More on Social Issues
How much say should people have in determining the circumstances of their demise? Is ultimate personal autonomy, even in death, the most important aspect of life?
London has changed considerably since Dickens immortalized his view of it, but many still see cities in general as progenitors of social ill. Are the criticisms of the city Dickens knew still relevant, or are we well on our way to resolving the issues he wrote about so eloquently?
The doctrine of “highest and best use” is the guiding principle by which land is bought and sold today. And we have only ourselves to blame for the results.
Issue People all over the globe long for a system of governance that will free them, once and for all, from oppression and injustice. Yet the model for such a system was laid out long ago, along with some very personal instructions on putting
The modern penal system in many nations has been a failed experiment in rehabilitation. Are reformation and reconciliation possible for those who have found themselves on the wrong side of prison bars?
Whether calling it a race to the top, to the bottom, or to nowhere, advocates of school reform often lose sight of the most important need of modern society: balanced individuals.
In response to a surging wave of crime that began in the 1960s, America got tough on crime. As a result, the United States currently incarcerates over 2 million people—nearly a quarter of the world’s prison population.
Ours is a world largely divided between those who have too little and those who have too much. In addressing this problem of access and excess, perhaps it is timely to consider the pertinent wisdom found in Judeo-Christian literature and in the works of a few modern alternative thinkers who have appreciated the same resource.
What will it take for Israelis and Palestinians, or other warring nations and groups, to begin working together in peace? One Israeli and one Palestinian are together showing how centuries of human experience can be transcended—to the benefit of not only themselves but their world.
The earthquake in Haiti earlier this year and subsequent devastation there resulted in what has now become a familiar response—the giving of large sums of money to provide humanitarian relief.
Research suggests that a child who lacks a positive sense of identity is much more likely to turn violent. Gina Stepp explores five keys to help prevent youth violence.
Environmentalism is the subject of ongoing heated debate all over the globe. But let’s set aside the political and commercial aspects of the discussion in order to ask, Where does God stand on the issue?
At some point every one of us has the opportunity to lead. What are the principles that enable us to lead with the interests of others foremost in mind?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to function.
Each year about a million people commit suicide. And for every suicide, there are between 10 and 20 suicide attempts. Figures show that about three times as many women as men try to kill themselves, but that men are four times as likely to succeed (in part because they tend to choose more violent methods).
The human brain can be retrained to think in ways that lead to better physical and mental health, according to recent research in the field of neuroscience. The retraining process is directly linked to mindful awareness of not only our thoughts but our behaviors.
Health professionals around the world are increasingly concerned about the growing incidence of depression. While new approaches to treatment appear promising, can this debilitating condition be prevented in the first place?
According to writer and philosopher A. C. Grayling, reading can be better appreciated by taking a historical look at the subject. He suggests that societal concerns about its future just add to society’s many excuses to worry and are based upon an assumption that reading has been a pillar of society throughout human history.
December 1 marked World AIDS Day, a day in which people around the world reflect on this global scourge and on the progress that has been made to date in the fight against the deadly HIV virus. According to the World Health Organization, more than 3 million people are living with HIV and AIDS today.
The majority of wars today are intrastate conflicts fought with small arms. And the disturbing news is that wherever such conflicts take place, many of those fighting are children.
Biblical passages on war and peace.
In the post-colonial backlash and in the face of increasing Muslim and other non-Western influence in Europe, a clash of cultures has emerged.
Rights have never been so extensively defined as today. But what happens when the perceived rights of two individuals or groups clash? Is there any basis for resolution?
Although terrorism isn’t the only reason to fear nuclear weapons, most experts agree that the possibility these weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists poses the greatest world threat.
One hundred and forty years ago January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln presented the American people with the proclamation of emancipation that freed the slaves in the Confederate states.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has launched an 18-month investigation of the 21st century’s social issues.
As a veritable cascade of material wealth floods much of the globe, many wonder why they do not feel any happier or more content with life.
It may come as a shock to realize that video gaming is almost 50 years old! Since then video games have proliferated in number, type and media. The increasingly graphic and gratuitous violence of some games has led to various attempts, most notably in the U.S., to proscribe certain types of violence: such as torture, mutilation, cannibalism and sexual violence.
Those of us in the developed world are increasingly prosperous and enjoy a level of affluence unknown to previous generations. But do abundant choices and material goods make us any happier?
Billed as a sweeping historical epic, the film Amazing Grace released Friday, February 23rd,in theaters across the United States, is the inspiring story of the British Member of Parliament William Wilberforce, played by Ioan Gruffudd, and his historic struggle to abolish slavery in the British Empire.
The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. After long and difficult campaigns in the United Kingdom and the United States, both nations passed legislation in the pivotal year of 1807 making it illegal to buy, sell or transport slaves. Here is a brief history of the origins of the African slave trade.
Lack of respect for the elderly is a contributing factor to elder abuse
Slavery could be present in your own community. It is often well concealed in the large cities, in sweatshops, in private homes using domestic workers, and in service industries such as food services and landscaping. It can also go without detection at remote locations such as in mines and on farms using migrant workers. To fight this most effectively requires that all of us remain alert and recognize it.
History credits Abraham Lincoln with preserving the Union during the American Civil War and bringing about the emancipation of the slaves. There can be no doubt of Lincoln 's deep and sincere devotion to the cause of personal freedom. Here is just a sampling of his statements on the subject.
Special Report: Human TraffickingFebruary 16, 2007 Down to SlaveryThe year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of British and American legislation outlawing human trafficking. Yet, in those nations and throughout the world, slavery and the slave trade are flourishing realities.On Abolishing Slavery (Again)Kevin Bales
Social Issues
Down to Slavery
Winter 2007 Issue
The Song of the Nubian Slave by Frederick Goodall, RA (1822-1904)
“The dark side of globalization allows multinational criminal syndicates to broaden their range of operations from drug and arms traff
Elder abuse is a growing problem everywhere, according to the World Health Organization and other agencies. Why is it so prevalent, and what can be done about it?
Elder abuse is a serious problem, not just in some nations but around the world. “It is a problem that crosses all geographic, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic barriers,” states Elizabeth Podnieks, vice president of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
Not every offense is necessarily classified as abuse. The man who won’t allow his elderly mother to take a walk by herself, for instance, may be overprotective but isn’t necessarily abusive. In order for an infraction to be considered abuse, it generally must fall into at least one of the following categories.
In October 2004, Slow Food International will present its biannual exhibition, Salone del Gusto, in Torino, Italy.
The World Health Organization released a report on obesity last year, which showed that more than one billion people are now considered overweight.
As the Slow Food movement has matured and grown, the tongue-in-cheek label is no longer a joke.
Most people agree that character has to do with moral behavior. But on what authority can we define character or determine how it is achieved?
A brief look at feminism in the third world.
Are mental and emotional health better served by ignoring a guilty conscience or by yielding to it?
Greed is as old as human history. Enough, it seems, is seldom enough.
Fascination with poker is growing everywhere, and with it, some rather Machiavellian ideas.
Vision publisher David Hulme interviews author Jonathan Glover about his book Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. Glover is director of the Center of Medical Law and Ethics at King's College, London.
Despite our best efforts toward peace, the story of humanity is in large part the story of animosity and violence. What is it about people that leads them to treat one another as adversaries?
Twenty-five years after his death, Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll, is still the object of reverence and adulation. Why?
A new genre of television programming is reminiscent of an ancient manifestation of human nature's dark side.
A new genre of television programming is reminiscent of an ancient manifestation of human nature's dark side.
Many people view gambling, the legalized form in particular, as little more than harmless personal entertainment. Not everyone agrees, of course. In fact, “governments become addicted to gambling every bit as much as people do,” says one opponent.
Is the current trend toward more modest clothing a sign of changing values?
An Italian food critic's joke has spawned a serious worldwide movement opposing fast food.
The Western world's obsession with work has a long history. But on what is it founded?
Can the life of a humble teacher of botany who lived at a much simpler time offer insight for a world caught up in the fast-paced information age?
September 11, 2001: A date for most that was a kind of turning point, a hinge of history. “Nothing will ever be the same again.”
Does equality have to mean sameness, or can men and women capitalize on their differences to create synergy between the sexes?
What can parents do to shield children from the pressure to grow up too fast?
Bullying is not limited to physical violence. Victims are usually reluctant to tell school officials or even their own parents.
Book Review: Blood, Sweat and Tears: The Evolution of Work by Richard Donkin; The Working Life: The Promise and Betrayal of Modern Work by Joanne B. Ciulla; Beyond the Bottom Line: The Search for Dignity at Work by Paula M. Rayman.
You are what you eat. The proverb is not just about our diets; it's also true of what we put into our minds. A quick look at the latest movie guide, television listing or video-game store offers ample evidence that children are at serious risk of being malnourished or even poisoned in this regard.
Injustice takes many forms but at its simplest might be described as people treating others unfairly, or doing harm to others. In this interview with Jonathan Glover, which first appeared in the Summer 2001 issue, the British ethics professor addresses the human proclivity for cruelty.
As the world recalls the end of World War II, Vision examines Adolf Hitler's rise to power, the unprecedented cruelty he unleashed, and the lessons to be remembered.
The absence of men in churches is not a new phenomenon. Several scholars and church leaders have noticed and addressed the trend.