Ethics Sage provides amazing guidance and insight into the days ethical questions. Written by Dr. Steven Mintz, from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, his blog was recently named one of the Top 20 Philosophy Blogs in 2019 by Voucher.co.id. It is not hard to see why. Dr. Mintz does an amazing job writing in a way that is easy to read and connecting the information to what is happening today. We wanted to know more about Ethics Sage so we asked! We hope you enjoy our interview with Dr. Mintz and can get some inspiration for your blog.
1) Can you tell us about yourself and your blog? Is it just you writing your blog or do you have a team that helps?
I am a professor emeritus from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. I started blogging under the name “Ethics Sage” twelve years ago to share my thoughts about ethics in society, the workplace and in higher education. For the most part I am the only one taking care of writing blogs, but do use guest bloggers for my Workplace Ethics Advice blog. Readers are also free to send me questions and I answer them without divulging any names.
2) Why did you start your blog? Can you tell us the back story to Ethics Sage? How did you get that name?
Academic publishing appeals to a limited group of readers. I started blogging to reach a broader commercial audience. Blogging is my way to contribute to the dialogue about how we can enhance the well-being of ourselves and others by following an ethical path. I chose the name Ethics Sage because the purpose of my blogs is to share my wisdom on all things ethical.
3) What is your process for writing a blog post?
Writing a blog post begins with identifying a topic of interest to the community. I read the news feeds every morning to get ideas. Next, I outline the points I want to make limiting myself, whenever possible, to 500-700 words. I write the first draft, sleep on it, and review and post it the next day or later in the week.
4) How do you find fresh ethical, philosophical ideas to write about?
There’s no problem finding fresh ideas about ethics and philosophy. As a society, we have lost our moral compass and every day we learn about improper behavior by our political leaders, companies, sports figures, those in entertainment and so on. I also look for topics that related to civility, which is also in decline in society. I frequently write about civility along the lines that we, as a society, need to learn how to disagree with each other without being disagreeable.
5) What is your favorite feature in Typepad?
Typepad is simple to use and post to social media. As a non-techie, it’s important for me to navigate the system without needing a website support system. Typepad also has great customer service and responds to questions immediately.
6) What is the most important thing you have learned from blogging?
Be sensitive to your audience and write what they want to read, not necessarily what I want to write about. Sometimes I will ask readers if there are any topics/controversial issues that they would like to learn more about or to find out about my thoughts on these matters.
7) You have a few minutes, what is your go to tip about blogging?
There are five steps I use to guide my blogs that are transferable to other bloggers.
1) Write an engaging headline. Grab the attention of your readers right away.
2) Write short paragraphs. This helps improve the flow of your blog and it’s easier to read.
3) Use subheadings whenever possible. This helps to organize ideas and key readers about what’s coming next.
4) Use images. This tends to attract readers attention and help them decide whether to read your blog.
5) Spend time learning how to maximize your SEO ranking.
8) What blogs do you follow?
I follow blogs in my field. I subscribe to them and frequently make comments on their blogs to gain visibility for myself and my blogs. A word of caution here is that you have to limit the number of blogs you follow because it can consume a lot more time than you want or should spend.
10) What is one goal for your blog in the next 6 months?
I’ve just written a book on how ethics can help enhance one’s happiness and gain greater meaning in life. The book is Beyond Happiness and Meaning: Transforming Your Life Through Ethical Behavior. It is available for sale on Amazon and on my website (stevenmintzethics.com). My goal is to use my blogging to build interest in my book and engage with my readers to learn what reading the book meant to them. In other words, the blogs should help market the book and the message of the book should guide me in future blogs.
11) Who or what inspires you to keep blogging?
I am inspired by my readers who have commented positively on the issues addressed in my blogs. I’m always looking to reach out to new audiences to gain exposure for my ideas and help readers improve their daily lives, relationships with family members and friends, workplace interactions and on social media. Even though my blogs are on ethics and philosophy, they are written in an engaging format – not preachy. Readers share their thoughts with me and their positive feedback keeps me blogging.
More about Ethics Sage
Ethics Sage addresses some of the most pressing issues facing society, how to develop an ethical workplace culture, and academic freedom and integrity. It has received awards for being the best in their field, including for philosophy, corporate social responsibility, and higher education. Readers can learn more about them on my website (stevenmintzethics.com). Readers can also sign up for my monthly newsletter on my website
More about Dr. Steven Mintz
Steven Mintz is a professor emeritus from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He received his doctoral degree from The George Washington University. A well-known researcher in ethics, Dr. Mintz has published dozens of articles on ethics in society, in business, and accounting ethics, as well as a textbook titled Ethical Obligations and Decision Making in Accounting: Text and Cases. His first book for a commercial audience is Beyond Happiness and Meaning: Transforming Your Life Through Ethical Behavior. Dr. Mintz has been recognized for his work, including the Accounting Exemplar Award from the Public Interest Section of the American Accounting Association, an award that distinguishes him as a role model to others.
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