Verified by Psychology Today

Am I Right?

How to live ethically

Anxiety
Why Active Shooter Drills May Be a Bad Idea

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on August 12, 2022

Everyone wants to protect children, but active shooter drills in school may be a bad idea. There are better ways to protect children without making them anxious.

Everyone wants to protect children, but active shooter drills in school may be a bad idea. There are better ways to protect children without making them anxious.

Trauma
Pity, Reconsidered

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on May 10, 2022

Pity is a moral emotion and something important is lost when it is no longer part of our emotional makeup.

Pity is a moral emotion and something important is lost when it is no longer part of our emotional makeup.

Child Development
Let Your Child Go

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on April 18, 2022

If it is okay to be a soldier at 18, why can't you drink? Maybe we've gotten it wrong about when people become adults

If it is okay to be a soldier at 18, why can't you drink? Maybe we've gotten it wrong about when people become adults

Bias
You Aren't Who You Think You Are

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on April 6, 2022

One day Italians weren't white and Japanese and Chinese people were separate races. Today, things are reversed. What happened has nothing to do with genes but with society.

One day Italians weren't white and Japanese and Chinese people were separate races. Today, things are reversed. What happened has nothing to do with genes but with society.

Genetics
The Right to Your Body

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 12, 2022

The arguments around abortion and mandatory vaccinations are confused. Here is a clearer way to think about them.

The arguments around abortion and mandatory vaccinations are confused. Here is a clearer way to think about them.

Artificial Intelligence
Machines Aren't Moral, People Are

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 7, 2022

Robotic machines reflect the biases, prejudices and limitations of those who program them. No machine can be more moral than those who program it.

Robotic machines reflect the biases, prejudices and limitations of those who program them. No machine can be more moral than those who program it.

Unconscious
Living Only in the Moment Isn't Possible

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 2, 2022

Living life fully means knowing the moment for what it is—our past experiences and the anticipation of the future with all we've done, experienced, thought and hope for.

Living life fully means knowing the moment for what it is—our past experiences and the anticipation of the future with all we've done, experienced, thought and hope for.

Deception
Lying to a Dying Patient

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 25, 2021

Avoiding the truth as a physician can seem like an easy way out of a difficult situation, but the harm done to society may be great.

Avoiding the truth as a physician can seem like an easy way out of a difficult situation, but the harm done to society may be great.

Trust
Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 8, 2021

Are you torn between accepting a friend's experience and statistical evidence? Don't be. One generates empathy, while the other provides guidance.

Are you torn between accepting a friend's experience and statistical evidence? Don't be. One generates empathy, while the other provides guidance.