Monthly Archives: April 2011
Fake Pregnancy, Real Deception, Real Harm
This false pregnancy senior project was ethically misguided in every way: irresponsible, dishonest, unfair. It trivialized teen pregnancy, and played with people’s emotions for no legitimate purpose whatsoever, while teaching the false lesson that it is justifiable to deceive others, perhaps causing them emotional distress, for narrow personal goals. Continue reading
Quote of the Day: Theodore Roosevelt
On this date in 1910, former President Theodore Roosevelt made his famous “Man in the Arena” speech, one of the most inspiring calls to courage and personal character ever spoken. Continue reading
Filed under Government & Politics, History, Leadership, Professions, Quotes, U.S. Society
If President Obama Is So Smart, Why Does He Keep Doing the Same Dumb, Unethical Thing?
Last week, President Obama publicly declared a prisoner guilty of a serious crime for which he has yet to be tried. Continue reading
E-Mail Revelations: Prof. Ellen Lewin’s Unprofesssional Intolerance
Ellen Lewin, a University of Iowa Professor of Anthropology and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies in the Department of Gender, was so enraged by an e-mail invitation sent to the entire campus by the student Republican group that she fired off an e-mail in reply that said, succinctly, “FUCK YOU, REPUBLICANS!” The young Republicans circulated the e-mail, and now many people and groups are calling for her dismissal. The incident has raised more ethical questions than mere civility. Continue reading
Terry Jones’ Next Irresponsible Protest: Legal? Sure. Stupid? Yes. Ethical? Of Course Not.
Like Fred Phelps and his cult’s putrid disruptions of veteran funerals, Rev. Terry Jones is an example of how America is bound to permit irresponsible as well as responsible speech under the protection of the First Amendment. Continue reading
Ethics Dunce: Daily Kos Blogger “bal”
The Daily Kos blogger holds that if one receives a benefit in one’s youth, it is hypocrisy to advocate in favor of reforming, reducing or ending that benefit years later. What does this mean in practical terms? It means that if one accepts aid during a difficult time in one’s life, one is ethically bound to advocate the virtues of the program involved forever, or be judged a hypocrite. Continue reading
