Daniel J. Kirchner is a Senior Lewis Lecturer in the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky, where he teaches teach environmental and food ethics. He believes values underlie the beliefs which drive the actions one takes. His goal as a teacher is to guide each student toward deeper understanding of that set of connections so that they can apply their education to what they find meaningful to do in the world. As a philosopher, he aims aim to show students how to know and critically evaluate the systems in which they will do those meaningful things so that they can be thoughtful and effective. And as an ethicist, he creates opportunities for them to engage in the difficult and vulnerable work of considering their own values as the foundation for these actions.