Category · 47 questions
Ethics
Trolley problems and torture. Right and wrong when the answer isn’t obvious.
In this section
47 entries#CakeGate: can you refuse service on the basis of faith?
The cake that Colorado baker Jack Phillips refused to bake was the kindling that lit a nation-wide discussion in the USA. Can a business deny service to an individual on the basis of their sexual orientation? As the Supreme Court came to a verdict in favour of the baker, the narrowness of the ruling still left the question unanswered. The baker was quickly followed by others who stood up in solidarity of his beliefs such as the Richland florist and the Kentucky county clerk. The resultant discussion has pitted religious freedom against the civil liberties of same-sex couples and LGBT individuals.
Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Zoos can be a fun trip for any age, young or old. It may be the only chance most people will be able to see various exotic animals from around the world. Yet, they have also been known to be unethical or dangerous for both the animals and people. What are the sides to the zoo debate? Are zoos truly bad?
Can terrorism ever be justified?
The aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States has placed terrorism on the philosophical agenda. While the definition of terrorism remains contested, there are different stances on whether terrorism can ever be morally justified.
Can the Holocaust be forgiven?
As a result of the Holocaust, over 6 million innocent Jews perished under Nazi rule. Beyond that, millions of innocent civilians were also murdered under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Examining this massacre's atrocities and lasting trauma begs a tough question. Who, if anyone, should be forgiven of their involvement in the Holocaust?
Can you trust a recovered drug addict?
Drug addicts are known to be pathological liars. They will say anything to get more drugs or get out of trouble. However, people who experience addiction are often radically different people once they’re sober. So can you trust a former addict? Do you discount their past and let them start fresh, or do you make them earn back your trust? At what point can you actually trust the former drug addict? These questions are important because of the sheer number of addicts we have in America today.
Do theodicies explain why God allows evil in the world?
A theodicy is a story that attempts to demonstrate that the presence of evil in the world does not disprove the existence of a perfectly good, almighty, and all-knowing God. Theodicies and defences are two forms of response to this conundrum. Evil can be classified into natural evil such as disease and physical catastrophes or moral evil, which can be summed up as "man's inhumanity to man."
Does "pure evil" exist?
The concept of "pure evil" has been an inexhaustible source of debate across philosophical, psychological, social, and religious communities. Definitions of "pure evil" vary, but most tend to include the stipulation that it describes an action that causes suffering and is performed for the sake of causing that suffering.
Does the marketplace of ideas work?
The 'marketplace of ideas' theory argues that truth is found where opinions intersect. It is the figurative arena in which all can share their opinions, subjecting them to rational, public debate. In the same way that quality goods and services rise to the top in a free market economy, so this theory sees ideas as subject to the same rigorous competition. Popular ideas are considered "truths" insofar as they rise on the back of reason. These truths are essential for society to progress. Does the marketplace of ideas work?
Is abortion ethical?
There are debates all over the world about whether or not abortion should be legal, and many people pick which side based on their feelings on the morality of abortion. Frequently, the debate centers around disagreements of the moral status of the fetus, and at what point it has all the rights of an adult. Other ethical debates focus on the rights of the mother or the circumstances of conception.
Is adultery wrong?
Is adultery always morally wrong? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that adultery is wrong, and that it is not — weighing betrayal and broken commitment against more permissive views of fidelity.
Is advertising morally wrong?
Advertising is ubiquitous to modern day society. You would be hard-pressed to go a day or even an hour without seeing some form of advertising. However, the whole point of advertising is to manipulate our minds into largely pointless purchases. Should we condone the amount of advertising we see? Is advertising wrong?
Is affirmative action racist?
Affirmative action is a policy in which an individual's race, sex, religion or national origin are taken into account to increase opportunities provided to an underrepresented group in society. It is used to encourage diversity and equality. Affirmative action can most often be seen in academic institutions, such as college admissions, scholarships and programs.
Is cannibalism ethical?
Cannibalism - the practice of eating human flesh - is illegal in every country on Earth. What does the morality look like if cannibalism is for survival? What about in matters of life and death? Should having the victim's consent impact the way it is viewed?
Is CRISPR human genome editing technology ethical?
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a new technology that allows scientists to edit human DNA. CRISPR poses many ethical concerns regarding its abilities to permanently alter germlines, eradicate certain genetic conditions, and even enhance certain physical traits.
Is direct democracy superior to representative democracy?
At a time when voters are increasingly disengaged from the political process and disillusioned with their elected officials, many are starting to question whether direct democracy could hold the answer to solving the problem of the growing democratic malaise.
Is factory farming a requirement in the 21st century?
The 21st century is turning out to be a watershed moment in history for bringing to light new sensibilities and heightened awareness about different issues. Factory farming, a technique that has allowed large scale mass production of livestock has divided society right down the middle in terms of its necessity.
Is hunting ethical?
Is hunting ethical? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that hunting is ethical, and that it is not — covering conservation, tradition, animal welfare and the ethics of killing for sport.
Is it ethical to have children?
The ethical debate over childbearing has many aspects, including parental motives, the autonomy of the mother, the ability to provide for children, and the environmental catastrophe. Some argue that having children is a biological drive rather than a moral decision.
Is it ethical to have pickup and delivery services available during the coronavirus pandemic?
With delivery and pick up services, we expose the employee to social interaction and increase the contagion's possibilities. However, it is also ensuring the person remains employed during the crisis. It's obvious that the job is justified if it is a necessity, but what about clothes, books, and other non-essential items?
Is it ethical to stockpile groceries during the coronavirus crisis?
All around the world we are seeing images of emptied supermarket shelves as people prepare for lockdowns. Is it ethical to ensure you have enough supplies for your family without regards to others? Or is it unethical not to think of other (potentially more disadvantaged) people's needs?
Is lying ever justified?
“Lying is bad.” Almost every child has heard this phrase or some variation of it. We are taught from a young age that the truth is important and that lying is unethical. Yet, lies can have purposes, and sometimes the truth can cause harm. Therefore, can lying be justifiable?
Is money the root of all evil?
It could be argued that we have an increasing attachment to material wealth, and some people may do all within their power to gain and retain wealth. This question explores the relationship between money and unethical behaviour. It invites us to consider whether the former is the sole and principal cause of the latter.
Is morality relative?
Morality informs countless aspects of our lives, from the way we interact with others to the way we think about ourselves. But does our concept of morality objectively reflect absolute ideals of good and evil, or is it a shifting, arbitrary rulebook that varies from culture to culture?
Is rioting ever justified?
Throughout the world, riots have erupted in reaction to injustice experienced by the population from those in power. Many are quick to suggest that the violent nature of the protest takes away from the cause. Others point to the real political change that arises from protesters' (and rioters') demands. But is rioting ever justified?
Is the practice of eugenics ethical?
It is difficult to disconnect the 20th century's unethical genetic practices from any modern discussion of eugenics. This history makes many people uncomfortable with the idea of genetic engineering. Since then, scientific practices have become far more ethical. Do modern eugenics overshadow the unethical past? Will the practice of eugenics always be unethical?
Is torture ever justified?
Torture is the intentional use of extreme physical suffering on a non-consenting, defenceless person for the purpose of breaking their will. While it is a horrific act, defendants argue that torture can produce information that is extremely valuable to governments and can save many lives.
Is war ethical?
War can be an act of aggression by a nation or often a last resort of nations dealing with conflict. With terrible human and other costs, is war ever justified or ethical?
Should countries accept immigrants?
Donald Trump wants to build a wall. The United Kingdom tries to leave the European Union in an attempt to regain sovereignty over its borders. Every year, thousands of people drown in the Mediterranean while trying to cross over into the EU. At the same time, many European countries sell citizenship to wealthy individuals. Do states have a right to pick and choose who may enter into their respective territories?
Should euthanasia be legal?
Ethical aspects of euthanasia (Greek for "good death"), a physician-assisted suicide of a patient with a goal of ending the suffering from a terminal or incurable illness, were debated since the times of Hippocrates. Since then, although modern medicine made a great deal of progress, euthanasia and its validity as a medical practice still leads to controversies. Should a patient in great suffering be able to end his life with the help of a doctor?
Should exotic animals be pets?
The thought of owning an exotic pet can be exciting, but many do not research how to properly care for it before purchasing, leading to animal abuse and neglect. But domesticating wild animals that are endangered or don't have a natural habitat due to climate change can save a species from extinction. Should the private ownership of exotic animals be banned, or is it beneficial to both owners and animals?
Should felons be allowed to vote?
According to the Sentencing Project, an estimated 6.1 million Americans have lost their voting rights because of felony disenfranchisement laws as of 2016. Lawmakers are divided about its implications: what constitutes human rights and what justifies taking them away, especially given a justice system that disproportionately imprisons minorities and the poor?
Should genetically modifying babies be legal?
The term “genetic modification” most commonly refers to a technique known as mitochondrial replacement therapy. The treatment involves constructing an embryo from the DNA of three people, using one party’s mitochondrial DNA in place of another, which is at risk for passing on a mitochondrial illness. In recent years, the genetic modification of babies has become a widely debated issue. The first genetically altered babies were born in 2018, prompting the scientific community to debate the ethics of the project. Is this procedure the scientific community's latest achievement, or a step too far?
Should human cloning be banned?
Cloning is the creation of a genetic copy of a sequence of DNA or of the entire genome of an organism. In the cloning debate, the term ‘cloning’ typically refers to a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). SCNT involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an oocyte form, where most of the DNA has been removed. The manipulated oocyte is then treated with an electric current in order to stimulate cell division, resulting in the formation of an embryo. The embryo is (virtually) genetically identical to, and thus a clone of the somatic cell donor. The debate revolves around human integrity, power, and social order.
Should humans strive for immortality?
Should humanity pursue the end of ageing and death? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that humans should strive for immortality, and that they should not — weighing longer life against its consequences.
Should people in positions of authority resign because of sexual misconduct allegations?
Should those in positions of authority resign when facing sexual misconduct allegations? This entry weighs the two positions — that they should resign, and that they should not — balancing accountability against due process.
Should people wear fur products?
Numerous fashion houses and even entire cities have banned the sale or use of fur. The tides are turning against the fur industry as people become more conscious of the way in it exploits and abuses animals.
Should prisons be abolished?
Prison abolitionism is an ongoing debate globally, but in American society in particular. Prisons were first created to punish the guilty for their crimes and protect the innocent from harm. Now, some are creating rehabilitation programs to help the incarcerated have a better life after being released. Are prison systems effective, and would abolishing them be beneficial for society?
Should state authority control social network activities?
Social networks are recently been blamed for several noxious behaviours: fake-news, social division, stalking, trolling, and on and on. Should state authorities impose control on these services?
Should surrogacy be legal?
Surrogacy refers to the process through which a woman intentionally becomes pregnant with a baby she does not intend to keep, instead carrying the foetus for its intended parent or parents, usually because the parent is unable to do so without her. Surrogacy may be altruistic where the surrogate is not paid, or commercial where she is. Countries and states often have unclear legislation on surrogacy. Should surrogacy be legalized? Under what conditions should surrogacy be legal?
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Capital punishment is the government-sanctioned execution of an individual as retribution for a crime. Although most countries have abolished death penalty sentences, many retain this practice, including the United States, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Should we abolish the death penalty, or support each government's right to punish crime as it sees fit?
Should we have gun control?
There are more than 300,000,000 guns in the United States. Guns have claimed the lives of more American citizens than all the wars since the American revolution put together. With guns holding a unique place in the American psyche, should there be measures in place to limit gun ownership? What should these measures look like?
Should we invest in research to slow the ageing process?
Should society fund research aimed at slowing human ageing? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that we should invest in anti-ageing research, and that we should not — weighing longer life against its consequences.
Should you confess to cheating after a one night stand?
One night stands are one-off, sexual encounters free from emotional intimacy. But do they count as cheating? And should you tell your partner if you have had a one night stand while in a relationship with them?
What is morality?
What is the nature of morality and where do its rules come from? This entry maps the competing accounts — that morality is an evolutionary adaptation, that it is a social construct, and that it is a set of spiritual laws.
What is the answer to the trolley problem?
The trolley problem is philosophy's most famous moral dilemma, pitting the lives of a few against many. This entry sets out the rival answers to it — whether one should act to save the one, or to save the group.
Who should you help during the coronavirus pandemic?
With death tolls mounting, hospitals overflowing, unemployment skyrocketing, and much of the population confined to their homes, there is no shortage of people in need. But who should you help during the coronavirus pandemic? Where are the efforts best spent in order to do the most good?
Would a Mars colony need a fixed government?
Advanced Space capabilities are in all likelihood coming rather soon, with SpaceX’s next generation rockets at the forefront. However, exploration of how a colony will fit into the global stage has only been explored by fiction authors thus-far and not decision - makers.