Tag Archives: Consequentialism
Climate Wars Ethics: Gleick’s Lie, and the Death of Trust
A distinguished climate scientist showed that he would lie in the interest of his cause. Once that line has been crossed, there can be no trust. Continue reading
The Third Annual Ethics Alarms Awards: The Worst of Ethics 2011 (Part 2)
The second and final part of the Ethics Alarms 2011 Worsts. The Bests will be here soon! Continue reading
Roger Williams, Consequentialism, and “Born Free”
Pianist Roger Williams (1924-2011) got kicked out of Drake, and thank goodness he did. Continue reading
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Education, Popular Culture
Ethics Confusion in Ken Burns’ “Prohibition”
In the end, just as Prohibition did more harm than good, “Prohibition” is far more good than bad. It’s great history, and even a flawed Ken Burns documentary is a masterpiece compared to most of his competition. You should see it; I plan to watch it again. When you do, however, remember that the lessons of this history are more complex than “Prohibition” makes them out to be. Continue reading
Terry Francona, Accountability, and Moral Luck
Manager Terry Francona wasn’t responsible for what happened to the Boston Red Sox, but he is accountable. That is as it should be. Continue reading
The Shannon Stone Tragedy Ethics Quiz, Part II
Many commenters were upset with me for characterizing the tragic death of Shannon Stone, who fell to his death while trying to catch a ball during a Texas Rangers game, as the result of his own bad judgment, suggesting that I was impugning the character of a dead man. (I wasn’t.) That reaction sparks the second Ethics Alarms quiz question relating to the incident. Continue reading
Filed under Journalism & Media, Professions, Quizzes, Sports
No, It Still Doesn’t Justify Torture
Where torture by a nation dedicated to preservation of each human being’s inalienable rights is concerned, the end never justifies the means. Even if the end is the death of Osama bin Laden. Continue reading
