Publications
& Interviews
My research and publications covered a number of areas: ethics and contemporary culture, comedy, and critical thinking pedagogy. I edited three books and I was sought after for comments and insights about a variety of topics.
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Book
2023 Outstanding Academic Text by CHOICE Magazine
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Watching television need not be a passive activity or simply for entertainment purposes. Television can be the site of important identity work and moral reflection. Audiences can learn about themselves, what matters to them, and how to relate to others by thinking about the implicit and explicit moral messages in the shows they watch. Better Living through TV: Contemporary TV and Moral Identity Formation analyzes the possibility of identifying and adopting moral values from television shows that aired during the latest Golden Era of television and Peak TV. The diversity of shows and approaches to moral becoming demonstrate how television during these eras took advantage of new technologies to become more film-like in both production quality and content. The increased depth of characterization and explosion of content across streaming and broadcast channels gave viewers a diversity of worlds and moral values to explore. The possibility of finding a moral in the stories told on popular shows such as The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Wire, and The Good Place, as well as lesser known shows such as Letterkenny and The Unicorn, are explored in a way that centers television viewing as a site for moral identity formation.
Book
All humans laugh. However, there is little agreement about what is appropriate to laugh at. While laughter can unite people by showing how they share values and perspectives, it is also has the power to separate and divide. Humor that "crosses the line" can make people feel excluded and humiliated. This collection of new essays addresses possible ways that moral and ethical lines can be drawn around humor and laughter. What would a Kantian approach to humor look like? Do games create a safe space for profanity and offense? Contributors to this volume work to establish and explain guidelines for thinking about the moral questions that arise when humor and laughter intersect with medicine, gender, race, and politics. Drawing from the work of stand-up comedians, television shows, and ethicists, this volume asserts that we are never just joking.
Book
The Good Place is a fantasy-comedy TV show about the afterlife. Eleanor dies and finds herself in the Good Place, which she understands must be mistake, since she has been anything but good. In the surprise twist ending to Season One, it is revealed that this is really the Bad Place, but the demon who planned it was frustrated, because the characters didn’t torture each other mentally as planned, but managed to learn how to live together.
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This collection of essays explores philosophical questions about the nature of punishment, immortality and identity, intersections between the show and Hinduism, free will, the moral rightness of torture, moral development, flaws in moral theory, authenticity and what it means to live for others, redemption, the impossibility of doing good in an impermeant world, the possible rightness of lying, and the relationship between the individual and the community.
New York Times
The article examines the ethical dilemma of using food delivery services during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the risks faced by delivery workers. Steven Benko, a professor of religious and ethical studies, emphasizes the need for people to think more socially, considering the broader public health consequences of their choices. He argues that consumers should consider how their actions impact others, especially those who risk their health to provide essential services. | PDF
Atlantic
In Amanda Mull’s article, she explores the ethical dilemma of ordering food delivery during the coronavirus pandemic, especially in light of the risks posed to delivery workers. I am quoted in the piece where I stress that we need to think more socially than ever before—considering the impact of our actions not just on ourselves, but on the workers who are exposed to higher risks to ensure we have access to food. I point out that, in a system where many gig workers lack health insurance, their health and well-being are directly tied to their labor, which makes the ethical calculus of ordering delivery much more complex. I also highlight the importance of supporting local restaurants and service workers, particularly during a time when their health is being jeopardized to help others. Ultimately, I call for greater recognition of the essential role these workers play, and for consumers to remember them as the crisis passes. | PDF
The AP
In this article, Ted Anthony explores the ongoing tension between individual rights and the common good in American society, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I argue that this historical tug-of-war has taken on new urgency, with some Americans rejecting government-imposed measures like lockdowns and mask mandates, while others see these as necessary for public safety. The article highlights the challenge of reconciling American ideals of rugged individualism with the need for collective cooperation in crisis situations, a dilemma that has resurfaced throughout U.S. history.
Chronicle for Higher Ed
In Chris Quintana's article, he highlights the contributions of philosophy professors Pamela Hieronymi and Todd May in shaping the philosophical backbone of The Good Place. I am quoted in the piece, discussing how the show’s portrayal of moral philosophy has influenced my own teaching, particularly in my "Religious Ethics and Social Issues" course, where The Good Place serves as a central text alongside works by Aristotle and Hume. The article also explores how the show’s complex characters and ethical dilemmas provide a rich context for understanding philosophical concepts in an engaging and relatable way. | PDF
Christian Science Monitor
In this article, Harry Bruinius examines the shift in political comedy toward more aggressive, Juvenalian satire, with late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert leading the charge. I argue that this shift is driven by the need for comedians to stand out in a competitive media environment, where edgier humor is more likely to capture attention and build a following. However, I caution that while this style of humor may energize certain audiences, it risks deepening political divides and diminishing the persuasive power of satire. | PDF
Higher Education Today
In this article, Julie Schrock and I discuss our collaborative work on fostering meaningful classroom participation. We emphasize the importance of structure and intentionality in engaging students, advocating for a participatory model where students self-assess and contribute both in and outside the classroom. While we acknowledge challenges, such as the need to recognize diverse forms of participation, we believe that fostering genuine conversation and ensuring that participation isn't merely an assignment but a community-building process, is key to effective learning. | PDF
Variety
In this article, Brian Steinberg discusses the evolving landscape of late-night comedy in light of Donald Trump's election victory. Comedians who have spent months mocking Trump and his supporters now face the challenge of acknowledging that a significant portion of the country supports his campaign, raising questions about how humor can navigate political divides. I highlight the importance of avoiding elite condescension in comedy and emphasize the need for humor that doesn't alienate viewers but rather invites a broader, more inclusive dialogue. | PDF
Christian Science Monitor
In this article, Husna Haq examines the complex debate over how society should respond to inflammatory speech, particularly when it involves race, gender, or sexuality. I argue that while public outrage and the resulting consequences, such as public shaming, are common, they often miss addressing the deeper, more systemic issues underlying these comments. The focus on these high-profile scandals, like those involving Donald Sterling and Paula Deen, reveals an ongoing struggle between protecting free speech and maintaining a tolerant, pluralistic society.
WUNC (NPR)
Depending on where you live, your community may have ended its mandate to wear a mask in public. But the pandemic isn't over and vulnerable people can still get sick or die. So what is our responsibility to the greater good? Host Will Michaels talks with Steven Benko, a professor of religious and ethical studies at Meredith College, about the morality, utility, and social dynamics of wearing a mask without a mandate.
WUNC (NPR)
Depending on where you live, your community may have ended its mandate to wear a mask in public. But the pandemic isn't over and vulnerable people can still get sick or die. So what is our responsibility to the greater good? Host Will Michaels talks with Steven Benko, a professor of religious and ethical studies at Meredith College, about the morality, utility, and social dynamics of wearing a mask without a mandate.
WUNC (NPR)
Governments are trying to develop a pattern of COVID-19 vaccine distribution that satisfies a variety of interested parties. Meredith College Religious and Ethical Studies Professor Steve Benko tells host Dave DeWitt that the most efficient system isn’t always the most equitable.
Podcast: I Think Therefore I Fan
In this episode Richard Greene and Rachel Robinson-Greene interview me and Andrew Pavelich about our interest in pop culture and our edited volume, Get an Afterlife: The Good Place and Philosophy.
