A recent paper published in the journal Neuroethics argues for minimizing animal suffering by creating beasts that lack the ability to sense pain . This reminded me of a collection of thought experiments, The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten , by philosopher Julian Baggini. The thought . . . . Continue Reading »
In “A Just War Theory of Homeschooling” (InsideCatholic.com), William Fahey reminds us that homeschooling, while desirable in some circumstances, “can also become a destructive ideology”: Contrary to the Catholic understanding of education, there is a rising individualism . . . . Continue Reading »
Among the more revealing moral dilemmas are those that arise less for the actors themselves than for others evaluating the actions after the fact. One such case is that of British reporter Stephen Farrell, rescued from the Taliban on September 9 at the cost of two dead: his Afghan interpreter and a . . . . Continue Reading »
“Last summer’s marriage wars” —as Mary Eberstadt describes them in our current issue—pose anew the question whether divorce has also evolved in ways worth debating. In the inaugural issue of National Affairs , Brad Wilcox’s “The Evolution of Divorce” . . . . Continue Reading »
As I’ve mentioned here before, this year it’s fallen to me to teach the First Communion class at church. Three weeks into the experiment, and already I’m realizing afresh what I knew going in: I am not a classroom teacher. I know how long it takes one kindergartener and one second . . . . Continue Reading »
In a new “Spengler” essay at Asia Times online today, I argue that the gold price is an option on the decline of American power. In purely economic terms, gold is a very poor reserve asset compared to even a rather wobbly and ill-managed currency. Only if international relations break . . . . Continue Reading »
The Boston Globe notes an interesting finding:One of the classic stereotypes about women is that they’re acutely terrified by snakes and spiders. Indeed, it has been found that women are four times more likely to suffer from these phobias, but there is ostensibly no gender difference for phobias . . . . Continue Reading »
In the latest Chronicles of Higher Education , Mark Lilla explains that conservatism is a tradition, not a pathology: This month the University of California at Berkeley opened a Center for the Comparative Study of Right-Wing Movements. The center is housed in the Institute for the Study of Social . . . . Continue Reading »
President Obama’s selling skills are questionable. He says things that aren’t true and acts as if we won’t be able to figure that out. A minor case in point: On 60 Minutes tonight, he says that he will “own” Obamacare and be held politically accountable if . . . . Continue Reading »
A meme is taking hold on the left that opponents of President Obama can’t accept a black president. But that’s baloney that has turned moldy. President Obama is being treated just like every other president has been by his (or someday, her) political opponents—very . . . . Continue Reading »
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