Category Archives: Social and Political Philosophy

The Eternal Value of Privacy

Why do we need privacy laws? Is it really a ‘security vs privacy’ dichotomy? Social and political philosophy. Bruce Schneier  05.18.06  The most common retort against privacy advocates — by those in favor of ID checks, cameras, databases, data mining and … Continue reading

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Immoral advances: Is science out of control?

How do we place a moral value on science? What issues are here and on the horizon that will test our moral boundaries through the advancement of science? Philosophy of science, ethics, moral philosophy. From New Scientist magazine. Immoral advances: … Continue reading

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Six ‘Uniquely Human’ Characteristics Now Found in Animals

New Scientist magazine review of six traits once thought unique to humans and now found in other animals. Philosophy of human nature, mind. 17:11 22 May 2008 NewScientist.com news service Kate Douglas To accompany the article So you think humans are … Continue reading

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Yes Prime Minister – Survey Design

Brilliant clip of how to design a survey to get the result you want. Bias, social, critical thinking. Yes Minister Survey (wmv)

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Alternative Medicine – Sincerity no substitute for evidence

HOW many readers have gone to dinner parties and listened to otherwise intelligent people assert that alternative medicine can be just as effective as mainstream, scientific medicine? Generally, the argument is that alternative medicine, in all its many forms, is … Continue reading

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Social Philosophy booklet

Outlines some basic theories and gives an overview of philosophers. Starts with Plato. Nice resource for introduction to social philosophy. Social Philosophy booklet

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If you’ve nothing to hide…..Secrecy and the Open Society

Debate on whether privacy is necessary in an open society to a large degree. Should only criminals fear not having secrets? Social and political philosophy resource. Mirko Bagaric | August 13, 2008 HOW worried do you reckon people in developing countries … Continue reading

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Censorship cartoon I

Bill Leak’s (cartoonist with The Australian) take on PM Kevin Rudd’s reaction to Bill Henson’s photographs. This (and the following cartoon) were used as an ‘ice-breaker’ into the topic of freedom of expression (Social & Political Philosophy – John Stuart … Continue reading

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Blasphemy and Public Policy

Lord Ram and the Hindu religious beliefs that are tested by recent scientific discoveries. Scanned newspaper article. Check the public outrage. Good for philosophy of religion and social philosophy.

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Science and Truth

More gems from New Scientist. Philosophy of science. Ontology. The truth is out there New Scientist vol 165 issue 2226 – 19 February 2000 Instruments such as microscopes or telescopes can reveal the physical world to us, showing a cell’s walls or … Continue reading

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Free Will and the Mob

How much of what we do is free will and how much is because of the ‘mob’ we find ourselves in? New Scientist. Political philosophy, philosophy of mind, social philosophy. Free Will and the Mob They made me do it … Continue reading

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Should The Great Apes Have Rights?

Animal rights. Human Nature. Humans have rights, should human-like animals? 30 May 2007 NewScientist.com news service Kate Douglas  HIASL is a gregarious 26-year-old who enjoys painting, watching wildlife documentaries and eating bananas. He’s emotional, empathic and self-aware and he shares … Continue reading

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Sex, brains, robots and Buddhism: looking for free will

Great article from New Scientist on Free Will. Sex, brains, robots and Buddhism: looking for free will New Scientist vol 178 issue 2394 – 10 May 2003, page 46 How much free will do you think you have? Does understanding how cause … Continue reading

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IVF – how old is too old?

Article about a 56 year old IVF mum. Social, ethics.

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Society vs the Family – religious beliefs and medical need

Premature babies refused treatment on religious grounds of parents. Scanned newspaper article. Good for social, ethical (ethics)and religious discussion. Jehovah’s Witness.

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Hypothesis booklet

All about hypothesis forming, the characteristics of a good hypothesis, testing hypotheses and hypotheses in the social sciences. Lots of worksheets included. Hypothesis

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