Category Archives: Social Ethics

Has Capitalism “Worked”?

Posted on June 7, 2019 by mdbwell

It’s laughable to me when critics of socialism parrot the cliché that “it has never worked anywhere in the world.” Usually, that prosaic statement is made not from primary research, but from lazy borrowing from others—who more than likely also … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty, Social Ethics | Tagged apostles, Barbara Ehrenreich, capitalism, compassion, Cornel West, Democratic Socialism, economic freedom, free enterprise, Harvey Cox, haves and have-nots, J. Philip Wogaman, Jane Addams, Jesus, Letty Russell, livable wages, Manning Marable, Martin Luther King Jr., mixed economy, poverty elimination, prophets, social services, Socialism, W. E. B. Du Bois, Walter Muelder | Leave a comment

Smarting Over Intelligence

Posted on July 21, 2018 by mdbwell

I am experiencing a bit of dissonance these days as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are constantly in the news. In terms of the agential members of these organizations pursuing the issue of other … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Ethics | Tagged American Experiment, Assassinations, Central Intelligence Agency, Civil Rights Movement, Cold War, Conspiracy, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hermeneutic of suspicion, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Obstruction of justice, Robert F. Kennedy, Russian interference, South Africa, Systemic Racism | Leave a comment

THE “USEFULNESS” OF MLK, JR.

Posted on April 4, 2018 by mdbwell

On April 4, 1968, I was grounded for some reason that now escapes me—probably because of paternal capriciousness rather than childhood petulance. I recall a few days earlier that I overheard my father opine that Martin Luther King, Jr., would … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Ethics | Tagged 1960s, 50th anniversary, April 4 1968, assassination, Black Lives Matter, Boston University, Christianity, Ebenezer Baptist Church, ethic of love, human dignity and worth, Jesus, justice, March for Our Lives, Martin Luther King Jr., materialism, Me Too, Memphis, militarism, Poverty, Pres. Kennedy, Racism, social movements, Voter Suppression | Leave a comment

WHAT ATE YOUR CHRISTMAS PLANS?

Posted on December 22, 2017 by mdbwell

Recently, a friend asked me regarding my plans for the holiday season. The text message was written hurriedly, for he and his wife were leaving for the weekend. I received the question, “What ate your Christmas plans?” Of course, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty, Social Ethics | Tagged American Experiment, arrogance, corruption, economic exploitation, ethics, lower class, middle class, oppression, resistance, richest Americans, structural discrimination, tax cuts, underclass, working class | Leave a comment

What Must Be Sacrificed?

Posted on November 17, 2017 by mdbwell

My friend and colleague, Thomas L. Kessler, has written a piece as a guest contributor to my blog. This post marks the first time I have invited another individual to offer remarks and commentary concerning contemporary ethical matters. Kessler’s article … Continue reading →

Posted in Race Relations, Social Ethics | Tagged America's Original Sin, Dr. B., Jim Wallis, Michael Eric Dyson, Newsweek, Sacrifice and Enlightenment, Tears We Cannot Stop, White Privilege, white supremacy | Leave a comment

The Supremacy of Sacrifice

Posted on October 23, 2017 by mdbwell

In 1982, as I was finishing my final courses for the master of divinity degree at Yale University, I wrote an op-ed piece for Newsweek’s “My Turn” column. I had the belief that the editors would look favorably upon a … Continue reading →

Posted in Race Relations, Social Ethics | Tagged #MAGA, James Baldwin, Manning Marable, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Eric Dyson, Newsweek, Race Relations, Sacrifice, Structural Racism, Systemic Racism, Tears We Cannot Stop, Tim Wise, W. E. B. Du Bois, White Privilege, white racism, white supremacy | Leave a comment

Dealing with North Korea

Posted on August 10, 2017 by mdbwell

As a thoroughgoing pacifist, I clearly disfavor the use of violence to resolve international conflict. How to respond to the growing nuclear capability of North Korea is rather complex, many experts say, and the options available to and being explored … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Ethics, War & Peace | Tagged China, first strike, Guam, international sanctions, Japan, Kim Jong Un, nuclear war, pacifism, persuasion, Russia, violence, weapons of mass destruction | Leave a comment

Felonious Violence or Not?

Posted on May 25, 2017 by mdbwell

I do not want representatives of our democracy to become so out of control that they attack reporters physically—regardless of how politicians or candidates might dislike their questioning. The body slamming of Ben Jacobs of The Guardian by Greg Gianforte … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Ethics | Tagged assault, Ben Jacobs, citizens, cruetly, descalation, disproportionality, disrespect, Donald Trump, felony, Greg Gianforte, hatred, healthy debate, journalism, justice, legislators, media, mindlessness, misanthrope, misdemeanor, narcissism, nonviolence, The Guardian, violence, voters | Leave a comment

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