Society

Bladensburg's monument to veterans raises a number of thorny issues concerning the principle of neutrality, freedom of religion, and the foundations of law.

Recent rulings have called the loot box mechanics used in franchises like FIFA and Star Wars Battlefront "gambling for children." What's the danger?

La Liga's recent use of its mobile app as a tool for spying offers another interesting chapter in the piracy versus privacy debate.

The basic legal and moral right to the free practice, observance, and teaching of one's religious beliefs is often conflated with the privilege to hold others accountable to one's own particular religious convictions and creeds. How should we distinguish the two?

The recent petition by Return to Order demanding the cancellation of Good Omens by Netflix raises questions about free speech and art. What are the motivations, obligations, and limitations in protesting hurtful art?

Free and open debate is often lauded, but much is also written of the limits. In what ways does one's position change the character of particular speech acts?

Several states' recent legal push to decriminalize sex work asks us to reevaluate the way we weigh competing concerns about individual autonomy, the nature of exploitation, and the commodification of goods and services.

The recent report concerning Canada's Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has a lot to say about the legacy of colonialism.

The message in public demonstrations is often much more far-reaching than the mere slogans or stated aims.

Recent government raids on news organizations in Australia prompt discussion of the boundaries of categories like the public interest and national security threats.

Diversity training is being used more and more often in the wake of incidents of racial bias. Is it more than a mea culpa?

Many express outrage at news stories involving the poor care of pets, but the implications of our indignation often go unnoticed.

Emerging healthcare technologies like Rudy, Addison, and PARO should prompt us to reassess the healthcare industry and to contemplate the difference between service and care.

Climate change is caused by the individual actions of a number of different actors, but will require the collective action to mitigate. Unfortunately, motivating people to make changes to avoid a future problem is difficult when there are pressing troubles already staring us in the face.

Algorithms are capable of causing harm, but it isn't easy to identify who should be held accountable when they do.

Recent charitable gifts by billionaires to college graduates in debt highlight the complications that come from individuals trying to solve collective action problems.

The TV show addresses a host of philosophical issues from the principle of proportionality to jus post bellum and realpolitik.

Recent censorship in Alabama and Arkansas of a cartoon same-sex marriage in a kids' show on public television raises questions about audience and inclusivity. Who is guilty of "having an agenda?"

What does the right to free speech mean in higher education? What are the rights and duties of students and professors? What separates controversial views from hateful ones?

Where does the wrong we feel in spoiled book and movie twists come from? What is spoiler etiquette based on?