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Rationally Speaking is a blog maintained by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, a philosopher at the City University of New York. The blog reflects the Enlightenment figure Marquis de Condorcet's idea of what a public intellectual (yes, we know, that's such a bad word) ought to be: someone who devotes himself to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them." You're welcome. Please notice that the contents of this blog can be reprinted under the standard Creative Commons license.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Michael’s Picks

by Michael De Dora
* In the first half of 2011, states enacted a record number of restrictions (162) on reproductive health and rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute. 
* A town clerk in upstate New York has quit her job in order to avoid having to sign marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples, citing religious objections. 
* The ACLU has found Florida lawmakers misled the public in efforts to repeal a ban on taxpayer money going to religious institutions. 
* Americans United updates us on a troubling proposed amendment to the Missouri state constitution that could open the door to government-promoted religion.  
* Guy Kahane writes that even if so-called “morality pills” are science fiction, they still provide a good thought experiment.  
* Austin Dacey and Colin Koproske have an intriguing essay in the latest issue of Dissent Magazine in which they argue for a rethinking of the concept of religious freedom.
* The Chronicle of Higher Education has a great essay on the “neurophilosophical” work being done by Patricia Churchland, professor of philosophy at the University of California at San Diego and author of the recent book “Braintrust.”
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3 comments:

  1. GadflyJuly 17, 2011 8:33 PM

    I'm going to keep an eye out for Churchland's book. Like her, I strongly oppose system-building philosophies/ers.

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  2. ccbowersJuly 18, 2011 11:35 AM

    I wonder why same sex marriages was the final straw. I'm sure she was doing things in her job every day that was "against (her) god." I wonder if she had a say on which heterosexual marriages she put her signature on. I wonder why this is news, but the fact that it at least means that it is likely unusual

    For the moral pill thought experiment: It seems like the effects described could also be used to take advantage of others. Talk about the making of conspiracy theories... "the government is adding the power cocktail of fluoxetine, oxytocin, and flouride to keep us all in line and to control our minds." I joke

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  3. SheldonJuly 21, 2011 11:56 PM

    "A town clerk in upstate New York has quit her job in order to avoid having to sign marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples, citing religious objections."

    Good, I am sure a better person will be happy to do that job.

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