When Moral Arguments Become Intractable

When Agents Become Principals:

This paper argues that the publishing of academic research by and large belongs to the public sector domain, and that the scientific knowledge stemming from the public sectors is important for innovation. In 2004 the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (UHR) introduced an incentive based system in which academic institutions receive economic compensation as a function or thei...

Moral and Epistemic Open-question Arguments

As advertised in its subtitle, Terence Cuneo’s rich new book, The Normative Web, puts forth an argument for moral realism. Moral realism, Cuneo argues, is on a par with epistemic realism—roughly, the view that there are genuine epistemic facts, facts such as that it is reasonable to believe that astrology is false. These two realist doctrines stand or fall together. But epistemic realism is tru...

From gulf to bridge: when do moral arguments facilitate political influence?

Much of contemporary American political rhetoric is characterized by liberals and conservatives advancing arguments for the morality of their respective political positions. However, research suggests such moral rhetoric is largely ineffective for persuading those who do not already hold one's position because advocates advancing these arguments fail to account for the divergent moral commitmen...

When does conscientiousness become perfectionism ?

Gordon L. Flett, PhD Canada Research Chair in Personality and Health York University Toronto Mr. C is a 50-year-old professional writer who recently made a serious suicide attempt. At his initial session, Mr. C was hesitant to discuss his situation and reason for attending. He did, however, bring a copy of his résumé so the therapist could “get to know him quickly.” He said he had been depresse...

When Does Influence Become Undue?