Evolution and Morality: Daniel Dennett Explores Reciprocity

A man giving a sack of food to another man in an ancient village illustrates the link between evolution and morality

What drives our understanding of right and wrong? How did humans develop their moral systems? In Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, Daniel Dennett explores the connection between evolution and morality. He asserts that, from basic reciprocity in early human societies to complex moral frameworks, our ethical systems have evolved through cultural transmission and social learning. Keep reading to discover how simple acts of sharing and cooperation have shaped the moral principles we live by today.

Friedrich Nietzsche: Morality Needs an Overhaul

An old book in poor condition titled "Morality"

What drives our understanding of right and wrong? How do different societies develop their moral codes? In Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, morality is under the microscope. Nietzsche’s analysis explores two distinct types—master morality and herd morality—while examining how Christianity shaped Western ethical thinking. Keep reading to discover why Nietzsche believed Western society needed to move beyond traditional moral frameworks and create new values for the future.

Friedrich Nietzsche: Christianity Is Holding Us Back

The interior of an old gothic church illustrates the view that Christianity is outdated

What happens when a society bases its moral code entirely on religious beliefs? How can outdated value systems prevent human progress? According to Friedrich Nietzsche, Christianity is holding humanity back because its moral framework is stagnant and nihilistic. His philosophical work challenges traditional religious values and their impact on human potential, suggesting that Christian morality holds people back from achieving greatness. Keep reading to discover why Nietzsche believed we need a complete overhaul of Western moral systems.

How Tarana Burke Became an Activist for Black Rights

Activists for black rights at a protest in a city, holding a sign that says "BLACK RIGHTS"

How did Tarana Burke become an activist for Black rights? How did Burke protest against Donald Trump in the Central Park Five case? Burke explains that she gradually divested from the Catholic church she’d grown up in and chose to attend a public high school. This transition took place because her grandfather, a fiercely pro-Black radical follower of activists like Malcolm X, encouraged her to read books about Black history and to question the church’s complicity in the slave trade. Keep reading to learn more about Burke’s activism beginnings in high school.

Tarana Burke & the R. Kelly Docuseries Controversy She Faced

A silhouette of a woman being filmed for a documentary on a set

How did Tarana Burke contribute to Surviving R. Kelly? Why did she receive backlash for the docuseries? Burke has lent her expertise on healing from sexual violence to projects outside her “me too” movement. For example, she contributed to the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries, which detailed R&B artist R. Kelly’s serial abuse of Black girls and women. Discover the controversy behind Tarana Burke’s R. Kelly docuseries backlash below.

Why Did Tarana Burke Start “Me Too?” Betrayals & Dead Ends

Activist Tarana Burke talking about why she started me too

Why did Tarana Burke start “me too?” What was the breaking point that led Burke to say those words? Burke says that the betrayals she and her child experienced at Sanders’s hands eroded her trust in and commitment to her community. She’d also hit dead ends when trying to find resources to help her and others who had suffered from childhood sexual abuse and wanted to change that. Let’s check out the moments that led to Burke saying “me too.”

Germline Editing Ethics: Walter Isaacson Lays Out the Debate

Three men in lab coats discuss germline editing ethics with a chalkboard in the background

Is it ethical to edit the genes of future generations? What are the potential benefits and risks of germline editing? Germline editing ethics is a complex and controversial topic. Scientists and philosophers debate the morality of altering DNA that can be passed down to future offspring. In The Code Breaker, Walter Isaacson shares arguments for and against this practice. Keep reading to explore the nuanced perspectives on this cutting-edge technology and its implications for humanity’s future.

What Has CRISPR Been Used For? 3 Realized Applications

A smiling baby wearing a grey knit hat and lying on a blanket illustrates what has CRISPR been used for

What has CRISPR been used for in recent years? How has this groundbreaking technology impacted medical research and treatment? CRISPR technology has revolutionized genetic engineering, opening doors to unprecedented applications. CRISPR’s potential seems boundless. Walter Isaacson’s book The Code Breaker explores these developments in detail. Read more to dive into the world of CRISPR and its far-reaching implications for science and society.

3 Ethical Issues of CRISPR Technology & Policies They Inspired

A male scientist with dark hair and a beard wearing a lab coat in a lab illustrates ethical issues of CRISPR

Is it ethical to edit human genes? What are the potential consequences of CRISPR technology? Walter Isaacson explores the ethical issues of CRISPR technology in his book The Code Breaker. He wades into the debates surrounding germline editing, medical interventions versus enhancements, and the potential for increased inequality. Continue reading to discover the complex moral landscape of this groundbreaking technology.

Do the Most Good: The 1st Principle of Effective Altruism

A scale with a large box of GOOD on one side and a small box of GOOD on the other side illustrates doing the most good

Should you splurge on a nice dinner—or eat at home and donate the money you saved? Should you use your time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or an afterschool program? William MacAskill points out that each of us is faced with decisions about how to spend our time and money. To make such choices, he suggests we consult the first principle of effective altruism: Perform the action that maximizes the net benefit to humanity. Continue reading to learn what it means to do the most good, according to the philosophy of effective altruism.