The Ethics Center regularly takes advantage of the expertise of its multidisciplinary staff and scholars to look at a question from many different perspectives. The Ethics Spotlight captures those in-depth explorations of crucial ethical issues.
Violence at the Capitol
It’s hard to imagine that ethics played any kind of role in the insurrection at the Capitol building, but from leadership failures to free speech and social media to the Supreme Court, Ethics Center staff and scholars provide an analysis of the ethical challenges associated with the historic actions of January 6.
Post-Election Reconciliation
After a highly contentious (and ongoing) election, our country remains as polarized as ever. Ethics Center staff and scholars provide an analysis of the ethical challenges associated with healing these deep wounds.
Election Ethics
Ethics will play an influential role as we cast ballots for the leadership of our country for the next four years, tally votes, and inaugurate a president in January. Ethics Center staff and scholars analyze the associated ethical dilemmas.
The Ethics of Going Back to School in a Pandemic
As students across the country start a new school year, many are participating online only, while others are attending in person, in the classroom – with some already closing down again after new outbreak clusters form. Ethics Center staff and other SCU scholars address some of the key ethical dilemmas surrounding this critical decision.
Ethics and Systemic Racism
The killings of several Black Americans by law enforcement over the last several months has shinned a light on the systemic nature of racism in our country. Ethics Center staff and scholars analyze the associated ethical dilemmas.
Systemic Racism, Police Brutality, and the Killing of George Floyd
The recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are igniting fiery unrest around the world. Ethics Center staff and other SCU scholars address some of the key ethical dilemmas surrounding these tragedies.
COVID-19: Ethics, Health and Moving Forward
As businesses, schools, families and individuals transition from shelter-in-place to the new normal, critical questions must be considered and addressed before our economy can be revived. Ethics Center staff have compiled the following resources; including video interviews with business and non-profit leaders, panel discussions, and actionable tools; all designed to help us move forward.
COVID-19: The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak and its Ethical Dilemmas
As the pandemic wreaks havoc on society, our health care system, and the economy, critical trade-offs must be identified and considered. Ethics Center staff and scholars offer their analysis of many of these challenges in this Ethics Spotlight.
Social Media and Democracy
As social media’s impact on democracy has come into focus, many of the largest platforms have reacted with changes to their handling of political ads – and there’s little agreement on who’s right. Ethics Center staff and scholars unpack some of the many related ethical dilemmas.
The Climate Crisis
There are no easy answers to the escalating crisis of climate change. In fact, many of the proposed solutions feature trade-offs that may benefit one group over another. Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the related key ethical questions in this Ethics Spotlight.
The Ethical Implications of Mass Shootings
As several mass shootings have recently, and increasingly, gripped our nation, Ethics Center staff and scholars analyze some of the many related ethical dilemmas.
Political Speech in the Age of Social Media
As the 2020 presidential election heats up, political speech will fill our social media feeds. Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the key ethical issues.
The Mueller Report: An Ethical Analysis
Since the redacted version of the Mueller Report was released, debates have raged on about whether to move on or dig deeper into the charges. The Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the related key ethical implications in this Ethics Spotlight.
The Power of Symbols
Symbols are playing a critical role in today’s deeply divided society. Ethics Center staff and scholars weigh in on the power of symbols and their related ethical implications.
The Ethics of Immigration
As the debate over immigration heats up, the Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the key ethical issues.
The California Wildfires
The world has been experiencing worsening wildfire conditions for decades, and in California the situation is particularly bad. The Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the key ethical issues surrounding these disasters.
Point/Counterpoint: Democratic Legitimacy
Scholars David DeCosse and Brian Buckley explore the factors that cause citizens in a democracy to have faith in the law.
The Ethics of Dissent
Anger has become a feature of the political landscape in America. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Ethics Center staff and scholars explore the many ways to express dissent and how to welcome opposing views.
Brett Kavanaugh and the Ethics of the Supreme Court Confirmation Process
With Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh standing accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, the Ethics Center staff and other scholars address some of the key ethical issues surrounding the Supreme Court confirmation process.
Taking a Knee: Ethics and the NFL Protests
As the football season begins, protests on the field have come back into the news. Ethics Center staff, scholars, and SCU professors address some of the key ethical issues in the debate.
Clergy Sexual Abuse
Appalled by the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and other allegations of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Ethics Center staff and scholars offer their reflections on how ethics may provide a way forward in this dark time.
