Philosophy & Ethics

Atheists- The Minority It's Okay To Stereotype

I often joke, in reference to a black person, woman or gay complaining about some reference or joke in society or in the media about them, that I am all five groups every one of them jokes about, stereotypes and ridicules without any liberal guilt at all; ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - May 6 2011 - 1:51pm

The Audacity of Economists

Economists of all stripes for the last generation have demonstrated their audacity time and time again, holding dearly onto their attempts to make Economics a hard science.  Though good intentioned, the attempt to convince everyone that economics is a har ...

Blog Post - Ed Chen - May 9 2011 - 10:06am

Much Ado About Hawking

So Stephen Hawking doesn't believe in Heaven.  This is apparently a big deal.   It's not that he is wrong, he is most likely right, though the nature of faith is belief in defiance of any evidence so that doesn't matter, the important questi ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - May 18 2011 - 12:26pm

People for the Ethical Treatment of Squid

At the beginning of the year I mentioned this European cephalopod conference, where they were going to talk about new laws regulating the use of squids, octopuses, etc. in experiments. Sadly, I couldn't go myself, but fellow cephaloblogger Mike Lisies ...

Blog Post - Danna Staaf - Jun 10 2011 - 11:44pm

Assisted Suicide Not The Answer To Preventing Bad Deaths

LONDON, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/-- Around the world too many patients have "bad deaths" because they do not get the care they need, said the President of the International Society for Advance Care Planning and End of Life Care on the first day ...

Article - Anna Ohlden - Jun 22 2011 - 10:14am

Climate Science Disclosures- Freedom Of Information Or Chilling Effect?

The American Tradition Institute would like to know who, besides taxpayers, pays prominent NASA researcher James Hansen, a leading voice in climate change discussions. ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Jun 30 2011 - 10:34am

The BBC And New Climate Change Rules- Science Accuracy Or Muzzling Dissent?

One aspect of journalism that has led to a sense of entitlement among the public, and certainly those who have dissenting opinions, is the idea of 'balance' in media coverage.   That is, showing both sides. While balance is certainly fair, is it ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Sep 8 2012 - 2:28am

Dead Squid Can Dance

Is it possible to bring up a squid-related topic about which I have nothing to say? So far, the answer seems to be no. I'm not sure if I should be proud--or find some more hobbies. Anyhoo, today's blog-babble is tipped off by odori-don, the danci ...

Article - Danna Staaf - Jul 25 2011 - 2:12pm

An Argument Against Basic Research? 9% Of Monkey Studies Have No Benefit

Most scientists and science journalists argue vehemently for basic research- and even more taxpayer money should be devoted to it, they say.   Politicians usually disagree and feel like taxpayer-funded research should have a goal or at least a defined resu ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Jul 29 2011 - 6:49pm

Trading Human Cadavers And What It Tells Us About Morality

Sometimes how humans trade goods are as important as what is traded.    Even when it comes to trading dead humans. Human cadavers are a legitimate market?  Sure.   Commerce in human cadavers was created centuries ago and is done now by medical schools beca ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 28 2011 - 3:05pm