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Practical Ethics

Practical Ethics

By Dr. David Perry

This podcast series explores a wide range of practical ethical questions, hosted by Dr. David Perry, Director of the Practical Ethics Institute. Dr. Perry earned a Ph.D. in ethics from the University of Chicago Divinity School, taught ethics in undergraduate and graduate schools for 24 years, and published a book and over 50 articles in the field.
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#13: Biased Data, Killer Robots, and Other Issues in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Practical EthicsJun 28, 2021

00:00
48:59
#18: In Vitro Fertilization and Genetic Testing

#18: In Vitro Fertilization and Genetic Testing

An argument supporting the use of IVF and genetic testing by prospective parents seeking to avoid passing on serious genetic diseases to their children.
Sep 25, 202309:08
#17: Russia's War in Ukraine: Ethical and International Legal Perspectives

#17: Russia's War in Ukraine: Ethical and International Legal Perspectives

An interview of Dr. Martin L. Cook, one of our country's best experts on military ethics and just-war theory.  He taught at the U.S. Army War College, the Naval War College, and the Air Force Academy.  His extensive CV and several video recordings of his lectures are available at https://sites.google.com/view/martinlcook.  

Jan 16, 202324:24
#16: Evaluating the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Abortion

#16: Evaluating the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Abortion

Geoffrey Stone, Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago, comments on the June 2022 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson that overruled Roe v. Wade and declared that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee women a right to abortion. Stone is the author of Sex and the Constitution: Sex, Religion, and Law from America’s Origins to the Twenty-first Century. See his CV at www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/stone-g. In a postscript, the host Dr. Perry reads portions of the dissenting opinion written by justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan.
Jun 27, 202237:36
#15: Animal Welfare and Rights

#15: Animal Welfare and Rights

An interview of Dr. Daniel Dombrowski, Professor of Philosophy at Seattle University. His views on abortion are also summarized near the end.
Nov 22, 202145:22
#14: Human Rights Concerns in the Horn of Africa

#14: Human Rights Concerns in the Horn of Africa

An interview of Dr. Charles Schaefer, Professor of History and International Studies at Valparaiso University. (Note that in the podcast I erroneously referred to him as Associate Professor, when he is actually a full professor.)
Nov 22, 202149:45
#13: Biased Data, Killer Robots, and Other Issues in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

#13: Biased Data, Killer Robots, and Other Issues in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

An interview of Dr. Shannon French, Director of the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, where she is also a professor of both Philosophy and Law. She previously taught at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and her publications include a great book entitled The Code of the Warrior: Exploring Warrior Values Past and Present.  Dr. French has also done quite a bit of research and writing on ethical issues in AI, especially but not exclusively in military contexts.

Dr. French also recommends the following books that she didn't have time to mention during this episode:
- Cathy O'Neil, Weapons of Math Destruction
- Safiya Noble, Algorithms of Oppression
- Ruja Benjamin, Race Against Technology
- Shannon Vallor, Technology and the Virtues
- Patrick Lin, Robot Ethics 2.0
- and the work of Elsa Kania, Elke Schwartz, and Bruce Schneier.

Near the end of the podcast, Dr. French's dogs Bert and Maple offer a bit of canine commentary.... 

Jun 28, 202148:59
#12: Ethical Challenges in U.S. Foreign Policy

#12: Ethical Challenges in U.S. Foreign Policy

Interview of Dr. Joel Rosenthal, President of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, based in New York.  Topics discussed:  the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan; dealing with repressive regimes like Russia, China and Myanmar; root causes of migration from Mexico and Central America; and two of the speakers previously hosted at CCEIA by Dr. Rosenthal whom he recalls as among the most profound.

May 17, 202137:59
#11: On Bigotry and Aggressive Violence

#11: On Bigotry and Aggressive Violence

Several books are recommended in regard to the problems of bigotry and aggressive violence in America and around the world.
Mar 24, 202107:35
#10: The Ethics of Abortion

#10: The Ethics of Abortion

Examines an argument typically employed by vigorous opponents of abortion, but shows why it fails, and why a pro-choice view is most reasonable.
Mar 14, 202109:14
#9: God and the Soul

#9: God and the Soul

Here I critically examine some traditional beliefs about God and the soul, and explain why I now have serious doubts about them.
Feb 23, 202113:21
#8: War in the Islamic Tradition, and Some Conclusions

#8: War in the Islamic Tradition, and Some Conclusions

This is the fourth episode in a four-part series on the historical evolution of ethical perspectives on war in major religious traditions, adapted from my book, Partly Cloudy: Ethics in War, Espionage, Covert Action, and Interrogation, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2016).
Feb 22, 202114:07
#7: War in the Christian Tradition

#7: War in the Christian Tradition

This is the third episode in a four-part series on the historical evolution of ethical perspectives on war in major religious traditions, adapted from my book, Partly Cloudy: Ethics in War, Espionage, Covert Action, and Interrogation, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2016).
Feb 22, 202118:54
#6: War in the Jewish Tradition

#6: War in the Jewish Tradition

This is the second episode in a four-part series on the historical evolution of ethical perspectives on war in major religious traditions, adapted from my book, Partly Cloudy: Ethics in War, Espionage, Covert Action, and Interrogation, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2016).
Feb 22, 202110:46
#5: War in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions

#5: War in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions

This is the first episode in a four-part series on the historical evolution of ethical perspectives on war in major religious traditions, adapted from my book, Partly Cloudy: Ethics in War, Espionage, Covert Action, and Interrogation, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2016).
Feb 22, 202115:15
#4: Are Any Moral Principles Absolute?

#4: Are Any Moral Principles Absolute?

In cases where significant moral principles conflict, one possible way to resolve the conflict is if one of them is absolute and always overrides the others. Are there any such absolutes? Dr. Perry shows why religion is not helpful in that regard, and why it makes more sense to consider a cluster of prima facie moral principles, rather than any absolutes.
Feb 17, 202109:56
#3: Are There Any Objectively True Moral Principles?

#3: Are There Any Objectively True Moral Principles?

Considers several theories that deny objective morality, and why those theories all fail. Outlines some objective ethical principles, and how complex they can become in professional life. Provides some guidelines for ethical deliberation and action.
Feb 17, 202115:07
#2: Critical Thinking

#2: Critical Thinking

This podcast focuses on Critical Thinking, a deliberate effort to reason clearly by identifying and avoiding psychological biases, logical pitfalls, and other errors in judgment. The scope of Critical Thinking goes beyond ethics, but it's clearly essential to good ethical decision-making.
Feb 16, 202109:57
#1: Why Is Ethical Reflection Important?

#1: Why Is Ethical Reflection Important?

The host, Dr. David Perry, briefly introduces himself, and indicates why moral philosophy can be helpful in making sound decisions.
Feb 15, 202108:16