Featured
Natural Law Theory and Human Rights Advocacy
How should we understand the relation between law and morality? And what might this answer mean for human rights?
Disagreements in Ethical Reasoning: Opinion and Inquiry
Disagreement about our moral duties and obligations is inevitable. But this does not show that morality is a matter of opinion or that ethics is subjective.
The Free-Speech Defense and a Defense of Free Speech
Mill endorsed free and open debate as a machine capable of refining and reinforcing truth. There were, however, limits. On his view, political correctness is not a restriction of free speech but a basic tenet.
Opinion
Morality on the Side: Peter Handke and the Nobel Prize
Literary criticism often encourages us to separate the art from the artist, but the Nobel Committee's recognition of Peter Handke makes the issue bigger than what's on the page.
Climate Emergency and the Case for Civil Disobedience
Continued political inactivity to confront the growing climate crisis may mean that participation in demonstration is not simply permissible, but may be morally obligatory.
The Trump/Zelensky Exchange: The “Though” Makes It Quid Pro Quo
Does the transcript exonerate the president as his supporters have claimed? And what's the big deal if it doesn't?
Culture
Moral and Existential Lessons from “Chernobyl”
The miniseries takes up a number of philosophical themes (e.g., what it means to know, the nature of authority, the virtue of humility), but chief among these is our existential confrontation with the Absurd.
The Ethics of Scientific Advice: Lessons from “Chernobyl”
HBO's miniseries offers a new opportunity to revisit an age-old debate: Should we keep value judgments out of science? Can we?
Are Loot Boxes “Quite Ethical”?
Recent rulings have called the loot box mechanics used in franchises like FIFA and Star Wars Battlefront "gambling for children." What's the danger?
Recent
Commodification and Exploitation in Egg Donation
Egg donation holds invaluable promise for many, but it is also rife with societal implications for all.
Is the “Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act” a Step in...
Recent federal legislation aimed at safeguarding animal welfare and criminalizing torture and cruelty promises much and delivers little.
Marieke Vervoort and Deciding How to Die
The recent passing of Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort prompts reflection on the thorny issues surrounding aid in dying legislation.
MDs vs. NDs: On the Regulation of Naturopathic Medicine
NDs and MDs are both concerned for the public's health and patient autonomy, but is formally distinguishing NDs from unlicensed practitioners an advancement of, or a hindrance to, those goals?
CRISPR and the Ethics of Science Hype
Sensationalism of budding science and developing technology is only becoming more exaggerated. And CRISPR is no exception.
Transactionalism in U.S. Foreign Policy
The Trump-Ukraine scandal is just the most recent example of the transactional stance the U.S. has taken with regard to foreign aid. What implications might this shift have for the global community?