Care vs. Autonomy: Nudging for Health and Relational Judgment in Reflective Professional Practice

The lecture will discuss the tensions between the ethical obligation to respect autonomy and the ethical obligation to provide care and promote human flourishing. It identifies the question this relationship poses for bioethics, psychology, and the helping professions such as medicine, nursing, social work, counseling, and public health. The pros and cons of three ways to resolve this tension are considered: (1) by appeal to reason, (2) by designing or curating contextual conditions influencing choice (often called “choice architecture” or “nudging”) in ways that constrain autonomy but do not violate its core value, and (3) by appeal to relational judgment in communicative and reflective professional practice. Care vs. Autonomy: Nudging for Health and Relational Judgment in Reflective Professional Practice - Read More…

The Road Through the Paris Climate Agreement

Last December over 190 countries met in Paris for the 21st meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change where they succeeded in creating a new international climate agreement. Many have heralded the outcome as a groundbreaking achievement for international diplomacy and global climate action. Others have argued that the climate commitments that parties brought to the table in Paris are ultimately too weak to achieve the agreements’ lofty aspirations. To better understand the significance of the new Paris Agreement we will review the recent history of the UN climate negotiations, and how this outcome evolved from earlier failed attempts in this process. A more important question however may be what new future for global climate cooperation is now required of us after Paris. To close the current gap between the Paris pledges for emission reductions, and what is needed to achieve our long-term goals for climate stabilization, we may need to look beyond the UN system to find new opportunities for enhanced climate action. The Road Through the Paris Climate Agreement - Read More…

Co-sponsored Event: African Feminisms around the World

Co-Sponsored Event: Trapped Film Screening

Trapped is an award winning documentary about the Targeted Regulations on Abortion Providers and how clinics have been fighting to continue providing access to folks seeking an abortion despite these TRAP laws. Come enjoy a FREE screening on Thursday 9/22 at 6:00PM at the State Theatre (130 W. College Ave. State College, PA) Co-Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Generation Action, Planned Parenthood Keystone, The Rock Ethics Institute, Center for Women Students, and UPAC Co-Sponsored Event: Trapped Film Screening - Read More…

2016 Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light Bike Trip to DC

The 2016 PA-IPL Bike Trip to Washington, DC will be leaving State College on April 29. If you are interested in participating, whether that be an engaged host for a meal, a meeting, a talk, a sing-a-long, or an overnight en route, please let us know. 2016 Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light Bike Trip to DC - Read More…

Co-Sponsored Event: Moral Progress and Social Transformation

Annual Lippin Lectureship in Ethics - How should we distribute educational goods?': some thoughts about theory and practice

The 2016 Lippin Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Harry Brighouse (Professor of Philosophy and Affiliate Professor of Educational Policy Studies at University of Wisconsin, Madison) and will focus on educational justice. Dr. Brighouse will discuss his current research relating to egalitarian educational justice, childhood, and education reform. Annual Lippin Lectureship in Ethics - How should we distribute educational goods?': some thoughts about theory and practice - Read More…

Job Talk: Decision making of autonomous systems in aerospace and automotive applications

Job Talk: Interpersonal Autopilots: Developing Autonomous Drones which are Interactive, Intuitive, and Ethical

Job Talk: Technical and Ethical Challenges of Autonomous Flight