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Articles 1 - 29 of 29
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Which Voices Matter? Ballot Initiatives, Marijuana, And Legislative Paternalism In Utah, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Which Voices Matter? Ballot Initiatives, Marijuana, And Legislative Paternalism In Utah, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Drivers headed toward Salt Lake City on I-15 are sure to notice two things—the breathtaking Wasatch mountain range (when the thickness of inversion doesn’t obscure it) and a striking number of billboard ads warning citizens of the dangers of the misuse of opioids. This is not without good reason—Utah ranks 9th on the CDC’s list of states hit the hardest by opioid overdose. Misuse of opioids is responsible for 23 deaths every month, according to the Utah Department of Health. Empathy is called for when it comes to addiction in general, and addiction to opioids in particular. After all, many …
Making A Murderer, Brain Fingerprinting, And The Ownership Of Thoughts, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Making A Murderer, Brain Fingerprinting, And The Ownership Of Thoughts, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In 2015, Netflix released the first season of the docu-series Making a Murderer. The series follows the story of convicted murderer Steven Avery. Avery’s case is noteworthy because, in 1985, he was wrongfully convicted for the rape and attempted murder of Penny Beernsten. The Innocence Project used DNA technology that did not exist at the time at which Avery was convicted to prove that Avery was innocent and that a different man had committed the crime. Avery was released in 2003 and subsequently filed a $36 million lawsuit for unlawful conviction against Manitowoc County, among others.
A Requiem Of Retribution At A Black Mass: Whitey Bulger And Prisoner Welfare, Rachel Robinson-Greene
A Requiem Of Retribution At A Black Mass: Whitey Bulger And Prisoner Welfare, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On October 31, 2018, crime boss Whitey Bulger was found beaten to death in a West Virginia prison. Bulger was infamous for racketeering, committing murder, and evading capture for 16 years. His place on the FBI’s most wanted list was second only to Osama Bin Laden. He was finally captured in 2011 at the age of 81. He was convicted for his crimes and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, but served only six years before more than one fellow inmate beat him to death with a padlock stuffed inside a sock. Bulger was infamous for his crimes and was …
Rethinking Modification Of The Natural World, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Rethinking Modification Of The Natural World, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Aristotle famously pointed out that humans stand out from other living beings because humans are rational. To live a flourishing human life is to live in accordance with the dictates of reason. Much of the philosophical thought about the essence of man going forward was heavily influenced by what Aristotle had to say on this point. It is hard to deny the importance of rationality for the survival of the human species. Because we can reason, we can use language, make plans, satisfy obligations, know things about the world, and, importantly, we can change the world as we see fit …
Women, Representation, Revolution, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Women, Representation, Revolution, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
As the midterm election rapidly approaches, one thing is obvious—the number of women running for office is truly historic. There are 256 women running for Congress, 234 for seats in the House and 22 for seats in the Senate. The majority of the women running are Democrats. There are 197 Democratic female candidates and 59 Republican female candidates. The previous record for Democratic female nominees to the House was established in 2016, when 120 women were nominated, a record that is shattered by this year’s numbers. Historically, women have never comprised more than one-fourth of the House or the Senate. …
Decisions For The Dead: The Moral Dimensions Of Body Disposal, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Decisions For The Dead: The Moral Dimensions Of Body Disposal, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
When Monique Martinot died of ovarian cancer in 1984, her husband, hoping to achieve immortality for his wife through cryonics, placed her body in an industrial size freezer in his chateau in the town of Neuil–sur–Layon, France. When the husband, Raymond Martinot, realized, years later at the age of eighty, that his own death was imminent, he conveyed to his son that he would like to be frozen alongside his wife until such time that their bodies could be revived. French courts objected to this method of body disposal and demanded that both bodies be removed from the freezer and …
The Case Of Mollie Tibbetts: Considering Public Response To Tragedy, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The Case Of Mollie Tibbetts: Considering Public Response To Tragedy, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Twenty-year-old Mollie Tibbets was attacked by a stranger while out for a run on the evening of July 18th, 2018. The community searched for Mollie for over a month before her body was found in a nearby cornfield. The tragedy sparked a number of national conversations.
Where Should Your Money Go?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Where Should Your Money Go?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
We’ve all experienced pitches for donations that tugged on our heartstrings. During certain times of the year, when you walk into a supermarket, you can’t help encountering smiling, toothless young girl scouts pleading with you to buy cookies. On other occasions, you may run into firefighters who encourage you to put money into a boot to support the local fire department. On yet other occasions, you may be asked by a cashier at the department store if you’d like to donate to the Make-a-Wish foundation or the Special Olympics. I’m sure that all of us have, at one time or …
Spilled Blood In The Bloodline: The Ethics Of Using Genealogy To Catch Criminals, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Spilled Blood In The Bloodline: The Ethics Of Using Genealogy To Catch Criminals, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On April 24th 2018, authorities arrested 72- year-old Joseph James DeAngelo. Investigators had compelling evidence to suggest that DeAngelo committed at least 12 murders, 50 rapes, and over 100 burglaries throughout California in the 70s and 80s, earning him the monikers “The East Area Rapist” and “The Golden State Killer.” DeAngelo might have lived out his life without being caught were it not for the existence of a genealogy website.
Debating The Permissibility Of Printable Guns, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Debating The Permissibility Of Printable Guns, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In 2013, Cody Wilson, a self-described anarchist, made headlines when he posted plans for a 3D printable pistol called “The Liberator” online. The state department intervened and shut down the site, but not before the plans for the weapon were downloaded over a million times. Wilson promptly sued the government. This week, the government reached a settlement with Wilson. The settlement is quite favorable to Wilson and other gun rights advocates—it allows Wilson and others to proceed with their mission to post the instructions online.
A Trump Administration Press Secretary Walks Into A Restaurant, Rachel Robinson-Greene
A Trump Administration Press Secretary Walks Into A Restaurant, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On Friday, June 22nd, the Trump Administration’s Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, arrived and was seated at the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Virginia. Sanders was one guest in a party arriving for a reservation for eight, booked in her husband’s name. When the wait staff realized that Sanders was with the party, they called the owner of the restaurant, Stephanie Wilkinson. Wilkinson dropped everything and rushed to the restaurant. She allowed her employees to vote on a course of action. They voted to ask Sanders to leave. Wilkinson approached Sanders and said, “I’m the owner. I’d like you to …
Ethical Questions About Poverty Tourism, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Ethical Questions About Poverty Tourism, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
If you choose to visit one of the world’s big cities, a sightseeing option that may be available to you is what is frequently referred to as “poverty tourism.” If you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find tour buses that will drive you through the poorest parts of the city—places that you wouldn’t see if you hitched a ride on the standard hop-on-hop-off tourist bus. Poverty tourism is common in places that have been hit hard by natural disaster. Tourists tend to be curious about the extent of the devastation.
Should Political Apparel Be Allowed In Polling Places?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Should Political Apparel Be Allowed In Polling Places?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Showing up to cast a vote in an election in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries was a very different experience from the one with which we are familiar today. The occasion of casting a vote was a celebratory one, often attended by much food and drink. Voting was also a public act. In some cases, it was a matter of providing a signature under a candidate’s name, or vocally calling out one’s support for a particular candidate. Voter intimidation, often involving acts of violence, was common. Even when votes were cast on paper ballots, the standard …
The Ethics Of The Masterpiece Cake Shop Decision, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The Ethics Of The Masterpiece Cake Shop Decision, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On June 4, The Supreme Court announced its 7-2 ruling in favor of a baker who refused to bake a cake for the wedding of a same-sex couple. The public response was intense on both sides. People took to the streets and to social media to express their attitudes about the decision. One common misconception in the popular commentary on this topic appears to be that the Court ruled that places of business have the right to discriminate against patrons for religious reasons. The Court’s decision was actually much narrower. It did not create a religious exemption from anti-discrimination laws.
Should The Nfl’S Players Have To Pay To Protest?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Should The Nfl’S Players Have To Pay To Protest?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
This May, the NFL announced a new policy—any team with a member who kneels during the National Anthem will have to pay a fine. The policy was decided by a vote of the team owners. Union representatives for the players were not aware of the decision until it was announced. This new policy is a change in tone from the attitudes the league expressed last year and is a further development in an ongoing controversy sparked by players’ decision to protest by taking a knee during the National Anthem. In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick made headlines for kneeling during the …
When It Comes To The Environment, Is Education Morally Obligatory?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
When It Comes To The Environment, Is Education Morally Obligatory?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In April of this year, scientists from the Alfred Wegener Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research reported finding record amounts of plastic particles in the Arctic sea. Ice core samples were taken from five regions in the area. Up to 12,000 pieces of micro-plastic particles per liter of ice were found in the samples. Scientists believe that much of the plastic, cigarettes butts, and other debris came from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a mass of floating waste occupying 600,000 square miles between Hawaii and California.
California Has Its Own Travel Ban. Is That A Good Thing?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
California Has Its Own Travel Ban. Is That A Good Thing?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In January 2017, a California law went into effect that prohibits state funding for travel to states that have passed laws that are discriminatory toward members of the LGBTQ community. There are currently eight states on the list: Kansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota, and Texas. The ban does not limit personal, private travel in any way.
Banning Furs And Plastics: Vital Progress Of Unjust Restriction Of Liberty?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Banning Furs And Plastics: Vital Progress Of Unjust Restriction Of Liberty?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
It is easy to forget that our choices as consumers have significant consequences beyond satisfying our material needs or desires. Many of us make purchasing choices with little regard for how those choices affect other people, non-human animals, or the environment. In many cases, the stakes are tragically high. One proposal worth consideration, then, is that certain purchasing options should simply be off the table or should, at a minimum, be highly regulated.
Should Chimpanzees Be Granted Legal Personhood?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Should Chimpanzees Be Granted Legal Personhood?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In recent years, advocates for animal welfare have pursued legal rights for animals in the courts. Tommy and Kiko are chimpanzees who were once famous for their appearance in Hollywood films. Both now live in captivity in small cages—conditions that are far from optimal relative to what a flourishing life for a chimpanzee would look like. Hercules and Leo are chimpanzees who have been the subject of invasive medical research and experimentation for their entire lives, nearly a decade. Advocates for these animals argue that it is morally wrong to view them as mere property. There should be some legal …
The Puppy And The Snapping Turtle, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The Puppy And The Snapping Turtle, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On March 8, 2018, an abandoned, terminally ill puppy was brought into the classroom of Idaho high school science teacher Robert Crosland. Crosland, known for taking in sick animals, could tell that the puppy was beyond saving. After school, in front of a handful of his students, Crosland placed the sick puppy inside the tank of his snapping turtle. It drowned and was then eaten by the turtle. Crosland was reported for animal cruelty. The snapping turtle, a member of an invasive species, was confiscated and euthanized by the Department of Agriculture.
The National Popular Vote Bill: Innovative Solution Or End Run Around The Constitution?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The National Popular Vote Bill: Innovative Solution Or End Run Around The Constitution?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election with 306 Electoral College votes. He became the President of the United States despite the fact that more people voted for Hillary Clinton. Clinton won the popular vote by over 2.8 million votes. This result revived a familiar debate—should we abolish the Electoral College? At this point, advocates for a change to the system acknowledge that it is unlikely that the change will come about via an amendment to the Constitution. As a result, lawmakers have put their creativity to the test.
California Debates Parole For A Member Of The Manson Family, Rachel Robinson-Greene
California Debates Parole For A Member Of The Manson Family, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On the night of August 9, 1969, several young people crept into the Los Angeles home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. At the behest of cult leader Charles Manson, they stabbed the couple to death. Cult member Leslie Van Houten stabbed Rosemary LaBianca fourteen times. The group wrote messages on the wall in the victims’ blood. After she played her part in the murder, Van Houten took a shower, put on one of Rosemary LaBianca’s dresses, and ate some food from the refrigerator.
Lighting The Beacon: Presidential Discourse, American Exceptionalism, And Public Diplomacy In Global Contexts, Jason A. Gilmore, Charles Rowling
Lighting The Beacon: Presidential Discourse, American Exceptionalism, And Public Diplomacy In Global Contexts, Jason A. Gilmore, Charles Rowling
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
The idea of American exceptionalism has shaped American politics and captivated audiences for centuries. This study examines the global contexts in which U.S. presidents have invoked the idea of American exceptionalism when addressing foreign audiences since the end of World War II. Our results reveal: (a) differences in how U.S. presidents invoke American exceptionalism when speaking to a global audience (e.g., the United Nations) versus more localized, foreign audiences within individual states; (b) significant variation regarding which countries are more likely to be targets of American exceptionalism in U.S. presidential discourse; and (c) the profound impact that the end of …
Thomas S. Monson And The Politics Of Obituaries, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Thomas S. Monson And The Politics Of Obituaries, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, died on January 2 of this year. Monson led the LDS Church for almost a decade. On January 3, The New York Times published an obituary for Monson that was not well received by many members of the church. They felt that it was politically biased and did not paint the life and work of their much-loved leader in a positive light.
Lab Grown Meat: A Moral Revolution?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Lab Grown Meat: A Moral Revolution?, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In 2013, Dutch scientists announced that they had produced a lab-grown hamburger. Scientists generated the muscle cells comprising the burger—no animals were killed as part of the process. Many are hopeful that this “cultured meat” is the solution to many societal problems. Earlier this year, author Paul Shapiro and director of The Humane Society released a book called Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals will Revolutionize Dinner and The World. The book provides a history of the development of meat produced in labs and discusses the moral benefits of a future that includes meat produced in this way.
The Ethics Of Facebook’S Virtual Cemeteries, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The Ethics Of Facebook’S Virtual Cemeteries, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
In May, Facebook reported hitting 1.94 billion users—a statistic that speaks to the tremendous popularity and influence of the social network. As any Facebook user knows, members must take the good aspects of the technology with the bad. The network can be a great place to reconnect with old friends, to make new ones, and to keep in touch with loved ones who live far away. Unfortunately, conversations on Facebook also frequently end friendships. Facebook profiles and posts often tell us far more about people than may seem warranted by the intimacy level of our relationship with them.
Crispr, Moral Obligations, And Editing The Human Genome, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Crispr, Moral Obligations, And Editing The Human Genome, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
As our understanding of the human genome improves, pathways leading in the direction of new and powerful technologies are cleared. In recent years, scientists have developed a new technique called CRISPR, which allows them to edit the genome—adding, subtracting, or deleting pieces of genetic code. This process has the potential to bring about significant changes in human health. CRISPR could prevent children from being born with a wide range of painful or life-threatening conditions. So far, scientists have used this process in attempts to prevent blood disorders, allergies, heart disease, and to mutate the genome in such a way that …
The Shifting Ethical Landscape Of Online Shopping, Rachel Robinson-Greene
The Shifting Ethical Landscape Of Online Shopping, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
Throughout the course of 2017, after a disappointing bottom line during the 2016 holiday season, Macy’s department store closed 100 of its locations nationwide. Gap Inc. announced last year that it would close 200 underperforming Gap and Banana Republic locations, with an eye toward shifting greater focus to online sales. Shopping malls across the country resemble ghost towns—lined with the empty façades of the retail giants that once were.
In Trump’S Jerusalem Declaration, Diplomacy By Blowtorch, Rachel Robinson-Greene
In Trump’S Jerusalem Declaration, Diplomacy By Blowtorch, Rachel Robinson-Greene
Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications
On December 6, 2017, President Trump announced his intention to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from its current location in Tel Aviv to a new location in Jerusalem. This move is in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995 but waived by every president every year since it was passed. This decision has tremendous political implications, which is why previous presidents, despite conducting much of their business pertaining to Israel in Jerusalem, have refrained from moving the embassy or announcing any formal position on the matter of Jerusalem at all, other than to attempt to …