People are so quick and smug to say, “You shouldn’t judge so much” or that they don’t judge. Next time you notice yourself judging, try to notice if you chose to create that feeling of judgment or if the feeling happened without conscious intent. The involuntary part I haven’t experienced how anyone’s mind works but my own, but as best I can tell, feelings of judgment happen automatically, without conscious[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “Should You Tell Uber Your Driver Was High?” While traveling with my daughter and granddaughters, I booked an Uber car to go to the airport. When I got in the car, I smelled marijuana. Because we were running late and there was a lot of traffic, I stayed[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “Can Therapists Fake Their Own Online Reviews?” I am caught between competing ethical requirements. I am a mental-health professional with substantial experience; some people call me an expert. I recently expanded my private-practice hours. To increase patient numbers, I joined an online referral service (at considerable expense). Here’s[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “What’s a Liberal to Do When His Spouse Is a Trump Zealot?” My wife and I have been married for more than 30 years. We have always had political differences — she leans right, while I lean left — but that has never prevented us from amicably discussing[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “Can a Researcher Studying an Alzheimer’s Treatment Try It on Himself?” I’m an older scientist who has spent decades leading a small laboratory at a well-known medical center. Much of our work is purely for the joy of discovery, but we also seek badly needed cures for illnesses.[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “What to Do About a Co-Worker Who Drinks on the Job?” A co-worker of mine has recently adopted the habit of having a glass of wine at lunch. She is the only one of our small group who drinks alcohol at lunch; others of our group find this[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of responses to the New York Times’, The Ethicist, without imposing values, here is my take on today’s post, “Should You Report a Green-Card Marriage?” I am an American living abroad and working as a consultant for a U.S. government-funded project. I am not a full-time government employee, but technically my fees come from U.S. taxpayer money. I was recently invited to the wedding of a local[…] Keep reading →