo Strauss, Philosophy of the Enlightenment, Esotericism, Western Esotericism, James Madison, Esoteric Philosophy, Polis, Pierre Bayle, English Civil War Literature, Roger Williams, The English Civil War and Revolution, Liberty Freedom Coercion Religion Law, Religious Right, Religious Liberty, Secular State, English Civil War, Esoteric Studies, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Levellers, Erastianism, Traditional Political Structures, The Levellers, Arthur M. Melzer, Straussians, and Philosophy Between the Lines by Arthur M. Melzer
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Philosophy, Ontology, Epistemology, Marxism, and 61 morePlato, Aristotle, Historicism, Totalitarianism, Socrates, Postmodernism, Baruch Spinoza, Ayn Rand, Failed States, Lenin, Plato's Virtue Ethics, Xenophon, Libertarianism, Stalin and Stalinism, Tea Party, Plato's Timaeus, Presentism, Plato's Parmenides, Maoism, James Madison, Plato's Laws, Plato's Statesman, Scientism, Apology of Socrates, Anarcho-capitalism, Mao Zedong, Googleplex, Plato's Republic, Lawrence Krauss, Plato's Protagoras, Platonic dialogues, Anachronism, Plato's Critias, Plato's discussion on knowledge in the Theaetetus, Plato's Gorgias, Plato's Meno, Plato's Menexenus, Plato's Apology of Socrates, Plato's Cratylus, Murray Rothbard, Plato's Political Philosophy, The Tea Party Movement, Divided Line, Plato's Phaedrus, Plato's cave, Thrasymachus, Plato's Symposium, Bart D. Ehrman, Plato's Sophist, Plato's Phaedo, Representations of Socrates, Xenophon's Socratic Writings, Socratic Irony, Plato's Philebus, Plato's Theory of the Forms, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Triumphalism, Plato's Seventh Letter, Principle of Noninitiation of Force, Platonic Dialectic, and Plato and Mathematics
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Russian Politics, Russian Orthodox Church, Thomas Hobbes, and 21 morePost-Soviet Studies, John Calvin, Dictatorships, Separation of Church and State, Soviet, post-Soviet, Russian politics, Constitutionalism, Tea Party, Russia, History of Communism; Soviet; Post-Soviet; Russia; Eastern Europe, Roger Williams, Church and State, Political Philosophy, Thomas Hobbes, Vladimir Putin, Criminal Justice System, Liberty of conscience, Procedural due process, Theocracy, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Pussy Riot, Rule of Law and Constitutionalism, and Erastianism
In Moore v. Harper, 600 U.S. _ (June 27, 2023), the United States Supreme Court rejected the “independent state legislature” theory advanced by many conservatives. It was a 6-3 decision, but the justices in the majority consisted of both... more
In Moore v. Harper, 600 U.S. _ (June 27, 2023), the United States Supreme Court rejected the “independent state legislature” theory advanced by many conservatives. It was a 6-3 decision, but the justices in the majority consisted of both “liberals” and “conservatives.” This may be the most important decision of the Court’s 2022–23 term.
Research Interests:
In December 2022, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed into law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (often referred to in the media as the Omnibus Spending Act). This act consists of forty divisions. Title I of... more
In December 2022, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed into law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (often referred to in the media as the Omnibus Spending Act). This act consists of forty divisions. Title I of division P of this legislation is called the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA). The ECRA was designed to prevent, in the future, the kind of unprecedented chaos and violence that caused the January 6, 2021 joint session of Congress to postpone its constitutionally mandated duty of counting the electoral votes in the 2020 election. This legislation also helps counteract frivolous election litigation and attempted power grabs such as the unsuccessful attempts by former president Donald J. Trump and his allies to obstruct the lawful transfer of power to the duly elected president, Joe Biden. The present essay compares the amendments set forth in the ECRA with the statutory text that they modified or replaced.
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In "Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Original Review," law professor Erwin Chemerinksy effectively argues, inter alia, that originalism is epistemologically impossible, that originalist theorists and jurists do not apply their... more
In "Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Original Review," law professor Erwin Chemerinksy effectively argues, inter alia, that originalism is epistemologically impossible, that originalist theorists and jurists do not apply their "original meaning" analysis in a consistent manner, and that, contrary to popular belief, living constitutionalism is not standardless.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, American Legal and Constitutional History, Judicial Precedent, Constitutional Theory, Originalism, and 11 moreConstitutional History, Living Constitution, Brown vs. Board of Education, Constituionalism and Constitutional Law, Stare decisis, Constitutional Interpretation, Constitutional Law Theory, Roe Vs. Wade, Obergefell vs. Hodges, Griswold v. Connecticut, and Dobbs v. Jackson
On June 23, 2022, the new conservative majority on the US Supreme Court continued its resurrection and application of originalist historicism in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. This essay is a summary and analysis of... more
On June 23, 2022, the new conservative majority on the US Supreme Court continued its resurrection and application of originalist historicism in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. This essay is a summary and analysis of the Bruen decision.
Research Interests:
The revolutionary Opinion of the Court in the Dobbs case explicitly overruled Roe and Casey. That majority opinion, along with Judge Thomas's concurring opinion, may also signal the beginning of the end for the Supreme Court's invocation... more
The revolutionary Opinion of the Court in the Dobbs case explicitly overruled Roe and Casey. That majority opinion, along with Judge Thomas's concurring opinion, may also signal the beginning of the end for the Supreme Court's invocation of substantive due process to secure unenumerated constitutional rights.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, Constitutional Theory, Originalism, Abortion, Fundamental Rights, and 14 moreLiving Constitution, Right to privacy, Abortion legislation, Constitutional Rights, Fourteenth Amendment, History of Contraception and Abortion, Substantive Due Process, Legal Textualism, John Marshall, US Chief Justice (1801-35), Justice Clarence Thomas, Griswold v. Connecticut, Ninth Amendment, Justice Samuel Alito, and Dobbs v. Jackson
Justice Alito and the four justices who joined in his Opinion of the Court in this case held that the Bladensburg Peace Cross does not violate the Establishment Clause. Among other things, they argued—against two millennia of religious... more
Justice Alito and the four justices who joined in his Opinion of the Court in this case held that the Bladensburg Peace Cross does not violate the Establishment Clause. Among other things, they argued—against two millennia of religious history—that the Cross had and/or has a secular meaning. Justice Ginsburg, in dissent, eviscerated the majority's unhistorical notion that a Latin cross such as the Bladensburg Cross could ever be understood to be a common, secular symbol: such a view insults not only non-Christians but also devout Christians, who for almost 2,000 years have considered the cross to be a holy symbol of their faith.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law (USA), Separation of Church and State, Separation of religion and government, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), and 6 moreFourteenth Amendment (incorporation), Justice Clarence Thomas, Bladensburg Cross Case, American Legion v. American Humanist Ass'n (U.S. Supreme Court, 6/20/2019), Justice Samuel Alito, and Justice Ruth Ginsburg
In this decision the U.S. Supreme Court held that a baker's rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (as applied to state government by the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause) were... more
In this decision the U.S. Supreme Court held that a baker's rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (as applied to state government by the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause) were violated by official disrespect shown to his religious views during Colorado administrative proceedings instituted by a same-sex couple who alleged violation of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) when the baker refused to make a cake for a celebration of their same-sex wedding. The present essay discusses the rationale of the Opinion of the Court, the concurring and dissenting opinions, and the prospects for future Supreme Court engagement with such issues.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law (USA), Sexual Orientation & the Law, Judicial independence, Rule of Law, and 18 moreSame-sex marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Separation of Powers, Discrimination and Sexual Orientation, Free Exercise Clause, Expressive Speech, The Free Exercise Clause, The Rule of Law, Rule of Law and Constitutionalism, 2018, Public Accommodations, First Amendment on Religious Freedom, Free Speech Clause, disparate treatment, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, U.S. Supreme Court decision, and June 4
This case involved the extraterritorial effect of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968. RICO has both criminal and civil provisions. Although Justice Alito's Opinion of the Court... more
This case involved the extraterritorial effect of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968. RICO has both criminal and civil provisions. Although Justice Alito's Opinion of the Court addressed legal issues that appear to apply to both criminal and civil proceedings, the specific holding in this case (Part IV and the judgment) was limited to civil actions brought under RICO.
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This 2014 essay discussed the issue of same-sex marriage in the context of judicial review principles. Although the U.S. Supreme Court held that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right in 2015, the reflections in the paper on... more
This 2014 essay discussed the issue of same-sex marriage in the context of judicial review principles. Although the U.S. Supreme Court held that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right in 2015, the reflections in the paper on judicial review were not modified by that decision.
Research Interests: History, Law, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Political Philosophy, and 51 moreAmerican Legal and Constitutional History, Courts, Political Science, Law and Religion, Legal Theory, Thomas Jefferson, Judicial review, Secession, Supreme Court, Religion and the Law, Constitutionalism, John C. Calhoun, Federal Courts, Public Law, American Constitutional Law, James Madison, Winston Churchill, Religion and the Law (Solemnising unions between same sex partners), Post-Independence Constitutionalism, Public School Desegregation in Southern United States, Constitutional Conventions, Legal Theory Contitutional Law, American Legal and Constitutional History, History of Religion, Causes of the American Civil War, Judicial Activism, Alexander Hamilton, Gerrymandering, Marriage law, Political Gerrymandering, John Marshall, Parliamentary Sovereignty, Edward Coke, Federalist Papers, Importance of a Written Constitution, Secessionism, Equal Protection, Fourteenth Amendment, John Caldwell Calhoun, Marbury v. Madison, The Federalist Papers, Equal protection clause, The American Constitution, Legal Recognition of Same Sex Relationships, American Constitutional Development, Brown V. Bd of Ed, Substantive Due Process, Supremacy Clause, The fourteenth Amendment, Parliamentary Supremacy, Nullification Crisis, Constitutional Law Theory, and Laws and Rights for Same Sex Marriage
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, American Legal and Constitutional History, Constitutional Theory, Originalism, Constitutionalism, and 15 moreU.S. Constitution, Living Constitution, U.S. constitutional law, Constitution, American Founding, Constituionalism and Constitutional Law, Constitutional Interpretation, US 'Founding Fathers', Founding Fathers, Framers of the Constitution, Constitutional Law Theory, American Founding History, American Founders, Justice Antonin Scalia, and original intent
This is a review of the 2003 Cambridge edition of the famous "Federalist" papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, together with the Antifederalist "Letters of 'Brutus.'" For additional, related remarks, see my posts... more
This is a review of the 2003 Cambridge edition of the famous "Federalist" papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, together with the Antifederalist "Letters of 'Brutus.'" For additional, related remarks, see my posts 55 and 56 at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1874328-types-of-government-united-states-constitution-and-government?page=2.
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, Federalism, U.S. Constitution, James Madison, U.S. constitutional law, and 9 moreAlexander Hamilton, John Jay, Federalist Papers, The Federalist Papers, U.S. Bill of RIghts and Other Rights, Bill of Rights, Antifederalists, Three-Fifths Compromise, and Letters of "Brutus" (Antifederalist essays)
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, Historiography, Slavery, History of Slavery, John Adams, and 13 moreConstitutional History, James Madison, Constitution, Constitutional Conventions, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Constitutional Convention, Electoral College, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, George Mason, Three-Fifths Compromise, and US Constitutional Convention (1787)
Research Interests:
Research Interests: American History, Nineteenth Century Studies, American Legal and Constitutional History, Religion and Politics, First Amendment Law (USA), and 32 moreChristian Orthodoxy and Nationalism, Nineteenth Century United States, Separation of Church and State, History of Religious Freedom, Accommodation, Disestablishment, Nationalism, Theocratic Politics, Gender & Caste Issues, Early American History, First Amendment/Freedom of Expression issues, Religion and Government, Roger Williams, First Amendment, Religious Right, Religious Liberty, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Free Exercise Clause, Religious Freedom, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Religious and Political Right-Extremism, Separation of religion and government, Human Rights and Religious Freedom, Protestant Establishment, Roger Williams Theologian, Free Exercise of Religion, Isaac Backus, David Sehat, Myth of American Religious Freedom, Separation of Religion and State, Separationism (church and State), Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), and Fourteenth Amendment (incorporation)
Research Interests: American History, American Legal and Constitutional History, First Amendment Law (USA), Thomas Jefferson, Second Great Awakening, and 21 moreNew Deal (U.S. history), United States History, Separation of Church and State, Christianity and Nationalism, 19th and 20th Century United States, American Religious History, James Madison, Roger Williams, Religious Right, Religious Nationalism, Theocracy, The Establishment Clause, The New Deal, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, New Deal, Eisenhower, Christian National Ideology, Dwight Eisenhower, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), "Christian nation", and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Research Interests: Constitutional Law, U.S. constitutional law, Gerrymandering, US House of Representatives, Political Gerrymandering, and 14 moreCitizens United v. FEC, Reapportionment, Earl Warren, Baker v. Carr, Senator Everett Dirkson, One Person, One Vote, One Man, One Vote, Apportionment of Legislative Districts, Amending the U.S. Constitution, Partisan Gerrymandering, One Dollar, One Vote, The Warren Court, U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren, and U.S. House of Representatives
This book enlists not only historical but also legal and philosophical analysis to arrive at the conclusion that Jefferson, Madison, and other founders had the most correct view of the relationship between religion and government (church... more
This book enlists not only historical but also legal and philosophical analysis to arrive at the conclusion that Jefferson, Madison, and other founders had the most correct view of the relationship between religion and government (church and state). Such founders sharply delineated the public (governmental) and private spheres and placed freedom of conscience squarely in the private sphere.
Research Interests: Pragmatism, Contract Law, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), Thomas Jefferson, and 15 moreCapitalism, Postmodernism, Contract Theory, Second Great Awakening, Communitarianism, Separation of Church and State, Libertarianism, Religion and Law, James Madison, Church and State, Free Exercise Clause, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, and The Establishment Clause
This article provides a summary of some aspects of my book "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience," though the book itself contains much more information, analysis, and documentation regarding these and... more
This article provides a summary of some aspects of my book "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience," though the book itself contains much more information, analysis, and documentation regarding these and other matters.
Research Interests: Native American Studies, Historiography, Historicism, John Locke, Separation of Church and State, and 32 moreHistory of Religious Freedom, Native American (History), Rhode Island History, Native American history, Roger Williams, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Loyalty Oath, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Separation of religion and government, A Letter Concerning Toleration, Wall of Separation, Roger Williams Theologian, 17th Century Rhode Island, Brooks Adams, Reverand Historians of the Theocracy, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, Colonial Rhode Island, Isaac Backus, Separation of Religion and State, John Leland, Providence (Rhode Island), The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience by Alan E. Johnson, "Christian nation", Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, Oaths (religious References In), and Religious tests for public office and franchise
The definition of "theocracy" has perplexed scholars for many centuries. Some argue that theocracy exists only when religious leaders are also the actual, official political leaders and, as such, impose their particular theological views... more
The definition of "theocracy" has perplexed scholars for many centuries. Some argue that theocracy exists only when religious leaders are also the actual, official political leaders and, as such, impose their particular theological views on the populace at large. This essay argues that effective control of a polity by religious leaders and their theology is dispositive, regardless of the governmental organization that exists on paper. For example, Roger Williams pointed out that in many theocracies (including that of seventeenth-century Massachusetts Bay) "the Magistrate is but the Ministers Cane through which the Clergy speaks . . . ." "The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody" (London, 1652), 131. The present essay was incorporated, with some additions and revisions, into Appendix B of Alan E. Johnson's book "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (http://www.amazon.com/First-American-Founder-Williams-Conscience/dp/1511823712/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436397728&sr=1-1). For a summary of some of the points in this book, see the author's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOlUZaehYk7WmwW8v9oBMzQ) about Roger Williams, including an interview (https://youtu.be/mGRl5lIbdYY) with the author about this book.
Note: The sentence and citation on page 5, n.1, in this article referring to John M. Barry's book on Roger Williams should be qualified by Barry's remarks elsewhere in his book: "Technically, the Bay was not a theocracy. Consistent with the admonition to render unto Caesar the things that were Caesar’s, and to God those which were God’s, the plantation prohibited a minister or church officer from simultaneously holding a government office. (For this reason some historians have argued that Puritan Massachusetts actually advanced the concept of separation of church and state.) But if not a theocracy, Massachusetts was theocentric." Barry, Roger Williams, 169. As discussed in this article, I disagree with the position that Massachusetts Bay was not a theocracy.
Note: The sentence and citation on page 5, n.1, in this article referring to John M. Barry's book on Roger Williams should be qualified by Barry's remarks elsewhere in his book: "Technically, the Bay was not a theocracy. Consistent with the admonition to render unto Caesar the things that were Caesar’s, and to God those which were God’s, the plantation prohibited a minister or church officer from simultaneously holding a government office. (For this reason some historians have argued that Puritan Massachusetts actually advanced the concept of separation of church and state.) But if not a theocracy, Massachusetts was theocentric." Barry, Roger Williams, 169. As discussed in this article, I disagree with the position that Massachusetts Bay was not a theocracy.
Research Interests: American History, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Early Modern History, History of Religion, and 59 moreColonial America, Religion and Politics, Political Science, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), Calvinism, History Of Political Thought (Political Science), Freedom of Religion, Quaker Studies, History of Political Thought, American Political Thought, Political Theology, John Calvin, Separation of Church and State, American Government, Heresy, Early Modern Political Thought, History of Religious Freedom, New England (History), Rhode Island History, Christian Heresies, Predestination, Heresy and Orthodoxy, Eve La Plante, Anne Hutchinson, American Puritanism, Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, Church and State, Quakers, Separationof Church and State, Religious Liberty, Free Exercise Clause, Rhode Island, Liberty of conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Heretics, History of Religious Liberty, Christianity, Secularization, Church and State, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Early Modern Political Theory, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, Heresy and Religious Dissent, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Seventeenth century Quakers, Heresies, their social and historical context, and (most importantly!) who gets to decide what falls on the wrong line of orthodox belief., Church and State Law, 17th century New England, New England History, Wall of Separation, Freedom of Religion and Religious Organization, New England Theology, John Cotton, and Roger Williams Theologian
For centuries, a shorthand essay of Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), written sometime during the last few years of his life, was left undeciphered and was accordingly unavailable to historians. In a remarkable scholarly achievement, a team... more
For centuries, a shorthand essay of Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83), written sometime during the last few years of his life, was left undeciphered and was accordingly unavailable to historians. In a remarkable scholarly achievement, a team of professors and students recently decoded most of this essay and provided appropriate commentary and related materials.
Research Interests: Native American Studies, Constitutional Law, History of Christianity, American Legal and Constitutional History, Amerindian Studies, and 61 moreFirst Amendment Law (USA), Calvinism, Anabaptism, Baptist Theology, Religious Conversion, Congregational Studies, Anabaptist Theology, Baptism, Native American, Anabaptist Studies, Separation of Church and State, Religious History, Religious Persecution, Millenarianism, Religious Studies, Rhode Island History, Baptist polity, Roger Williams, effect of European conquest on Amerindian Culture, Millennialism, Liberty Freedom Coercion Religion Law, Religious Right, Religious Liberty, Religion Clauses, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, History of Baptist and their Identity, Free Exercise Clause, Amerindians, Liberty of conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Theocracy, Anabaptist History and Theology, Congregationalism, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, New England Theology, Roger Williams Theologian, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, John Eliot, Seekers, 17th Century Rhode Island, Seekerism, Anabaptist History, Decoding Roger Williams, Linford D. Fisher, J. Stanley Lemons, Lucas Mason-Brown, First Baptist Church in Providence, John Jackson (17th-Century Seeker), A Sober Word to a Sober People by John Jackson, Henry Martyn Dexter, Brooks Adams, The Emancipation of Massachusetts by Brooks Adams, As to Roger Williams by Henry Martyn Dexter, Reverand Historians of the Theocracy, Narragansetts, and Early History of Providence Rhode Island
This is a review of the definitive edition of the correspondence of Roger Williams (ca. 1603-1683). The review was originally published on April 26, 2014. A typographical error was corrected on December 27, 2014.
Research Interests: American History, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Early Modern History, Historical Theology, and 73 moreColonial America, Religion and Politics, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), English History, Calvin, Calvinism, American Religion, Colonial (American History), Freedom of Religion, 17th-Century Studies, Quaker Studies, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, John Calvin, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, History of Religious Freedom, Religious Persecution, 17th century England, New England (History), Quakerism, Religious Toleration, English Puritanism, Quaker Studies, Sociology of Religion, Theological History, American Religious History, Rhode Island History, Oliver Cromwell, Puritan Studies, Early American History, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Quakers, Relations between Church and State, Cromwellian Protectorate, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), 17th Century History, Calvin, Calvinism, Reformed Tradition, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Theocracy, 17th century England nonconformity, Religious Freedom, Puritanism, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, History of Religious Liberty, Puritan Revolution, American Puritans, Edward Coke, Early Quakers, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, History of Quakerism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Seventeenth century Quakers, Religious Society of Friends Quakers, Church and State Law, Jean Calvin, 17th century New England, New England History, Wall of Separation, New England Theology, New England tribes, John Cotton, Quaker Theology, Roger Williams Theologian, and Algonquin peoples of southern New England
This volume contains Roger Williams's A Key into the Language of America (1643), A Letter of Mr. John Cottons . . . in New-England to Mr. Williams (1643), and Williams's Mr. Cottons Letter Lately Printed, Examined and Answered (1644).
Research Interests: American History, Native American Studies, Political Philosophy, Theology, Political Theory, and 56 moreHistory of Religion, Historical Theology, Colonial America, Religion and Politics, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), History Of Political Thought (Political Science), Colonial (American History), Freedom of Religion, Biblical Theology, History of Political Thought, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, Algonquian languages, Separation of Church and State, Heresy, History of Religious Freedom, History of Religions (History), New England (History), Algonquian studies, Rhode Island History, Christian Theology, Early American History, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Relations between Church and State, Religious Liberty, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, History of theology, Liberty of conscience, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Heretics, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, History of Religious Liberty, American Puritans, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Heresy and Religious Dissent, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Early American Religion, 17th Century American History, Church and State Law, 17th century New England, Wall of Separation, Heresy and Blasphemy, Established Churches, John Cotton, Roger Williams Theologian, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, and Key into the Language of America by Roger Williams
This volume contains John Cotton's Reply to Mr. Williams, his Examination (1647) and Roger Williams's Queries of Highest Consideration (1644).
Research Interests: American History, Political Philosophy, Theology, Political Theory, History of Religion, and 52 moreHistorical Theology, Colonial America, Religion and Politics, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), English History, History Of Political Thought (Political Science), Colonial (American History), 17th-Century Studies, History of Religions, Biblical Theology, History of Political Thought, American Political Thought, Political Theology, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, History of Religions (History), New England (History), English Puritanism, Rhode Island History, Puritan Studies, English Civil War Literature, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, The English Civil War and Revolution, Relations between Church and State, Religious Liberty, English Civil War, History of theology, Free Exercise Clause, Liberty of conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Theocracy, Puritanism, History of Religious Liberty, American Puritans, Congregationalism, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Westminster Assembly, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, 17th Century American History, Church and State Law, English Civil Wars, 17th century New England, Wall of Separation, Established Churches, John Cotton, and Roger Williams Theologian
This volume contains Roger Williams's famous work "The Bloudy Tenent, of Persecution, for cause of Conscience, discussed, in a Conference betweene Truth and Peace" (1644).
Research Interests: American History, Political Philosophy, Theology, Political Theory, History of Religion, and 81 moreHistorical Theology, Colonial America, Religion and Politics, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), English History, History Of Political Thought (Political Science), American Religion, Colonial (American History), 17th-Century Studies, History of Religions, Biblical Theology, History of Biblical Interpretation, History of Political Thought, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Heresy, Biblical Interpretation, History of Religious Freedom, Religious Persecution, Heresy and Inquisition, Religion and the Law, 17th century England, History of Religions (History), New England (History), English Puritanism, Rhode Island History, Christian Heresies, Constantine, Biblical Typology, Heresy and Orthodoxy, Puritan Studies, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, English Civil War Literature, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, The English Civil War and Revolution, Relations between Church and State, 17th Century Studies, Religious Liberty, The Use of the Old Testament in the New, Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, Early Christianity, English Civil War, History of theology, Free Exercise Clause, 17th Century History, Liberty of conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Biblical Theocracy, Constantine the Great, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Puritanism, Heretics, History of Religious Liberty, American Puritans, Use of the Old Testament in the New, Congregationalism, Levellers, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Westminster Assembly, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Christian Heretics, From Valentinus to the Cathars., History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Church and State Law, English Civil Wars, 17th century New England, New England History, Wall of Separation, Church and State studies, Freedom of Religion and Religious Organization, New England Theology, Established Churches, John Cotton, and Roger Williams Theologian
This volume contains Roger Williams's "The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody: By Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the Bloode of the Lambe" (1652).
Research Interests: American History, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Early Modern History, Historical Theology, and 105 moreReligion and Politics, Natural Law, Law and Religion, First Amendment Law (USA), Erasmus, English History, Calvinism, American Religion, Colonial (American History), Religious Conversion, 17th-Century Studies, History of Religions, History of Biblical Interpretation, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, John Calvin, Apostle Paul and the Pauline Letters, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Heresy, Biblical Interpretation, History of Religious Freedom, Religious History, Religious Persecution, 17th century England, Martin Luther, Pauline Theology, New England (History), Religious Toleration, English Puritanism, Rhode Island History, Christian Heresies, Christian Theology, Constantine, Biblical Typology, Predestination, Oliver Cromwell, Heresy and Orthodoxy, Theology of Ministry/Office, Puritan Studies, Book of Romans, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Relations between Church and State, Separationof Church and State, Epistle to the Romans, Cromwellian Protectorate, Religious Liberty, The Use of the Old Testament in the New, Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, Early Christianity, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Tithes, History of theology, Free Exercise Clause, Parables of Jesus, Religious Freedom, Religious persecution, Liberty of conscience, Doctrine of God, Christology, Soteriology, Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, Dogmatic Theology, Analytic Theology, Continental Theology, Biblical Theology, Thomas F. Torrance, Karl Barth, John Calvin, Systematic Theology, Tithe, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Biblical Theocracy, Constantine the Great, Theocracy, Religious Freedom, Puritanism, John Owen, Heretics, History of Religious Liberty, Puritan Revolution, Arminianism, Congregationalism, Levellers, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Westminster Assembly, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Heresy and Religious Dissent, Tithe, historical development;, Church and State Relations, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, The doctrines of predestination and election, Church and State Law, Bible. New Testament. paul's epistle to the Romans, New England History, theology of John Calvin, Wall of Separation, Freedom of Religion and Religious Organization, Erastianism, Christian Persecution, New England Theology, Heresy and Blasphemy, The Puritans, Persecution of Christians, Established Churches, Doctrine of Predestination, John Cotton, Interregnum, Roger Williams Theologian, American Colonial History, and Puritan Theology
This volume is devoted to Roger Williams's George Fox Digg'd out of His Burrows (1676), an account of Williams's theological debate with representatives of the Quakers (Friends) in August of 1672, as augmented by Williams's additional... more
This volume is devoted to Roger Williams's George Fox Digg'd out of His Burrows (1676), an account of Williams's theological debate with representatives of the Quakers (Friends) in August of 1672, as augmented by Williams's additional reflections.
Research Interests: Theology, History of Religion, Historical Theology, Calvinism, Theological Interpretation of Christian Scripture, and 58 moreFreedom of Religion, Quaker Studies, History of Religions, Protestantism, Biblical Theology, Perfectionism, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Biblical Interpretation, Religious History, Quakerism, English Puritanism, Rhode Island History, Biblical Typology, Predestination, Oliver Cromwell, Puritan Studies, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, George Fox, Cromwellian Protectorate, Pelagianism, Religious Liberty, Providence, Oaths, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Doctrine of God, Christology, Soteriology, Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, Dogmatic Theology, Analytic Theology, Continental Theology, Biblical Theology, Thomas F. Torrance, Karl Barth, John Calvin, Systematic Theology, Massachusetts History, Theocracy, Puritanism, John Owen, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Biblical literalism, Puritan Revolution, Arminianism, Sola Scriptura, Early Quakers, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, History of Quakerism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Seventeenth century Quakers, The doctrines of predestination and election, William Harris, Colonial Newport History, Free will vs predestination, Radical Puritanism, Doctrine of Predestination, John Cotton, Quaker Theology, Roger Williams Theologian, Puritan Theology, Calvinist Justification, 17th Century Rhode Island, Robert Williams (Brother of Roger Williams), Women and the Christian Bible, Ranters, and Christian Views of Human Nature
This volume is a reprint of the nineteenth-century Narragansett edition of Roger Williams's letters. Since the nineteenth-century, many other letters from and to Roger Williams have been located. The definitive edition is now The... more
This volume is a reprint of the nineteenth-century Narragansett edition of Roger Williams's letters. Since the nineteenth-century, many other letters from and to Roger Williams have been located. The definitive edition is now The Correspondence of Roger Williams, ed. Glenn W. LaFantasie, 2 vols. (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England / Brown University Press, 1988). Alan Johnson has reviewed the latter edition at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/882177429?book_show_action=false (see also his Academia.edu profile page).
Research Interests:
This volume contains the following works authored by Roger Williams: Christenings make not Christians (1645 or 1646), Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health (1652), The Fourth Paper, Presented by Major Butler (1652), The Hireling... more
This volume contains the following works authored by Roger Williams: Christenings make not Christians (1645 or 1646), Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health (1652), The Fourth Paper, Presented by Major Butler (1652), The Hireling Ministry None of Christs (1652), and The Examiner defended (1652).
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Historical Theology, Religion and Politics, Colonial (American History), and 76 moreFreedom of Religion, Religious Conversion, 17th-Century Studies, Biblical Theology, History of Biblical Interpretation, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Heresy, Biblical Interpretation, History of Religious Freedom, Religious History, Religious Persecution, 17th century England, New England (History), Religious Toleration, English Puritanism, American Religious History, Rhode Island History, Christian Heresies, Constantine, Biblical Typology, Oliver Cromwell, Puritan Studies, Primitive Christianity, Philosophical Theology, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Relations between Church and State, Separationof Church and State, Cromwellian Protectorate, Religious Liberty, The Use of the Old Testament in the New, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, Early Christianity, Tithes, History of theology, Free Exercise Clause, 17th Century History, Liberty of conscience, Massachusetts History, Tithing, Tithe, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Constantine the Great, Religious Freedom, Puritanism, John Owen, Heretics, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, History of Religious Liberty, Puritan Revolution, Congregationalism, Levellers, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Heathenism, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Tithe, historical development;, Church and State Relations, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Scottish Presbyterianism, Church and State Law, Wall of Separation, Erastianism, Christian Persecution, Persecution of Christians, Established Churches, John Cotton, Interregnum, Roger Williams Theologian, English Presbyterianism, and Henry Vane
This is a facsimile edition of John Cotton's response to Roger Williams's famous work The Bloudy Tenent, of Persecution, for cause of Conscience (1644).
Research Interests: American History, Theology, Political Theory, History of Religion, Historical Theology, and 40 moreColonial America, Religion and Politics, Law and Religion, American Religion, Colonial (American History), 17th-Century Studies, History of Religions, Biblical Theology, American Political Thought, Politics and Religion, Political Theology, Separation of Church and State, Puritans, Religion and the Law, New England (History), American Religious History, Puritan Studies, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, Relations between Church and State, Religious Liberty, Liberty of conscience, 17th & 18th Century New England History, Biblical Theocracy, Theocracy, Puritanism, History of Religious Liberty, Congregationalism, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Early American Religion, 17th century New England, New England History, Wall of Separation, New England Theology, Established Churches, John Cotton, Roger Williams Theologian, and Puritan Theology
Research Interests: Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Early Modern History, Religion and Politics, English History, and 14 morePolitical Theology, John Milton, Separation of Church and State, English Puritanism, Oliver Cromwell, Roger Williams, Church and State, Cromwellian Protectorate, Liberty of conscience, Theocracy, Erastianism, Interregnum, Roger Williams Theologian, and Henry Vane
Research Interests: Native American Studies, Native American, Native American (History), Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, and 10 moreNative Americans, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Massachusetts History, Mashantucket Pequot, Pequot War, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Eastern Pequot, John Underhill, and Newes from America by John Underhill
This book is Volume II of the Baptists in Early North America series. It is an account of the church originally founded by Roger Williams in 1638 and contains transcriptions of the church's records from March 27, 1755 to March 4, 1830.... more
This book is Volume II of the Baptists in Early North America series. It is an account of the church originally founded by Roger Williams in 1638 and contains transcriptions of the church's records from March 27, 1755 to March 4, 1830. The review contains additional information about the primary sources and Professor Lemons's Introduction and editorial apparatus.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Colonial America, New England (History), Rhode Island History, Roger Williams, New England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 7 more17th & 18th Century New England History, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, New England Colonial History, Acts of Providence, Providence Plantations, and Providence RI
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Colonial America, Historiography, Historicism, Rhode Island History, Early American History, and 11 moreRoger Williams, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Anachronism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, 17th Century American History, Perry Miller, Roger Williams Theologian, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, Sydney V. James, Edmund S. Morgan, and Colonial Rhode Island
Research Interests: American Literature, Native American Studies, Historiography, Quaker Studies, Anabaptist Studies, and 55 moreSeparation of Church and State, Religious Persecution, Native American (History), New England (History), Quaker Studies, Sociology of Religion, Theological History, Rhode Island History, Heresiology, Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, George Fox, Religious Liberty, History of Baptist and their Identity, Liberty of conscience, Colonial Massachusetts, Massachusetts History, Blasphemy, Theocracy, Anabaptist History and Theology, History of Religious Liberty, Familism, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, History of Quakerism, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, Baptist History, Seventeenth century Quakers, Religious Society of Friends Quakers, Antinomian Controversy, Antinomianism, Heresy and Blasphemy, Perry Miller, John Cotton, John Eliot, Seekers, History of Blasphemy, Narragansetts, John Clarke (1609-1676), Samuel Gorton (1592-1677), William Coddington (1601-1678), Jonathan Beecher Field, Errands into the Metropolis, Key into the Language of America by Roger Williams, King Charles II, Massachusetts Bay Cart and Whip Act, New England Way, Cotton-Williams Debate, Christenings Make Not Christians by Roger Williams, Simplicities Defence (1646) by Samuel Gorton, Hypocrasie Unmasked by Edward Winslow, Nathaniel Morton, New Englands Memorial by Nathaniel Morton, Ill Newes from New-England (1652) by John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes (17th-Century American Baptist), and Humphrey Norton (17th-Century Quaker)
This book by Edwin Gaustad was the first book I read on Roger Williams in 2002. It inspired me to proceed with research on Williams during the ensuing decade while I was working full time as a litigation lawyer and then, finally, in... more
This book by Edwin Gaustad was the first book I read on Roger Williams in 2002. It inspired me to proceed with research on Williams during the ensuing decade while I was working full time as a litigation lawyer and then, finally, in retirement, when I wrote and published my book The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience. Gaustad is, in my view, one of the finest interpreters of Roger Williams, though he did not meticulously document his factual statements with footnotes or endnotes. I wrote this review of his book in 2002.
Research Interests: Native American Studies, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Colonial America, Religion and Politics, and 13 morePolitical Theology, Separation of Church and State, New England (History), Rhode Island History, American Puritanism, Roger Williams, Church and State, American Founding, Liberty of conscience, Theocracy, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, History of Rhode Island & Massachusetts, and Roger Williams Theologian
I have reviewed G. Thomas Tanselle's biography of Royall Tyler (1757-1826) on Goodreads. Tyler was a lawyer, jurist, novelist, playwright, poet, and essayist who grew up in Boston and saw firsthand many of the events of the American... more
I have reviewed G. Thomas Tanselle's biography of Royall Tyler (1757-1826) on Goodreads. Tyler was a lawyer, jurist, novelist, playwright, poet, and essayist who grew up in Boston and saw firsthand many of the events of the American Revolution. He had a lifetime commitment to liberty of conscience and separation of church and state, and he referred to the seventeenth-century religious persecution by Massachusetts Bay against Roger Williams and others in a novel.
Research Interests: Early American Literature, Early Republic--American History, History of Religious Freedom, American Revolutionary War, Early American History, and 9 moreRoger Williams, Religious Liberty, Early American History (colonial, revolutionary, and early republic), Liberty of conscience, Religious Freedom, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Royall Tyler, and G. Thomas Tanselle
This is a review of the 1925 compilation of the autobiographical writings of Mary Palmer Tyler (1775-1866) and some excerpts from the autobiographical writings of her mother, Elizabeth Hunt Palmer (1755-1838) As explained more fully in... more
This is a review of the 1925 compilation of the autobiographical writings of Mary Palmer Tyler (1775-1866) and some excerpts from the autobiographical writings of her mother, Elizabeth Hunt Palmer (1755-1838) As explained more fully in the review, this book presents very interesting information about the social and political life of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century America.
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, History of Medicine, Culture, Autobiography, Egalitarianism, and 23 moreAmerican Revolution, Social History, John Adams, Vermont history, Massachusetts History, George Washington, Autobiography and life writing studies, Abigail Adams, Social Safety Net, Social safety nets, Class Consciousness, Autobiographies, History and Class Consciousness, Martha Washington, Royall Tyler, Mary Palmer Tyler, Battle of Lexington (MA), John Hancock, Elbridge Gerry, Robert Treat Paine, Richard Cranch, Continental currency, and History of U.S. bankruptcy law
Research Interests: Social Contract Theory, Thomas Jefferson, Social contract, Religious Persecution, Natural Rights History, and 14 moreReligious Toleration, James Madison, Roger Williams, Natural rights, Toleration, Religious Liberty, PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES, Religious Freedom, Religious persecution, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Social Contract Theory of State, and Roger Williams Theologian
This is a recorded lecture by Alan E. Johnson discussing the key concepts of his book "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022). It was presented to the Pittsburgh Freethought Community on October 19, 2022. The lecture is 46 minutes and the... more
This is a recorded lecture by Alan E. Johnson discussing the key concepts of his book "Reason and Human Ethics" (2022). It was presented to the Pittsburgh Freethought Community on October 19, 2022. The lecture is 46 minutes and the follow-up Q&A session is 46 minutes.
"Reason and Human Ethics" argues that a secular, biological, teleological basis of human ethics exists and that reasoning and critical thinking about both ends and means are essential to human ethics. It examines how these principles apply in the contexts of individual ethics, social ethics, citizen ethics, media ethics, and political ethics.
"Reason and Human Ethics" argues that a secular, biological, teleological basis of human ethics exists and that reasoning and critical thinking about both ends and means are essential to human ethics. It examines how these principles apply in the contexts of individual ethics, social ethics, citizen ethics, media ethics, and political ethics.
Research Interests:
This YouTube lecture summarizes the themes and contents of my book "Free Will and Human Life." The lecture and the book address arguments against free will, arguments for free will, and my own view that free will, properly understood,... more
This YouTube lecture summarizes the themes and contents of my book "Free Will and Human Life." The lecture and the book address arguments against free will, arguments for free will, and my own view that free will, properly understood, exists and is beneficial to human life.
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, Complexity Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Chaos Theory, and 15 moreFree Will, Daniel Dennett, Henry Stapp, Metaphysics of Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Free Will and Moral Responsibility, Compatibilism, Compatibilism and incompatibilism, Neuroplasticity, Determinism, Freewill and Determinism, Stuart Kauffman, Benjamin Libet, Free will and determinism debate, Philosophy of mind Free will and Consciousness, and Free Will and Determinism
This is a synopsis, with a link to the YouTube video recording, of my May 27, 2020 lecture on Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83). Williams was the architect of freedom of conscience and church-state separation in America. He founded the town of... more
This is a synopsis, with a link to the YouTube video recording, of my May 27, 2020 lecture on Roger Williams (ca. 1603-83). Williams was the architect of freedom of conscience and church-state separation in America. He founded the town of Providence and later co-founded the colony (later state) that we know as Rhode Island on the basis of these principles.
Research Interests: Separation of Church and State, New England (History), Rhode Island History, James Madison, Roger Williams, and 11 moreNew England Indians of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, English Civil War, Freedom of Conscience, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Algonquin peoples of southern New England, Pilgrims of Plymouth, Narragansetts, Key into the Language of America by Roger Williams, and The Bloudy Tenent by Roger Williams
This is the prepared text of a presentation by Alan E. Johnson, author of "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (2015), to the Roger Williams Family Association at the Roger Williams National Memorial in... more
This is the prepared text of a presentation by Alan E. Johnson, author of "The First American Founder: Roger Williams and Freedom of Conscience" (2015), to the Roger Williams Family Association at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, on August 11, 2018.
Research Interests: Thomas Jefferson, Separation of Church and State, John Adams, James Madison, Roger Williams, and 15 moreFreedom of Conscience, Puritanism, Separatism, Edward Coke, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Wall of Separation, Narragansetts, Isaac Backus, John Leland, Engel v. Vitale, Rhode Island Governor Stephen Hopkins, Wampanoags, Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
This document constitutes the course materials for Alan E. Johnson's October 28, 2016 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course entitled "Separation of Religion and Government from the 1787 U.S. Constitution to the Present." This is the... more
This document constitutes the course materials for Alan E. Johnson's October 28, 2016 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course entitled "Separation of Religion and Government from the 1787 U.S. Constitution to the Present."
This is the second of two CLE sessions on U.S. church-state law from the seventeenth century to the present. The first session occurred on July 13, 2016, and, as a result of a one-hour time limitation, concluded before reaching the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The course materials for the first session are posted at https://www.academia.edu/26966462/Church-State_Law_from_Seventeenth-Century_New_England_to_the_Present_An_Overview. The present course materials substantially expand the earlier course materials for the period 1787 to the present.
This is the second of two CLE sessions on U.S. church-state law from the seventeenth century to the present. The first session occurred on July 13, 2016, and, as a result of a one-hour time limitation, concluded before reaching the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The course materials for the first session are posted at https://www.academia.edu/26966462/Church-State_Law_from_Seventeenth-Century_New_England_to_the_Present_An_Overview. The present course materials substantially expand the earlier course materials for the period 1787 to the present.
Research Interests: First Amendment Law (USA), Separation of Church and State, U.S. Constitution, U.S. constitutional law, Religion and Government, and 29 moreFirst Amendment, Church and State, Relations between Church and State, Separationof Church and State, State-Church Relations, The Establishment Clause, Fourteenth Amendment, Church-state relations, Separation of religion and government, Church and State Law, The fourteenth Amendment, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), Fourteenth Amendment (incorporation), Abington School District v. Schempp, Engel v. Vitale, Lee v. Weisman, Religious tests for public office and franchise, Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1 (1947), Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice David Souter, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Walz v. Tax Commission, Torasco v. Watkins, Lemon v. Kurtzman, Town of Greece v. Galloway, Marsh v. Chambers, and Legislative Chaplains
These are course materials for the one-hour Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentation by Alan E. Johnson on July 13, 2016, at the Pittsburgh Office of the law firm of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin. As a result of the... more
These are course materials for the one-hour Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentation by Alan E. Johnson on July 13, 2016, at the Pittsburgh Office of the law firm of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin. As a result of the one-hour time limitation, the actual presentation on July 13, 2016, only covered legal developments up to the 1787 US Constitution. Part 2 of the presentation, which will be conducted on October 28, 2016, will discuss church-state constitutional developments from the time of the 1787 US Constitutional Convention to the present. Additional course materials will accompany the second part of the presentation.
Research Interests: First Amendment Law (USA), Thomas Jefferson, Freedom of Religion, Separation of Church and State, Christianity and Nationalism, and 40 moreReligious Persecution, Rhode Island History, Virginia History, James Madison, History of Plymouth, Roger Williams, Church and State, Connecticut History, Free Exercise Clause, Liberty of conscience, Freedom of Conscience, Colonial Plymouth, Theocracy, Freedom of Religion and Conscience, The Establishment Clause, The Free Exercise Clause, Theocracy in Early Massachusetts, Church and State in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Wall of Separation, Prayer In School, Virginia Declaration of Rights, Early History of Providence Rhode Island, Plymouth Colony, Isaac Backus, Establishment Clause (U.S. Constitution), Fourteenth Amendment (incorporation), John Leland, William Bradford (governor of Plymouth colony), New Haven (17th-century colony), Oaths (religious References In), Providence Plantations (17th-Century Colony), Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, School Prayer, Religion Clauses of the First amendment, Religious tests for public office and franchise, Church and State in Plymouth Colony, Persecution of Baptists in colonial Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, Memorial and Remonstrance (authored by James Madison), and Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1 (1947)
I was a presenter and panelist in this June 19, 2015 discussion group at the 25th Anniversary Conference of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (NCIS) at Yale University. The overall theme of the conference was "Traditions &... more
I was a presenter and panelist in this June 19, 2015 discussion group at the 25th Anniversary Conference of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (NCIS) at Yale University. The overall theme of the conference was "Traditions & Transitions: Independent Scholars and the Digital Landscape." An outline of my presentation is attached.