Prindle Institute for Ethics Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Prindle Institute for Ethics
Special guest host Jen Everett joins us as we learn how to challenge our thinking about the environment with the indigenous philosopher Kyle Whyte.
Is it ever acceptable to criticize a protester’s methods? We discuss the ethics of protest by exploring the story of the Freeman Field Mutiny.
What are achievements and how should we talk about them? Philosopher Gwen Bradford discusses the ethics of achievement on this episode of Examining Ethics.
What are the ethics of skepticism? We turn skepticism inside out and upside down with philosopher Barry Lam and geologist Jeane Pope.
We're discussing the ethics of voting in this special election day 2016 episode of Examining Ethics. Listen to experts and everyday people's thoughts on voting.
We're exploring the ethics of incarceration by uncovering the gripping story of the first women's prison in the United States.
On today’s episode, we have one major question for philosopher Seth Lazar: is it ever acceptable to kill civilians in war? As with all good questions in philosophy, it turned out to be a lot more complicated than we initially thought.
We're exploring ethics and immigration by looking at the story of a group of Hoosiers who helped Japanese American students escape internment camps.
Poet Tarfia Faizullah joins us to discuss the ethics of poetry and her new book, Seam. Friend of the podcast and poet Joe Heithaus interviews Tarfia.
This is a story of a failed transportation project that bankrupted the state of Indiana 200 years ago. We uncover the human suffering this canal system causes and the moral questions it raises with the help of Lee Hamilton and Jim Madison.
On this episode of Examining Ethics, we interview David Benatar and David Wasserman, the authors of Debating Procreation: Is It Wrong to Reproduce?
In this episode, we discuss the ethics of having children and more with philosophers Samantha Brennan and Sarah Hannan, the editors of Permissible Progeny: The Morality of Procreation and Parenting.
What role should white people play in fighting against racial injustice? We discuss this with legendary scholar Peggy McIntosh and philosopher Alison Bailey.
Is it possible for animals to be moral? Philosopher Mark Rowlands challenges the idea that animals have no capacity for morality. He argues that not only do animals have emotions, those emotions can motivate them to make moral decisions.
Many of the biggest issues in ethics come down to a dispute between individuals and groups. We explore this idea first with the philosopher Lori Gruen. She explains why keeping pets or incarcerating people does harm to the autonomy and dignity of the individual. Then, we interview the public health and ethics expert Martin Wilkinson, who explains that because of a worldwide organ shortage, we have an interest in procuring organs of the recently dead. Martin Wilkinson will explain to us how difficult it is to balance that need against individual rights (even after they’re dead). For the episode transcript and show credits, visit https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/individuals-vs-groups/.
How do big systems impact our daily lives? Producers Sandra Bertin and Christiane Wisehart kick off the episode with a discussion about the ways women’s voices are subject to criticism. Then, we interview the ethicist Rebecca Gordon about her book Mainstreaming Torture. Finally, we talk to philosopher Robin Zheng about her work on racialized sexual preferences. Visit https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/systems-in-sheeps-clothing/ for a complete transcript of the episode.
Working hard or hardly working because you are utterly burnt out? On today's episode of Getting Ethics to Work, Andy and Kate discuss the phenomenon of burnout and its relationship to ethics. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/exploring-burnout/
Andy and Kate discuss social agreements on the show today.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/social-agreements/
What is a time vampire and do you work with one? Do you suspect maybe you are one? On today's episode of Getting Ethics to Work, Andy and Kate discuss the ethics of taking up someone's most precious resource--their time. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/are-you-a-time-vampire/
We're discussing foundational ideals on the show today.
Download this episode's transcript here:https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/foundational-ideals/
Do you ever feel like your workplace is similar to a kingdom or a fiefdom? That your boss might be more dictatorial than democratic? On today’s episode of Getting Ethics to Work, Andy and Kate discuss the sometimes alarming parallels between businesses and governments. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode’s transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/are-you-working-for-a-dictator/
We're discussing the ethics of inner thoughts and intentions today.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/inner-thoughts/
We've all experienced some level of bullshit on the job. You might have even experienced a co-worker or boss explaining to you that bullshit is just the cost of doing business. But as Andy explains, bullshit is an issue that deserves to be taken seriously. On today's episode of Getting Ethics to Work, Andy and Kate discuss bullshit and its relationship to truth. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/world-of-bs/
On today's episode, Andy and Kate discuss consequentialism.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/consequences/
Itamar Shatz is a scholar at Cambridge University whose website, Effectiviology, helps people act and think more effectively using the latest insights from psychology and philosophy. He talks with Andy on this episode of Getting Ethics to Work about cognitive biases in the workplace and how we might avoid them. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/cognitive-bias/
Have you ever experienced being held “boss-tage”? That is, having your boss ask you not only for work-related tasks, but for friendship as well? Andy and Kate discuss the pitfalls of friendships between managers and direct reports on today’s episode of Getting Ethics to Work. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode’s transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/boss-tage/
Loyalty is a virtue in many relationships. But what about work relationships? Do you owe a company or workplace your loyalty if they've treated you well? Andy and Kate discuss the virtue of loyalty in the workplace on today's episode of Getting Ethics to Work. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/company-loyalty/
Bad ideas are easy to dismiss. They waste resources and might have terrible outcomes. However, there might be compelling reasons for managers to be a little more open-minded about the ideas that new employees bring to the table. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/taking-bad-ideas-seriously/
Philosopher Elizabeth Anderson joins Andy on the show to discuss the relationship between so-called bullsh*t jobs and the Protestant work ethic. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/bs-jobs/
When are zero tolerance policies effective tools in workplace culture and when are they vehicles for hypocrisy? On today's show, Andy and Kate discuss a listener's question about a zero tolerance policy in his workplace--the United States Navy. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/zero-tolerance/
On the show today, Andy and Kate discuss both virtue and care ethics.
Download this episode's transcript here: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/virtue-and-care-ethics/
Shouldn't we always strive for equality in the workplace? On today's show, Andy argues that it might be better to strive for equity rather than equality. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/equality-vs-equity/
What is privacy in the workplace and why might it be important? Is it possible to strike a balance between transparency and respecting privacy? On today's episode, Andy and Kate discuss new forms of technology that some employers are using to spy on their employees. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/the-importance-of-privacy/
Whether you're an employee, a manager or a business-owner, you know that fear can have a huge impact on decision-making. This is especially true when we're facing a deadly global pandemic. On today's episode, Andy and Kate explore courage as a virtue using a case of fear-shaming over concerns about COVID-19 at the office. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/fear-and-courage/
Are we obligated to be honest at work? What does it mean to practice the virtue of honesty, and honestly, is it worth all the trouble, especially at work? On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/honesty/
Political scientists Clarissa Peterson and Emmitt Y. Riley, III join Andy on today's show to discuss racial resentment at work. Dr. Peterson and Dr. Riley explain that racial resentment is an especially pervasive issue and a form of racism that makes its way into nearly every corner of modern life in America--even the workplace. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/racial-resentment-at-work/
Giving gifts can be tricky business, especially at work. Join Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison along with special guest and philosopher Jessica Mejía as they discuss the ethics of gift-giving at work. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/gift-giving-at-work/
What should you do if your boss tells you to keep a secret for nefarious reasons? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss what to do when your terrible boss asks you to keep something between the two of you. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/lets-keep-it-between-us-part-2/
Why would a company ever bother being certified as a "B Corp"? In order to be classified as a B Corporation, a company must undergo an intense certification process that requires companies to balance profit with purpose. So why go to all that trouble? Andy Cullison interviews Christopher Marquis on the show today, who makes the argument that in order to transform capitalism as we know it, businesses must become better. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/to-b-corp-or-not-to-b-corp-with-christopher-marquis/
What is "white talk" and what does it look like in the workplace? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison interviews the philosopher Alison Bailey, whose work centers on problematic habits that people fall into when they are in uncomfortable terrain. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/white-talk-at-work-with-alison-bailey/
You share a problem with your boss and she tells you to keep it a secret. What should you do? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss a listener question about what to do when your boss asks you to keep something between the two of you. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/lets-keep-it-between-us-part-1/
What do you do when your employer makes an unreasonable request? Is it better to just fold and do the thing, or is it possible to use moral reasoning skills to find the middle ground? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss a listener question about what to do when your boss asks you to do something and you don't want to. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/standing-up-for-yourself-at-work/
Do you have a passive-aggressive co-worker and don't know how to handle them? Are you ever worried that you're the passive-aggressive one, but feel powerless to change? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss the moral psychology of passive aggression and give you some action steps to help manage it in the workplace! On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face at work.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/managing-passive-aggression/
What is antiracism and why should we consider it one of the virtues, like courage or honesty? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry explore the ways in which antiracism--as defined by scholars like Angela Davis and Ibram X. Kendi--is a virtue. On this episode and every episode, we dig into the complicated moral issues people face in the workplace.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/antiracism-is-a-virtue/
Have you ever been in a meeting where a colleague weaponizes skepticism in conversations about moral issues? Have you ever wondered why it feels so wrong, since skepticism and critical feedback are often keys to a healthy workplace? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss skepticism and how it can turn from a normal expression of doubt into a conversation stopper. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/conversation-stoppers/
Many people in the United States are now working from home in an effort to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. This brings up all sorts of ethical dilemmas, including the one we're discussing on this week's show: Should you feel guilty if you're getting paid the same amount to do "less" work? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss the guilt some employees might feel when working from home during a crisis. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/lockdown-guilt/
As government officials discuss their plans for re-opening the economy, business owners and office managers alike have many questions. How should one go about running their business if they also want to slow the spread of COVID-19? Even if local officials suggest that re-opening one's business is okay, are there other considerations to think about? We've got a special guest co-host on this show, Dr. Jessica Mejía. She's the Visiting Schaenen Scholar here at the Prindle Institute for Ethics. She joins Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison for this week's discussion. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/considerations-for-opening-the-economy/
Many people in the United States are now working from home in an effort to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. This brings up all sorts of ethical dilemmas, including the one we're discussing on this week's show: How do expectations change with such a massive societal shift? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry mull over the reasons expectations might have to shift with new circumstances. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/managing-expectations/
Airbnb's chief ethics officer Rob Chesnut is on the show today. He discusses his forthcoming book, Intentional Integrity with our resident ethicist Andy Cullison. Listen in as they talk about the ever-increasing need for moral integrity in the workplace. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/you-cant-outsource-integrity-with-rob-chesnut/
Many people in the United States are now working from home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. This brings up all sorts of ethical dilemmas, including the one we're discussing on this week's show: Should employees be required to use their personal devices when working from home? A special thank you to listener Robin, who sent in a great question that sparked our conversation. Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry examine her question about the ethics of using personal computers when working from home. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/personal-devices/
Life sure isn't fair, but does that mean we shouldn't strive for more equity in the workplace? Most of us believe that salaries should be equal, but what about the opportunity to develop skills beyond the job description? Should everyone get an equal chance to learn new skills at work? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry examine the ethics of skill development equity. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/life-isnt-fair-but-work-can-be/
Is telling on people at work tattling or whistleblowing? Should we snitch on wrongdoers or mind our own stinkin' business? Getting Ethics to Work’s resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry examine the ethics of snitching at work. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/snitching-at-work/
So you're friends with a co-worker and your boss isn't too happy about it. Who is wrong and who is right? Is it okay to maintain friendships at work? Getting Ethics to Work's resident ethicist Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry discuss the pitfalls and pleasures of making friends at work. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/friendships-at-work/
Is it okay to tease co-workers? Is making gentle fun at work a bad thing? The answer is not as clear-cut as you might think. Getting Ethics to Work's host Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry dissect a case about Bob, his weird shirts and the colleagues who make fun of him. On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
For this episode’s transcript and shownotes visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/making-fun/
What is Getting Ethics to Work anyway? What are we trying to do with this podcast? On this Very Special Episode™ you'll get to know our host Andy Cullison and producer Kate Berry. They explain that most workplace problems boil down to a tension over values, which is why it's important to learn about ethics and develop moral reasoning skills. You'll also hear about the Secret Sauce of Leadership™ and (surprise!) how it relates to ethics.
For a transcript of the show and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/what-are-we-doing-here/
Could there be anything wrong with looping your boss into an email thread? Isn't complete transparency a good thing? Andy Cullison and Getting Ethics to Work producer Kate Berry discuss a workplace dilemma in which an employee CCs his boss in an email exchange with a co-worker.
Could there be anything wrong with looping your boss into an email thread? Isn't complete transparency a good thing? Our resident ethicist Andy Cullison and Getting Ethics to Work producer Kate Berry discuss a workplace dilemma in which an employee CCs his boss in an email exchange with a co-worker.
On this episode and every episode, we dig into complicated stories from the workplace and discuss the underlying moral problems these cases bring up.
Download this episode’s transcript.
Shownotes "CC-ing the Boss on Email Makes Employees Feel Less Trusted" by David De Cremer More about David De Cremer Related articles: "Collaborative Overload" by Rob Cross, Reb Rebele and Adam Grant "The Passive-Aggressive Email Tactic That All Office Workers Abhor" by Alison Green What is "ethics"? Credits:
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For this episode’s transcript and shownotes, visit: https://www.prindleinstitute.org/podcast/whats-so-bad-about-cc-ing-the-boss/