Philosophy & Ethics

The Scientific Method: Half-Finished But Wholly-Accepted

In a science classroom at a middle school I saw a poster about “the scientific method.” There were seven steps; one was “analyze your data.” According to the poster, you use the data you’ve collected to say if your hypothesis was right or wrong. Nothing w ...

Article - Seth Roberts - May 3 2008 - 10:58am

Science, Religion And The Problem Of Evil

My colleague at the University of California-Irvine, Francisco Ayala, has been interviewed recently by the  New York Times  about his views on science and religion. Ayala is particularly suitable for the task, being a former Dominican priest and one of th ...

Article - Massimo Pigliucci - Jan 14 2009 - 4:59pm

Bipolar Disorder Is Overdiagnosed And Underdiagnosed

A new study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University researchers reports that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview-- ...

Article - News Staff - May 5 2008 - 11:36pm

Religion And Biology- Essay Says Contemporary Judaism Can Add Wisdom To Genetic Research

There exists much ethical controversy brought about by advances in biology and medicine and the relationship to religion. In a new essay in The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, Laurie Zoloth takes an approach to medical ethics that draws upon Jewish ...

Article - News Staff - May 12 2008 - 4:59pm

On Deca And Ethics- Does A Chemical Industry Trade Group Make EPA Personnel Decisions?

In March, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee launched an investigation into potential conflicts of interest in scientific panels that advise the Environmental Protection Agency on the human health effects of toxic chemicals. The committee identifie ...

Article - News Staff - May 12 2008 - 7:32pm

Soft Vs. Hard Science, Part I

“Scientists these days tend to keep up a polite fiction that all science is equal. Except for the work of the misguided opponent whose arguments we happen to be refuting at the time, we speak as though every scientist's field and methods of study are ...

Article - Massimo Pigliucci - Sep 19 2008 - 5:59pm

Abortion On Demand An Equality Issue, Says Group

Aiming to gain a better understanding of the situation of abortion in Africa and Latin America, a research team jointly involving Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement and "El Colegio de Mexico" reviewed the scientific literature published ...

Article - News Staff - Jun 4 2008 - 9:52am

Patient Consent Overhaul Still Lacks Teeth, Says BMJ Editorial

Proposals to overhaul the approach to obtaining patient consent lack detail, contain advice that is non-specific, and might prevent doctors from making major changes to their practice warns an editorial in this week's BMJ. Writing in response to the p ...

Article - News Staff - Jun 5 2008 - 11:54pm

A Conversation With Dan Dennett

A few days ago I had the opportunity of moderating a conversation with philosopher Daniel Dennett, hosted by the  New York Society for Ethical Culture  as part of their presentation of two of the “Atheists Tapes” produced by  Alive Mind. It was a pleasant ...

Article - Massimo Pigliucci - May 17 2011 - 9:24pm

How Global Cultures Struggle To Create Their Own “America”

The pageantry of Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, the Coca-Cola empire, Michael Jackson’s turn from the King of Pop into an iconic global recluse: American pop culture – Hollywood cinema, television, pop music – dominates the rest of the world through its hegemo ...

Article - News Staff - Jun 18 2008 - 10:41pm