Carl Young, Associate Professor of Classics, delves into mythology and philosophy. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?

My dad was a police officer and a competitive pistol and rifle shooter, so most of our family vacations were spent going to shooting competitions. I basically grew up on a range, watching my dad compete in shooting. I think fondly of that.

What mythical creature would you have as a pet or friend?

I think it might be a centaur; it would be Chiron. They’re cool and you could maybe ride one, and if it’s Chiron he could teach you everything you need to know about being a warrior and a hero. 

What other careers interest you? 

I almost pursued a career in intelligence. I was in the army for a while before I went to school, and I was in military intelligence. When I got out of the army, I actually applied to and was accepted into some government intelligence agencies. 

What’s the best and worst thing a student can do in class?

The thing that annoys me the most is when students don’t prepare and just show up and take up space. My favorite thing is when students disagree and debate me, push back and find out why I say the things I say in class. 

What’s your favorite smell?

Right now, I really like the smell of my new puppy, Fritz. He’s a German short-haired pointer. Other favorite smells — bourbon. It’s a weird smell, but I like the smell of a weight room. 

What’s your favorite myth?

I suppose the one that comes to mind most immediately is the myth of Oedipus. What makes Oedipus a hero? He’s unlike other heroes, and what makes him one is he solves the riddle, he answers the question of the sphinx. What makes him a hero is knowledge. But what is his reward for that knowledge? It’s this horrible, terrible suffering; he ends up killing his father, having incest with his mother. I think what appeals to me about that is the suffering that comes from knowledge and the tragic aspect to it. 

What makes your day better?

Good conversations with students, with colleagues, with my family. That’s what I love about this place. I have great conversations in class, I have great conversations around the water cooler with my colleagues. 

What class at the college would you take?

For one thing, I need to work on my German, so I would take classes in the German department.