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This week I asked a group of students at the University of Chicago a question I'm asking students around the country: Who are your heroes? There's always a long pause [...]

Analyzes the character of Gimpel in Isaac Bashevis Singer's short story "Gimpel the Fool." Focus on whether Gimpel was really a fool; Question on whether being smart or wise is great in the flawed world; Difference between Gimpel and other fools; Significance of Gimpel's good faith; Story's tribute to a classic Eastern European Jewish type; Story's rebuke of rationalism; Singer's remarks on the role of writers in rescuing civilization.

Reports on potential damage to the rational-choice theory by the book `Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory: A Critique of Applications in Political Science,' by Donald P. Green. Central notion of the theory; Theory's subsequent impact; Main contention of the book; Need for empirical proof; Fundamental debates in the rational choice field.

The article reports that structural biologist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan had advice Indians not to believe on astrology. As per Ramakrishnan, logical and rational thoughts cannot be explained by astrology. He further advices science teachers in India to tell students to rely on logical and rational thought rather than the astrology.

The article presents author's views regarding the rationality of Iran and mentions nuclear deal, Sunni insurgencies faced by Iran and chemical weapons deal.

The article offers information on a survey of French scholars, aiming to discover whether traditional forms of rational thinking were still considered appropriate to the challenges of the 1980's. The survey concludes that rational thought is alive and well in the country. Many of the respondents argued that rational inquiry was a timeless, universally applicable method.

The comic strip "This Modern World" related to modern world's conflict between rationality and irrationality, global warming and a black hole is presented.

ST. LOUIS -- The Opera Theater of St. Louis is a small, hardy institution not averse to risk. Its choice of John Adams's ''Death of Klinghoffer,'' which opened triumphantly on Wednesday, was only the latest proof. Founded in 1976 and modeled after the Santa Fe Opera, another seasonal company, the theater earned its renown by championing opera in English, including standard works sung in translation, and by offering premieres and unusual, important revivals among its steady supply of user-friendly chestnuts. Seen again on Friday, James Robinson's production of ''The Death of Klinghoffer'' seemed even more insightful and humane, the ensemble more assured, the technical issues of the premiere largely resolved. You marveled anew at Christopher Magiera's nobility as the Captain; Brian Mulligan's penetrating eloquence as Leon Klinghoffer; and the emotional nuance Nancy Maultsby brought to the role of Marilyn Klinghoffer. But you were reminded by empty seats that this opera's rehabilitation remains a work in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the author focuses on Rabindranath Tagore, a poet-philosopher who was the first Nobel laureate in Asia, and on the Indo-Bangladesh commemoration of his 150th birth in Dhaka on May 6, 2011. The author says that the balance to the patriotism of Tagore was brought by his inclination for rationalism and humanism. He adds that the presence of Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari in the celebration was an occasion where two South Asian neighbors celebrate their common culture.

The article explores the stories of atheists who were Christian believers who lost their faith and ultimately became convinced by Christianity. British biographer A. N. Wilson lost his faith in the 1980s but became Roman Catholic, which he attributes to the confidence he has gained with age. Other converts include free-thinking lecturer Thomas Cooper and secularist George Sexton. It is suggested that those who recanted their atheism realized that their rationalistic method was too narrow.

The article presents information on the economist's model of the informal market for marriage partners. The market resembles the supply and demand model of economic goods, which assume that people are rational and narrowly self-interested, like the homo economicus. Economic analysis of commitment problem that arises in searches for partners indicate the reluctance of rational person to marry homo economicus.

Presents information on the threats posed by rational analysis to creativity based on the book "Innovation: The Missing Dimension," by Richard K. Lester.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article written by Jacob Neusner in the November 18, 1974 issue.

The article presents a letter from Herbert A. Simon, professor of computer science and psychology at Carnege Mellon University, to Boris F. Lomov, director of the Institute of Psychology of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, which explains his reasons for refusal to contribute an article to the institute's journal. He relates his refusal to accept the invitation with the denial of the government to the basic rights to free thought and speech of the Soviet people.