What Matters Most

Boston College professor addresses students on “What Thinkers Are You Letting Into Your Life?”
Boston College philosophy professor Kerry Cronin challenged students to consider what they choose to think about in a thought-provoking lecture, part of the Montrose School LifePortraits Speaker Series.

“Sometimes we pay attention to things that aren’t important,” she noted. “How do we pay attention to the right things, to things that are worthwhile?” Citing Aristotle, she explained that we are free to choose what we pay attention to, which means that we are responsible for this choice. “If you only like to think about shallow things, you’re going to make yourself into someone who cannot think about things that are worthwhile.”

Professor Cronin gave an example of an anecdote from her niece, who had a job at an expensive clothes store. Her niece told her that while it was a good job, she decided to stop working there, as the work made her think all the time about the clothes and items from the store that she wanted.

“You have to hold on tight to the real estate of your psyche,” Professor Cronin went on. “Everything we do expands something in us - either it expands passion, humility, courage, nobility, goodness, love and kindness - or it expands meanness, covetousness, shallowness, exclusivity, self-righteousness.” She explained that American culture isn’t oriented to what is beautiful, but more often toward what is fun.

“What do you want to become? A person who is trustworthy, loyal, kind, smart, ethical, who knows what is right and good,” Professor Cronin said. “That does not just happen. You have to pay attention to what you let into your life.” She concluded by listing the top five people she is currently looking to for inspiration, who ranged from her grandmother to Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Dr. Cronin earned her B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy and her PhD in Education from Boston College.  She currently teaches there as a professor of philosophy and theology, and is renowned among BC students for her seminar that includes the “dating assignment,” in which each student is required to take another student on a date in order to pass the class.
Back
An independent school for girls in grades 6-12
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church