In the last decade, 2013 vs 2003, there have been sharp changes in public attitudes in the U.S. to extra-marital sex, same sex relationships, and babies outside marriage, all of which should caution us to distinguish ethics from culturally-changing morality. For Gallup survey data, see http://www.globalethics.org/newsline/2013/05/20/moral-issues-3/
Social media can impact behaviour of activists in the public area, sometimes, and may even influence corporations and governments. But one Swiss agency argues, Twittter may not be effective as an agent for change, especially when a a life is at stake. http://3blmedia.com/News/CSR/Will-Tweet-Save-Life-According-UNICEF-Sweden-Probably-Not
Recently, we heard a cultural sociologist speak about the dangers of hop hop music, drawing on her PhD thesis research of young women who were alternately excited and disgusted by many of the lyrics. My response was that music is entertainment, that there have always have been parent-children gaps involving music and literature, and
“Our leaders need to be held accountable, says journalist Heather Brooke. And she should know: Brooke uncovered the British Parliamentary financial expenses that led to a major political scandal in 2009. She urges us to ask our leaders questions through platforms like Freedom of Information requests — and to finally get some answers.”
We hear from two advisors with philosophy degrees who think deeply about the role and purpose of corporations in society.
Haidt, Jonathan, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion (Pantheon; 2012) The full review, by David Nitkin at EthicScan, can be found in the Ethics in Integrity Webzine: At first glance a book on moral psychology would seem to be of limited interest to elected government officials, but first impressions
Is it OK to video horror as it unfolds? Might there even be good reasons to do so? What factors affect the answer to this question? Read the discussion here
The Canada Tibet Committee is hosting a historic Public Talk by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on Saturday, 28 April at the Ottawa Civic Centre Arena. Doors open at 9:00 AM and the Public Talk will start at 10:00 AM.“Human rights, ethics, resource and opportunity equality are the most important issues we face today,
A comprehensive review of this important book from the New York Times
New hope