Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking

How Ethics Helps Us Avoid Toxic Behavior

The word toxic is having quite a moment on social media these days. And understandably so. The term toxic behavior, as it is used in psychological discourse, often refers to behaviors like the following: Refusing to think about how our behavior affects other people. Refusing to recognize other people’s needs and values. Consistently prioritizing our… Continue reading How Ethics Helps Us Avoid Toxic Behavior

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking, Virtue and Reason in Politics

Morality vs. Moralism

Morality vs. moralism: Morality and moralism are two different things, but we often confuse the two. And I understand this tendency because at one time I didn’t understand the difference between morality and moralism either. And sometimes even now, I think I understand the difference, and then I realize I don’t understand it as well… Continue reading Morality vs. Moralism

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking, Proper Self-Love and Self-Worth, Intrinsic Worth

Why We Doubt We are Capable, Part 2

This is the second post in a series about why we doubt we are capable. I wrote the first post in this series a few weeks ago, which you can read here: Why We Doubt We are Capable, Part 1 In that post, I discussed how the problem of exceptionalism can cause us to doubt… Continue reading Why We Doubt We are Capable, Part 2

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking

Clothing with a Conscience: Ethical Clothes Shopping

I want to tell you a little bit about Toad&Co, an ethical women’s clothing company I love. But first, let me tell you a little bit about how I have changed the way I buy clothes over the last decade. First, I love clothes and fashion. However, in the last decade or so, I have… Continue reading Clothing with a Conscience: Ethical Clothes Shopping

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking, Truth and Critical Thinking

Should We Tolerate Everything?

Over the years, I have heard a lot of people ask this same question in various forms: Should we tolerate everything? And this is certainly an important question. One of the hallmarks of the U.S.[1], ideally, is that we tolerate diversity of ideas.[2] Because of this, we have a long-standing tradition of tolerating a variety… Continue reading Should We Tolerate Everything?

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking, Proper Self-Love and Self-Worth, Enchantment, The Virtue of Kindness

Is “Follow Your Heart” Good Advice?

This post explores whether the common saying "Follow Your Heart" is good advice. Here are some common sayings you might have heard: Follow your heart. If it feels good, do it. Your heart will tell you what to do. Is This Advice Good? Now, if you are like most people in the world, you can… Continue reading Is “Follow Your Heart” Good Advice?

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking

Is Your Morality Motivated by Love or Tribalism?

People can behave morally and promote morality for immoral reasons. That is an odd claim, isn't it? After all, we generally think of morality as good. And we think of moral people as good people. So how could a person be moral for bad reasons? And how would we even know if this was the… Continue reading Is Your Morality Motivated by Love or Tribalism?

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking

How to Pursue a Good Life by Maximizing Happiness

This post about how to pursue a good life by maximizing happiness, and it's based on the philosophy of John Stuart Mill. It the fourth post in a series on developing your own moral and ethical code. Here are the first three posts in the series: Develop Your Own Ethical and Moral System How to… Continue reading How to Pursue a Good Life by Maximizing Happiness

Virtue, Ethics, and Critical Thinking

How to Cultivate a Good Will to Live a Good Life

One way to become a more ethical person is to cultivate a good will. A Scenario to Spark Your Moral Imagination To help you understand this, I would like you to imagine the following scenario, which I will call The Struggling Older Lady Scenario (or SOLS). In this scenario, I would like you to imagine… Continue reading How to Cultivate a Good Will to Live a Good Life