ethics
6 life and death questions for ethicist Arthur Caplan
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — June 30, 2016
(RNS) Bioethicist Arthur Caplan looks at the moral quandaries posed by Zika and the Olympics, the right-to-die law in California and more headliner issues.
Is language being used unfairly against Muslims?
By Kimberly Winston — June 16, 2016
(RNS) Are journalists, pundits and politicians too quick to use the hot-button terms "radical," "terrorist," "extremist" and "Islamist"? And do they apply the same standards when the shooter is a Christian, a Jew or not religious?
Do no harm to life on Mars? Ethical limits of the ‘Prime Directive’
By RNS staff — May 30, 2016
One of the most profound concerns is about the moral status of extraterrestrial life forms.
Religious Americans should take up Obama’s call for a moral awakening
By Jacob Lupfer — May 27, 2016
(RNS) The first visit of an American president to Hiroshima occasions a broader and ongoing debate about the ethics and strategic value of nuclear weapons.
The human toll of drone warfare
By Charles C. Camosy — May 3, 2016
(RNS) The U.S. military is about to take a giant step forward in fighting wars without directly endangering American soldiers. Is this a good thing?
Lengthy battle over Scalia replacement expected
By Richard Wolf — February 13, 2016
WASHINGTON - With eight justices, the court risks deadlock on important issues such as abortion and immigration, not to mention affirmative action, voting rights and public employee unions.
Justice Scalia found dead at Texas ranch
By Susan Page — February 13, 2016
WASHINGTON - Over nearly three decades on the high court, the conservative Catholic justice's sharp intellect and acerbic opinions made him a hero to the right and a target for the left.
Reality TV’s ‘The Briefcase’ looks at line between need, greed
By Adelle M. Banks — June 12, 2015
(RNS) Financially strapped families must decide whether to keep $100,000 all for themselves, or help another family.
Should atheists be vegetarians?
By Chris Stedman — December 12, 2014
"We know animals can suffer, have no divine reason to suppose that only our suffering matters, and we're currently inflicting constant and severe suffering to a staggering number of conscious creatures."
Philip Kitcher on separating ethics from religion
By Chris Stedman — December 2, 2014
In part two of his conversation with RNS, 'Life After Faith' author Philip Kitcher explores how to disentangle ethics from religion, the connection between values and community, and why doubt is just the beginning of Humanism.
Philip Kitcher: ‘New Atheism’ hasn’t supplied anything to replace religion
By Chris Stedman — December 1, 2014
Atheist philosopher Philip Kitcher talks with RNS about his disagreements with “New Atheism,” how secular humanism is similar to religion and how it is different, and what Humanists can learn from religion.
The original ‘atheist church’: Why don’t more atheists know about Ethical Culture?
By Chris Stedman — October 1, 2014
Unfamiliarity with Ethical Culture—a nontheistic, Humanist religion—is more common among some atheists than it should be. Anne Klaeysen tells RNS about the history of Ethical Culture, the challenges it faces today, and what the atheist movement can learn from the original "atheist church."
Does the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge fund embryonic stem cell research?
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 19, 2014
(RNS) The viral fundraiser has raised millions for research, but some say the money is going toward something that's morally problematic.
Russell Moore answers all you wanted to know about sex (but were afraid to ask)
By Adelle M. Banks — August 1, 2014
(RNS) Though he often grapples with contentious political issues, Moore has spent much of his first year at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission as the sexual ethicist in chief.
Respect for clergy drops, but among Republicans, not so much
By Lauren Markoe — December 18, 2013
(RNS) Opinions on clergy differed markedly by party, with Republicans viewing them far more favorably than Democrats.
