http://everyday-ethics.org Ethics for Real People and Real Issues Tue, 15 May 2012 15:36:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en North Carolina recently passed Amendment One, a constitutional prohibition on same-sex marriage.  They are not the only state to seek legislative action to prevent same-sex marriages--in fact, 30 states currently have laws on the books prohibiting them.  However, what is somewhat unique about North Carolina's approach is the fact that ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/05/north-carolinas-amendment-one-the-arguments-against-same-sex-marriage/ Some time ago, I wrote on the topic of whether there might be something ethically problematic about purchasing a home that has been foreclosed on. The basic thought behind the argument is that when someone does this, they are benefiting from the misfortune of others, and in some sense using ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/04/rethinking-the-ethics-of-purchasing-foreclosed-homes-moral-psychology-takes-a-practical-turn/ In a seemingly endless Spring of sports scandals, the University of Arkansas fired head football coach Bobby Petrino, following revelations that his mistress, who was also a former employee of his football program, was involved in his recent motorcycle accident.  Part of the explanation of Petrino's firing was that he ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/04/why-cant-arkansas-fire-bobby-petrino-for-cheating-on-his-wife/ Ozzie Guillen has built a reputation as someone who says what he thinks, consequences be damned.  That trait showed itself again during a recent interview with Time magazine, where Guillen spoke favorably of Fidel Castro, stating that he "loved" and "admired" him.  These comments were not well-received in Miami, a ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/04/ozzie-guillen-and-what-the-first-amendment-doesnt-protect/ In two previous posts, I considered what I take to be the most controversial elements of the Stand Your Ground law, now infamous for its role in the Trayvon Martin shooting, and then offered a couple of arguments in favor of that law.  Before focusing more directly on ethical issues ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/trayvon-martin-and-the-stand-your-ground-law-part-3/ In a previous post, I outlined what I take to be two key components of the now infamous "Stand Your Ground" law permitting individuals who believe they are in imminent danger to defend themselves without fear of criminal punishment.  This law, it seems, was a contributing factor in the tragic ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/trayvon-martin-and-the-stand-your-ground-law-part-2/ Last week, the nation was shocked to learn of the killing of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year old black male who was shot to death on the streets of Sanford, Florida.  What makes this case particularly noteworthy is that the shooter, George Zimmerman, has not been arrested or charged with a ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/trayvon-martin-and-the-stand-your-ground-law-part-1/ As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently completed a one-month Facebook vacation.  For many of us who spend a good deal of our work time in front of the computer, sites like Facebook are a huge "time-sucker," and for many people the behavior is truly out of control.  ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/my-time-management-diary-part-4-the-benefits-of-the-facebook-vacation/ As part of my continuing quest to become more efficient, and to adapt time-management strategies from other domains to the unique demands of academia, I want to share my recent experience with taking a Facebook vacation. We all know what a bane to our productivity sites like Facebook can be.  We ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/my-time-management-diary-part-3-taking-a-facebook-vacation/ It has recently come to light that the New Orleans Saints, under the direction of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, engaged in a practice of paying "bounties," financial benefits awarded to players who made extremely hard or vicious hits on certain opposing players.  While the precise details of these bounties is ... http://everyday-ethics.org/2012/03/nfl-bounties-and-professional-ethics-the-case-of-the-new-orleans-saints/