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.
The Remarkable Odyssey of a Solid Gold Toilet
The recent theft of a seven-million dollar golden toilet named America is chock-full of symbolism.
Iris Murdoch and the Moral Dimensions of Literature
Is morality to be found in abstracted and universalizable concepts and theories, or in the subjective, situatedness of characters rooted in their earthly contexts? What can literature tell us about our moral universe?
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?
Refusal to Repatriate: The Owning, Lending, and Stealing of Art
The ongoing debate over colonial repatriation requires that we confront our history of imperialism. On what grounds can one own another's cultural heritage?
On Julia le Duc’s Photograph and the Choice Not to View...
What are the duties of news organizations and photographers? What are the rights of viewers? And what obligation do we have as humans to bear witness to tragedy and suffering?
Ali Stroker, Radio City Music Hall, and the Value of Accessibility
The recent Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall have drawn attention to ableism concerns within the entertainment industry. What is so troubling about Ali Stroker's example and what makes access so meaningful?
Free Speech and Good Omens
The recent petition by Return to Order demanding the cancellation of Good Omens by Netflix raises questions about free speech and art. What are the motivations, obligations, and limitations in protesting hurtful art?
What Technological Dystopias Can Tell Us About Human Values
The vision of technological dystopia presented by Black Mirror covers diverse topics ranging from the nature of consciousness to the essence of parenting.