Category Archives: Ethics

‘Don’t Fight the Stupidity’ and Other Relevant Bonhoeffer Advice

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Tim Snyder in Sojourners (thanks to Mary Jane F.) As a theologian, I get nervous when reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer becomes all too relevant. I’m the kind of theologian who would rather not find myself in what some scholars refer … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Essays, Ethics, Government, History, Religion | Leave a comment

I Ran U.S.A.I.D. Killing It Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere.

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Samantha Power in the NYT (Thanks to Diana C.) Ms. Power was the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development in the Biden administration. We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Ethics, Food, Government, Health, Justice, Kindness, Morality, Philanthropy, Poverty, Social justice | Comments Off on I Ran U.S.A.I.D. Killing It Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere.

CDC Data Are Disappearing

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow. By Katherine J. Wu (Thanks to Ed M.) The CDC campus in Atlanta (Smith Collection / Gado / Getty) Last night, scientists began to hear cryptic and foreboding warnings … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Government, Health | Comments Off on CDC Data Are Disappearing

Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: This talk was recently presented at the UW Bioethics Grand Rounds. Although intended for a medical audience, you may find it of interest. Robert Klitzman, MDProfessor of PsychiatryDirector, Bioethics Masters ProgramColumbia University

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Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Jim deMaine

A bombshell story last night from the Wall Street Journal reported that billionaire Elon Musk, one of the richest men in the world, who is backing the election of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with a daily million-dollar sweepstakes giveaway … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Government, Politics | 2 Comments

My Grandma Has Dementia. Should I Help Her Vote?

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Jim deMaine

By Kwame Anthony Appiah, The Ethicist in the NYT My grandma has relatively advanced Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss. At 97, she’s still present enough to recognize her loved ones and enjoy our company, but it’s becoming nearly impossible to communicate … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Dementia, Ethics, Government, Voting | 1 Comment

Octopuses used in research could receive same protections as monkeys

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. A giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is weighed and tagged by a biologist.Credit: Fred Bavendam/Minden Pictures/Alamy Cephalopods such as octopuses and squid could soon receive the same legal protection as mice and monkeys do when they … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Ethics, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Octopuses used in research could receive same protections as monkeys

How Musk’s Starlink became a security liability for the U.S.

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Here on Earth, the satellites that make up Starlink look like a string of stars traveling across the night sky. More than 4,000 of them are circling Earth in low orbit right now. They’re part of the private venture that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Government, technology, War | Comments Off on How Musk’s Starlink became a security liability for the U.S.

Clarence Thomas hikes the price of Supreme Court decisions to keep pace with inflation

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. (from the Borowitz Report)   Clarence Thomas Hikes Price of Supreme Court Decisions to Keep Pace with Inflation   “Sadly, the days of shredding civil rights in exchange for ten private-jet flights are over,” the Justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Government, Law | Comments Off on Clarence Thomas hikes the price of Supreme Court decisions to keep pace with inflation