Am I Right?

Artificial Intelligence

AI Didn't Write This Post

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 7, 2026

Artificial intelligence has made plagiarism easier than ever. It is now used by students and faculty alike. We need a discussion about its use, not condemnation.

Artificial intelligence has made plagiarism easier than ever. It is now used by students and faculty alike. We need a discussion about its use, not condemnation.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness Is Under Attack

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 1, 2026

As society has reduced diversity, equity and inclusion practices, will mindfulness fade away or remain supported as a practice to increase compassion and social responsibility?

As society has reduced diversity, equity and inclusion practices, will mindfulness fade away or remain supported as a practice to increase compassion and social responsibility?

Education

Reading Scores Are Falling, Raising Questions About Learning

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 29, 2026

Reading is losing out to audiobooks and other forms of short-cuts to learning. Is this a bad thing?

Reading is losing out to audiobooks and other forms of short-cuts to learning. Is this a bad thing?

Ethics and Morality

Americans Rate Nation's Moral Values at All-Time Low

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 13, 2026

While Americans point to a decline in morality, they may be referring to social conventions, not ethical behavior.

While Americans point to a decline in morality, they may be referring to social conventions, not ethical behavior.

Personal Perspectives

Traditional Healing in Kenya Versus Psychotherapy

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on June 1, 2026

Personal Perspective: My time with a diviner in Kenya convinces me that there is value in traditional approaches to life's problems.

Personal Perspective: My time with a diviner in Kenya convinces me that there is value in traditional approaches to life's problems.

Solitude is a good thing when done is proper measure. Even Henry David Thoreau left his woods at Walden Pond occasionally to meet with family and friends.

Sexual Abuse

The Epstein Files and the Failure of Sex Education

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on April 1, 2026

Sex education has been taught in schools for decades and it has had some success. But the Epstein Files reveal the problem isn't a lack of knowledge but a lack of compassion.

Sex education has been taught in schools for decades and it has had some success. But the Epstein Files reveal the problem isn't a lack of knowledge but a lack of compassion.

Ethics and Morality

Why You Can't Rely on Your Own Morality Alone

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on February 3, 2026

Personal Perspective: A moral compass can point in the wrong direction.

Personal Perspective: A moral compass can point in the wrong direction.

Ethics and Morality

It's Not Always Just in Your Head

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 31, 2026

Personal Perspective: We need to hold people accountable for their actions, but we also must acknowledge the limits imposed on them by internal and external factors.

Personal Perspective: We need to hold people accountable for their actions, but we also must acknowledge the limits imposed on them by internal and external factors.

Ethics and Morality

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Most Urgent Question

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 3, 2026

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked a question that everyone needs to consider: "What are you doing for others?" The answer we give reflects the nature of our character.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked a question that everyone needs to consider: "What are you doing for others?" The answer we give reflects the nature of our character.

Ethics and Morality

The Million-Dollar Speeding Ticket

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on November 30, 2025

The purpose of fines is to inhibit bad behavior. When the amount of a fine is negligible relative to a person's income, it doesn't work. When too large, it can make matters worse.

The purpose of fines is to inhibit bad behavior. When the amount of a fine is negligible relative to a person's income, it doesn't work. When too large, it can make matters worse.

Grief

There Is No Right Way to Mourn

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on November 2, 2025

Rituals around death are cultural expressions that occasionally collide with an individual's feelings. A supportive environment provides understanding within societal structures.

Rituals around death are cultural expressions that occasionally collide with an individual's feelings. A supportive environment provides understanding within societal structures.

Creativity

Who Determines What the Public Should See

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 1, 2025

Personal Perspective: Art needs the right setting for it to do its work. Putting it in the wrong place can be its undoing.

Personal Perspective: Art needs the right setting for it to do its work. Putting it in the wrong place can be its undoing.

Social Life

What You Wear Matters

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 1, 2025

When you are in public, others see you. You can make their life more pleasing by paying attention to your appearance. You owe it to others.

When you are in public, others see you. You can make their life more pleasing by paying attention to your appearance. You owe it to others.

Adolescence

Should Voting and Drinking Ages Be Lowered?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 29, 2025

The legal age to vote and to consume alcohol often don't align. It is time to re-examine the basis for these policies.

The legal age to vote and to consume alcohol often don't align. It is time to re-examine the basis for these policies.

Wisdom

A Great Ballplayer, a Not So Great Person

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 7, 2025

Ted Williams was one of the greatest all-time ballplayers. But he was a single-minded, angry, difficult person. This raises the question: What do you want out of life?

Ted Williams was one of the greatest all-time ballplayers. But he was a single-minded, angry, difficult person. This raises the question: What do you want out of life?

Moral Injury

Are We All Suffering From Moral Injury?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on May 13, 2025

With air traffic controllers in Newark on trauma leave, it feels as though the whole country is suffering from moral injury.

With air traffic controllers in Newark on trauma leave, it feels as though the whole country is suffering from moral injury.

Politics

Meat Is Back and Maybe Not for the Reason You Think

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on May 6, 2025

As the political climate has shifted, so have ethical issues around food.

As the political climate has shifted, so have ethical issues around food.

Ethics and Morality

Was I Better Off Without a Diagnosis?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on May 1, 2025

I have mixed-brain dominance, which was not diagnosed when I was a child. Should it have been? In what ways would my life have been better—or worse?

I have mixed-brain dominance, which was not diagnosed when I was a child. Should it have been? In what ways would my life have been better—or worse?

Politics

Politics and Poetry

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on April 7, 2025

Poems don’t give you news, they give you inspiration. Poems don’t give you knowledge, they heighten your sensitivity. Poems don’t give you information, they increase your empathy.

Poems don’t give you news, they give you inspiration. Poems don’t give you knowledge, they heighten your sensitivity. Poems don’t give you information, they increase your empathy.