Topics with Tag: Ethics

The Anthropocene Era
The Anthropocene is a proposed term to describe this period in the Earth's history where human activity has a significant impact on the natural world. How do you feel about living in the Anthropocene Era, and contributing to these changes in the global ecosystem?
Transhumanism and the Ethics of Engineering Ourselves
Transhumanism is a philosophical movement that advocates for the transformation of humans both physically and intellectually via technology that might become available in the future. Some examples include genetically modifying humans, adding cybernetic components to human bodies or brains, and achieving immortality by transferring human consciousness into machines. Are you for or against transhumanism? How might these changes to individuals result in changes to society at large?
The Question of Abortion
Abortion has long been a mainstay of Canadian law, and has generally had wide acceptance among Canadians - a 2001 poll found that 32% of respondents believed it should be permitted in all circumstances, 54% in some circumstances and only 14% believed that abortion should never be permitted. But the increasing popularity of conservative influencers like Jordan Peterson, and the recent election of Doug Ford in Ontario seem to be riding a rising tide of pro-life support.
How Selfish Should We Be?
We are privileged to live in a country where we have freedom, abundant food and affordable medical care. If you make more than $42,000 Canadian per year, then you are in the global 1% - one of the wealthiest people on the planet. Are we obligated by our position of wealth and good fortune to help others who by dint of bad luck were not born with the opportunities that we were? How should we balance our own desire to live our lives and fit in to society against the harm that our choices cause, and the opportunities that we have to improve living conditions for others?
The Expanding Circle of Empathy
The Expanding Circle is an idea (and book) by ethical philosopher Peter Singer. It's an imaginary circle that includes all of the people (or creatures) that you care about. Do you believe in the circle of empathy and that it is expanding over time? Who deserves to be included in our circle - neighbours, foreigners, immigrants, refugees, criminals, animals? Is Singer correct that better logical reasoning leads to more caring and empathy?