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
Impeachment as a Means to an End
The value of the impeachment hearings extends well beyond the immediate political horizon. It is not a tool in service of a particular end, but a communicative symbol to the world.
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.
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
Forget PINs, Forget Passwords
From bias to privacy, the move to using behavioral biometrics for digital security has a number of ethical implications.
“OK Boomer” and the Generational Divide
Battle lines are being drawn, but what is the generational conflict really all about?
Pope Francis, Edward Gallagher, and Just War Theory
From the case of Edward Gallagher to recent statements by the Pope, current events encourage reflection on what it means to wage war ethically.
Impeachment as a Means to an End
The value of the impeachment hearings extends well beyond the immediate political horizon. It is not a tool in service of a particular end, but a communicative symbol to the world.
Black Friday and Ethical Consumption
Being an ethical consumer requires more than purchasing sustainable products fairly made.
Freedom of Speech and Sexist Tweets
Rasmusen's role as educator complicates his right to expression as a private citizen. Legality points one way; morality may point another.