Andrew Fiala
@andrewfiala.bsky.social
Philosophy professor and author, writing on ethics, religion, politics, and the human condition from Central California in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada.
Recent controversies in the world of sports direct our attention to the ethics of sports and games.
The best human activities are done for their own sake.
Human happiness involves finding a game to love and playing it well — for its own sake.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
The best human activities are done for their own sake.
Human happiness involves finding a game to love and playing it well — for its own sake.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Why love of the game beats cheating and ambition in sports | Opinion
“Pouting prevents you from playing well, and a cheater’s medal is a tarnished reminder of misbehavior.”
www.sacbee.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Recent controversies in the world of sports direct our attention to the ethics of sports and games.
The best human activities are done for their own sake.
Human happiness involves finding a game to love and playing it well — for its own sake.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
The best human activities are done for their own sake.
Human happiness involves finding a game to love and playing it well — for its own sake.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Cheating is as old as human history, as is bad sportsmanship and athletic corruption... Everyone can be tempted, at times, to behave badly.
You cannot experience the joy of sport unless you play for the love of the game.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
You cannot experience the joy of sport unless you play for the love of the game.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Why love of the game beats cheating and ambition in sports | Opinion
“Pouting prevents you from playing well, and a cheater’s medal is a tarnished reminder of misbehavior.”
www.fresnobee.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Cheating is as old as human history, as is bad sportsmanship and athletic corruption... Everyone can be tempted, at times, to behave badly.
You cannot experience the joy of sport unless you play for the love of the game.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
You cannot experience the joy of sport unless you play for the love of the game.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Gratefulness is related to other virtues, such as compassion, humility and truthfulness, as well as mercy and forgiveness.
Giving thanks: finding the light amid darkness this Thanksgiving | Opinion
“In giving thanks, we should cultivate a humble, forgiving, cheerful and open mind,” writes Fresno State Philosophy Professor Andrew Fiala.
www.sacbee.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Gratefulness is related to other virtues, such as compassion, humility and truthfulness, as well as mercy and forgiveness.
Whether we think that good things come from God, Providence or from the world itself, it is wise to acknowledge all the goodness we enjoy. In giving thanks, we should cultivate a humble, forgiving, cheerful and open mind.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Giving thanks: finding the light amid darkness this Thanksgiving | Opinion
“In giving thanks, we should cultivate a humble, forgiving, cheerful and open mind,” writes Fresno State Philosophy Professor Andrew Fiala.
www.fresnobee.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Whether we think that good things come from God, Providence or from the world itself, it is wise to acknowledge all the goodness we enjoy. In giving thanks, we should cultivate a humble, forgiving, cheerful and open mind.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
It’s a long way from Silicon Valley to the Vatican, but the journey may be enlightening....
It will be exciting to see what the wizards of Silicon Valley will come up with next. But wizardry without wisdom is dangerous.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
It will be exciting to see what the wizards of Silicon Valley will come up with next. But wizardry without wisdom is dangerous.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Pope Leo XIV’s important warning on ethics of AI and new technology | Opinion
“Whether we are enhancing or undermining our humanity ought to be the focus of moral reflection on new technology.”
www.sacbee.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It’s a long way from Silicon Valley to the Vatican, but the journey may be enlightening....
It will be exciting to see what the wizards of Silicon Valley will come up with next. But wizardry without wisdom is dangerous.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
It will be exciting to see what the wizards of Silicon Valley will come up with next. But wizardry without wisdom is dangerous.
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
At the dawn of the age of artificial intelligence, we need a corresponding new dawn of critical moral judgment. Now is the time for us to think deeply about the philosophy of technology and the values expressed or embodied in our tools.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Pope Leo XIV’s important warning on ethics of AI and new technology | Opinion
“Whether we are enhancing or undermining our humanity ought to be the focus of moral reflection on new technology.”
www.fresnobee.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
At the dawn of the age of artificial intelligence, we need a corresponding new dawn of critical moral judgment. Now is the time for us to think deeply about the philosophy of technology and the values expressed or embodied in our tools.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Perhaps a religious revival could help our nation. But which faith would lead it? And what about a revival of science and rationality? If there is to be a revival, it should be the work of free citizens. Its not the business of the government.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
The Trump administration’s call for a religious revival is worrying | Opinion
“Our political leaders have a ‘free exercise’ right to pray. But this becomes problematic when the government leads a religious revival.”
www.fresnobee.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Perhaps a religious revival could help our nation. But which faith would lead it? And what about a revival of science and rationality? If there is to be a revival, it should be the work of free citizens. Its not the business of the government.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
It is antithetical to the idea of liberty to prevent people from gathering in public. But the right to assembly has often been at risk. Recent crackdowns against protest and dissent risk violating that right, as well as freedom of speech.
Read more at:
www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Read more at:
www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Trump’s federal crackdowns risk eroding peaceful assembly rights | Opinion
“Legal authorities should protect both protesters and counter-protesters, who each have a right to protest.”
www.sacbee.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
It is antithetical to the idea of liberty to prevent people from gathering in public. But the right to assembly has often been at risk. Recent crackdowns against protest and dissent risk violating that right, as well as freedom of speech.
Read more at:
www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Read more at:
www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Now is a crucial time to think about our basic rights. Among our rights are the rights to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government. The right to petition and assemble allows us to gather in protests, marches and demonstrations.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Trump’s federal crackdowns risk eroding peaceful assembly rights | Opinion
“Legal authorities should protect both protesters and counter-protesters, who each have a right to protest.”
www.fresnobee.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Now is a crucial time to think about our basic rights. Among our rights are the rights to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government. The right to petition and assemble allows us to gather in protests, marches and demonstrations.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Progress can and does happen. Bad laws can be repealed, bad leaders can be voted out, and wisdom can replace stupidity. But this can only happen if we are free to express ourselves.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Now is the time to speak up in defense of the Constitution, basic rights | Opinion
“The president even suggested that it is ‘illegal’ for reporters to write negative stories.“
www.fresnobee.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Progress can and does happen. Bad laws can be repealed, bad leaders can be voted out, and wisdom can replace stupidity. But this can only happen if we are free to express ourselves.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
My new book is "Christian Nationalism and the Paradox of Secularism."
It explains the Christian Nationalist challenge, while useing American sources, Christian theology, and modern political philosophy to argue against Christian nationalism.
brill.com/display/titl...
It explains the Christian Nationalist challenge, while useing American sources, Christian theology, and modern political philosophy to argue against Christian nationalism.
brill.com/display/titl...
Christian Nationalism and the Paradox of Secularism
"Christian Nationalism and the Paradox of Secularism" published on 28 Apr 2025 by Brill.
brill.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My new book is "Christian Nationalism and the Paradox of Secularism."
It explains the Christian Nationalist challenge, while useing American sources, Christian theology, and modern political philosophy to argue against Christian nationalism.
brill.com/display/titl...
It explains the Christian Nationalist challenge, while useing American sources, Christian theology, and modern political philosophy to argue against Christian nationalism.
brill.com/display/titl...
The Declaration of Independence is a secular, humanistic document. Our rights may come from God, the creator, or the laws of nature. But government is a human creation. It is “we, the people” who create governments, and alter or abolish them.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Declaration of Independence was rooted in Enlightenment ideals, not divinity | Opinion
“To suggest that these authors were inspired to create a Christian nation is simply false.”
www.fresnobee.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The Declaration of Independence is a secular, humanistic document. Our rights may come from God, the creator, or the laws of nature. But government is a human creation. It is “we, the people” who create governments, and alter or abolish them.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
As soldiers deploy on American streets and bombs rain down on foreign cities, we need to think more carefully about the justification of war. We also need to listen carefully to the critics of war, whose voices are often drowned out by the warmonger’s ranting.
andrewfiala.com/against-warm...
andrewfiala.com/against-warm...
Against Warmongering – Andrew Fiala, Ph.D.
andrewfiala.com
June 29, 2025 at 12:25 PM
As soldiers deploy on American streets and bombs rain down on foreign cities, we need to think more carefully about the justification of war. We also need to listen carefully to the critics of war, whose voices are often drowned out by the warmonger’s ranting.
andrewfiala.com/against-warm...
andrewfiala.com/against-warm...
Very few wars live up to the moral ideal. Good people die. Bad guys sometimes win. Atrocities are committed. And noble soldiers suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury. Warmongering ignores this.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
On Trump and Iran: Warmongering and the dangers of justifying violence | Opinion
“As soldiers deploy on American streets and bombs rain down on foreign cities, we need to think more carefully about the justification of war.”
www.fresnobee.com
June 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Very few wars live up to the moral ideal. Good people die. Bad guys sometimes win. Atrocities are committed. And noble soldiers suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury. Warmongering ignores this.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
In a free country, we must be allowed to pursue familial joy on our own terms.
andrewfiala.com/motherhood-a...
andrewfiala.com/motherhood-a...
Motherhood and Choice: Keeping our Eyes Wide Open – Andrew Fiala, Ph.D.
andrewfiala.com
May 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
In a free country, we must be allowed to pursue familial joy on our own terms.
andrewfiala.com/motherhood-a...
andrewfiala.com/motherhood-a...
Nihilism is a philosophical dead-end.
If we understand our unique capacity to wonder about the meaning of life, we may also realize how wonderful it is to exist as beings who think, question and create.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If we understand our unique capacity to wonder about the meaning of life, we may also realize how wonderful it is to exist as beings who think, question and create.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Fertility clinic bombing in Palm Springs sheds light on nihilistic violence | Opinion
“Pessimism and nihilism are perennial problems. They indicate a deep challenge for the human spirit.”
www.fresnobee.com
May 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Nihilism is a philosophical dead-end.
If we understand our unique capacity to wonder about the meaning of life, we may also realize how wonderful it is to exist as beings who think, question and create.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If we understand our unique capacity to wonder about the meaning of life, we may also realize how wonderful it is to exist as beings who think, question and create.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Identitarian movements can become dogmatic, fanatical, and violent. When we understand that most identities are ephemeral social constructions, we may begin to imagine a path toward peace.
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর
Once we realize that most identities are ephemeral social constructions, killing for such abstract, arbitrary, and transitory things as nations, religions, or civilizations will end.
shuddhashar.com
May 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Identitarian movements can become dogmatic, fanatical, and violent. When we understand that most identities are ephemeral social constructions, we may begin to imagine a path toward peace.
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Human beings should stop fighting about the abstractions of religion, politics, and identity. Too many tears have been shed in defense of empty words. And too much blood has been spilt over lines drawn in the sand.
shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Imagining a Pragmatic Post-Identitarian Peace - শুদ্ধস্বর
Once we realize that most identities are ephemeral social constructions, killing for such abstract, arbitrary, and transitory things as nations, religions, or civilizations will end.
shuddhashar.com
May 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Human beings should stop fighting about the abstractions of religion, politics, and identity. Too many tears have been shed in defense of empty words. And too much blood has been spilt over lines drawn in the sand.
shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
shuddhashar.com/imagining-a-...
Easter is anti-tyrannical.
If it seems that we are more Roman than Christian these days, it can help to recall that the hero of Easter is Jesus and not Pontius Pilate.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If it seems that we are more Roman than Christian these days, it can help to recall that the hero of Easter is Jesus and not Pontius Pilate.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Easter offers an extremely relevant anti-tyrannical political message | Opinion
“If it seems that we are more Roman than Christian these days, it can help to recall that the hero of Easter is Jesus and not Pontius Pilate.”
www.fresnobee.com
April 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Easter is anti-tyrannical.
If it seems that we are more Roman than Christian these days, it can help to recall that the hero of Easter is Jesus and not Pontius Pilate.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If it seems that we are more Roman than Christian these days, it can help to recall that the hero of Easter is Jesus and not Pontius Pilate.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
To be human is not to be efficient. Rather, it is love, suffer and die. And that’s what no machine can ever do.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Artificial intelligence is already changing the world. But will it change our humanity? | Opinion
“The demands that other humans make upon us are infinitely more valuable than the cult of efficiency can imagine.”
www.fresnobee.com
April 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
To be human is not to be efficient. Rather, it is love, suffer and die. And that’s what no machine can ever do.
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Here's a short overview of my new article "Toward an Ontology of Pacifism" from the Journal of Pacifism and Nonviolence:
pacifismandnonviolence.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/o...
pacifismandnonviolence.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/o...
On Exploring the Ontological Intuitions of Pacifism and Nonviolence
By Professor Andrew Fiala Fresno State University My recent article in the Journal of Pacifism and Nonviolence, “Toward an Ontology of Pacifism: Three Ontological Intuitions of the Pacifist Traditi…
pacifismandnonviolence.wordpress.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Here's a short overview of my new article "Toward an Ontology of Pacifism" from the Journal of Pacifism and Nonviolence:
pacifismandnonviolence.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/o...
pacifismandnonviolence.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/o...
My new article, "Toward an Ontology of Pacifism" explores shared ideas among pacifists: (1) that peace is a positive reality, (2) that interdependence and interrelationship are fundamental; and (3) that the entities of social and political life are socially constructed.
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com
March 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
My new article, "Toward an Ontology of Pacifism" explores shared ideas among pacifists: (1) that peace is a positive reality, (2) that interdependence and interrelationship are fundamental; and (3) that the entities of social and political life are socially constructed.
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
American politics has become deeply erotic... Erotic politics is more interested in glory than in goodness. It encourages inspiring fantasy rather than dull deliberation.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
How Donald Trump and Elon Musk inspire passions feared by America’s Founding Fathers | Opinion
“Trump inflames the emotions and provokes passion — whether you love him or hate him. He arouses rather than enlightens.”
www.fresnobee.com
March 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
American politics has become deeply erotic... Erotic politics is more interested in glory than in goodness. It encourages inspiring fantasy rather than dull deliberation.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If Trump can rename the Gulf of Mexico, why can’t a trans person adopt a new name and pronoun?
Who gets to decide true name of a thing? And who has the authority to name things.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Who gets to decide true name of a thing? And who has the authority to name things.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
If Trump can rename the Gulf of Mexico, why can’t a trans person adopt a new name and pronoun? | Opinion
“The history of the world is a struggle for the power of naming. We are in the middle of such a struggle today.”
www.fresnobee.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
If Trump can rename the Gulf of Mexico, why can’t a trans person adopt a new name and pronoun?
Who gets to decide true name of a thing? And who has the authority to name things.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
Who gets to decide true name of a thing? And who has the authority to name things.
Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
"The last king of America was a tyrant and a madman. That’s what the American rebels said about George III. Since the American colonies gained their independence, no other tyrant has been able to consolidate power in this country...."
Is this still true?
www.amazon.com/Tyranny-Plat...
Is this still true?
www.amazon.com/Tyranny-Plat...
Tyranny from Plato to Trump: Fools, Sycophants, and Citizens
www.amazon.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:39 AM
"The last king of America was a tyrant and a madman. That’s what the American rebels said about George III. Since the American colonies gained their independence, no other tyrant has been able to consolidate power in this country...."
Is this still true?
www.amazon.com/Tyranny-Plat...
Is this still true?
www.amazon.com/Tyranny-Plat...