The Ethics of Parenting: A Philosophy Professor on Truth, Values, and Modern Fatherhood

What happens when an ethics professor becomes a parent? In this deeply personal conversation, Katia reunites with her former college professor, Dr. J. Colin McQuillan, to explore the intersection of philosophical thinking and real-world parenting.

As chair of the Philosophy Department at St. Mary’s University, Colin has spent his career examining ethical frameworks and moral theory. But becoming a father to his six-year-old daughter brought challenges that no textbook could prepare him for—from navigating the unpredictability of childhood to confronting the relentless nature of 24/7 caregiving.
This episode tackles the big questions parents face today:

1. How do we raise ethically grounded children in an age of misinformation and political polarization?
2. What role do fathers play in reshaping traditional gender roles and emotional labor in families?
3. And how can we teach our children to care about truth and justice when the world often feels overwhelming?

Through candid reflections on everything from his daughter’s unexpected love of fashion to the deeper struggles of teaching children right from wrong, Colin offers a philosophical perspective on parenting that is both intellectually rigorous and refreshingly honest. Whether you’re a parent grappling with how to talk to your kids about difficult topics, an educator thinking about moral development, or simply someone interested in ethics and family life, this conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about the values we pass on to the next generation.

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SHOW NOTES:
00:00 - Katia Catch-Up
05:05 - Opening tradition: The unapparent truth of parenting
09:16 - From theory to reality
18:31 - Teaching values in a troubled world
21:45 - Navigating difficult conversations: Age-appropriate ways to talk to children about racism, war, inequality, and injustice while balancing protection with honest education 37:21 - Modern fatherhood and gender roles
43:22 - The misinformation challenge
44:26 - The most important value
46:29 - Current projects and closing