from Reason Papers vol. 27, Fall 2004, p. 5, © Aeon J. Skoble

Editorial

In an election year, we’re frequently told, we have a special obligation to become informed on the issues and make crucial decisions.  But why should we have this obligation only in election years?  Surely we have an obligation, to ourselves, to exercise our critical faculties all the time.  We are constantly making decisions about a variety of things.  We need to make rational, well-informed decisions all the time, not just in November.  This Journal takes no official position on the upcoming presidential election, but, as its title might suggest, is strongly in favor of reasoned discourse, both with oneself and with others.  Vote for this one, vote for that one, or vote for none of the above, but be sure that whatever decision you arrive at has been the product of reasoned deliberation.  You owe it to yourself.  We’re told that the vote is your most precious gift.  But it’s not.  Your most precious gift is your mind.  Treasure that.

In this issue of Reason Papers, you will notice that one essay is Part One of a two-part essay.  Part Two will run in vol. 28, which is planned for this coming winter.  Please visit our website periodically for new information: http://webhost.bridgew.edu/askoble/RPad.htm.  In the future, some content will become available electronically, and the website also contains an archive of past volumes, and ordering information.  Thanks for reading Reason Papers, and thanks for thinking.

Aeon J. Skoble

Bridgewater State College

Editor-in-Chief