Ethics for Everyone

Moral wisdom for the modern world

Michael W. Austin Ph.D.

A Stoic Priority

Character seems in short supply these days. But the Stoics would urge all of us, no matter what is happening around us and to us, to not put off the life of wisdom and virtue.

Licensing Parents?

What can we do to reduce child abuse and neglect?

Spirituality and Our Humanity

Religion or a spiritual tradition that just affirms us without challenging us to help others as well as become better human beings is flawed.

What's Wrong With the Death Penalty?

The death penalty is back in our national consciousness. What is wrong with this practice, morally speaking?

Just a Little Patience

Patience is a virtue, sometimes a difficult one. Fortunately, if we are intentional about it, we can develop this character trait.

Rhetorical Nonviolence

The practice of rhetorical nonviolence could revolutionize our civil discourse both online and in the real world.

Let Them Play

I want my players and young athletes across the country to be safe, happy, and healthy. I think we can do that and let them play.

Logic and Black Lives Matter

A little bit of logic can help us understand "Black lives matter."

True Freedom and the Quarantine Protests

We should use our freedom well, as a means of caring for others. Such freedom always calls for sacrifice.

When Going to Church Is Immoral

Some pastors are defying government restrictions and holding worship gatherings. Some governors are allowing this. What are we to make of this, morally speaking? 

Ethics in a Pandemic Age

We must look for ways to show generosity and gratitude to others. If we do, we might get through this pandemic with both our health and humanity intact.

Trump, Iran, and the Ethics of War

The news cycle runs quickly, but we must look at recent events in Iran. The responsibilities that come with the power to command the U.S. military must not be taken lightly.

Stoic Balance

We need to balance our attitudes toward activity and rest. We need a mindset that helps us balance the pace of our lives.

The Stoic Rejection of Fame

The Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius argued that “the only lasting fame is oblivion.” If fame is worthless, what might we seek instead?

Compassionate: It's a Verb

Compassion is an action: we can choose to attend to the suffering of others and do whatever is in our power to alleviate it.

A Stoic Way to Start the Day

In an era of deep divisions, aggression, and malice, the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius is needed. But we need to do more than think about such truths. We must live them.

Bridging the Character Gap

Part 2: There are ways to improve our character, but they require intentional effort.

Bridging the Character Gap

Most of us are not virtuous, but neither are we vicious. We have mixed characters. What can we do to bridge the character gap in our own lives? What can we do to make progress?

Achieving Happiness: Advice from Bertrand Russell

According to Bertrand Russell, the key to happiness is to turn one's focus outward, eschewing self-absorption and engaging both others and the world around us.

What Kind of Sports Parent Am I?

Parents need to ask themselves some hard questions about their role in the good and bad of youth sports.

Ethics and Abortion

Understanding opposing arguments on the morality of abortion.

A Counterargument to "Virtue and Guns"

Based on his years of participation in and observation of Gun Culture 2.0, an expert offers a three-part counterargument to my claims in "Virtue and Guns."

Problems with "A God Problem"

There is no incoherence in the notion of a perfect God. When understood with sufficient precision and detail, 'the idea of God that most Westerners accept' is coherent.

Empathy in Health Care

True healing begins when physicians allow patients to move them emotionally.

Virtue and Guns

There is a neglected question in the gun debates. It is, however, of vast importance: How do guns impact our character?

CS Lewis on Morality

A morality that only considers potential harm to others is sparse.

Meditation and Moral Development

We often think of meditation as something that can help us feel better. It may also help us to be better.

The Lost Practice of Self-Examination

If we make becoming a better person one of our goals in life, we must see that the practice of self-examination can help us make progress.

Religious Pluralism and Religious Relativism

Just because there are diverse religious beliefs, it does not follow that religious belief is mere subjective preference or opinion.

Rights, Responsibilities, and Guns

We hear a lot about the right to own a gun, but we need to craft laws and foster a culture that emphasizes the responsibilities that come with that right.

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