Ethics Talk: Philosophy, Flourishing and The Good Life

On November 4th and 5th, 2010, Central Michigan University will return the remains of 144 Saginaw Chippewa tribal ancestors and associated funerary objects to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, for proper burial. This historical event has been years in the making, mainly due to the Federal Guidelines that govern the return of ancestral remains under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). In this special show, we are joined by special guests Dr. Pamela Gates, interim Dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University and Shannon Martin, Director of the Ziibiwing Center. Both individuals were instrumental in the organization of this historic event. Prepared to be moved as we will discuss how this poignant event came to pass, and what it means for CMU and the Native American Community. Note: This show will be simulcast on Modern Rock 91.5. If the sound quality on BTR is suboptimal, you can listen in HD at: http://www.bca.cmich.edu/WMHW/WMHW-HD1.mov

How should we think about alcohol? Can consumption of alcohol be a good thing, from an ethical perspective? Is there a ‘best’ alcohol? What interests are served by our minimum drinking age, and how should we think about exceptions? (i.e, Wisconsin) Contrary to popular belief, there’s more to beer than getting drunk, and we eve plan to consult Aristotle on the topic. Join special guests Dr. John Meixner, Dr. Joshua Smith, and the rest of the EthicsTalk team on this week’s 91.5 episode Note: This show will be simulcast on 91.5. and the audio on BTR will be suboptimal. To listen to this show live in HD, go to: http://www.bca.cmich.edu/wmhw/WMHW-HD1.mov

Today, the average understanding of the soul can generally be categorized one of two ways: either we see the soul as some mystical or metaphysical entity which is separate from the body (dualism), or we deny the existence of a soul altogether. Historical views of the soul, as it turns out, are not so neatly categorized. On this week’s show, the Ethics Talk team is joined by special guests Dr. Gregory Smith and Dr. Michael Russo on a tour of ancient views of the soul from a variety of periods and cultures. Before tuning in, ask yourself a simple question: “How much does a soul weigh?”

Where do the rules for our favorite sports come from? What is really going on when referees get the call 'wrong' (think Armando Galaragga, Calvin Johnson, and Frank Lampard.) How should we think about the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports? How do the rules of a game, the referee, and instant replay interact? If you're interested in seeking the answers to these questions, please join guest hosts Dr. Joshua Smith and Dr. Adam Epstein for our first Modern Rock 91.5 show of the season.

Tonight's show will focus on how neuroscience is helping us to appreciate the role that reasons and emotions play in moral behavior. Once again, we will be joined by Dr. Michael Sandstrom, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Central Michigan University.

Ethics Talk welcomes Dr. Michael Sandstrom, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Central Michigan University. Dr. Sandstrom will discuss how, if at all, findings in neuroscience shed light on the debate about free will and responsibility. Dr. Sandstrom earned his doctorate in Neuroscience from Ohio State University in 1998. He has focused his career on understanding the mechanisms of plasticity and compensation in the brain, and how brain function modifies itself to continue to support important goals even in circumstances of disease and damage.

Special guest Jennifer Schense, joins us in a conversation about the Darfur Tragedy. Ms. Schense is International Cooperation Adviser and specialist on Darfur at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been investigating the tragedy for a number of years. In addition to discussing the status of the ICC investigation, Ms. Schense will discuss a momentous meeting on September 24, 2010 of the UN General Assembly. At that meeting, members of the U.N. Security Council and other parties interested in Sudan will focus on the current state of Darfur. President Obama will attend this meeting in an effort to focus international attention on Darfur. Ms. Schense will discuss the importance of the 9/24 meeting and the efforts of both state and non-state actors in attempting to address the human tragedy that continues to happen "on our watch".

Chances are you've heard snippets about Darfur - in the classroom, at work, on the news. But how much do you really know? If you're like us, you know that bad things are happening there; child soldiers, genocide, and war crimes come to mind. But how did the conflict start? Who is responsible? What can we do to help? In tonight's episode of Ethics Talk, we ask you to join us in reviewing the film 'Darfur Now' and in discussing these and other questions. 

One of the perennial questions that vexes moral philosophers is "why be moral?" Thinkers from Ancient Greece (at least some of them), equated this question with "why be just"? In this show, we will address the answer to this question that is offered by Plato and Aristotle. Throughout the show, we will highlight similarities and differences between ancient greek conceptions of justice and morality, on the one hand, and our modern conceptions of justice and morality, on the other.