Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “Can You Keep a Woman From Courting Your Elderly Dad?” We are a large family, and our father is in his 80s. Our mother died several years ago, so our father moved into an upscale retirement[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “Should a Friend Be Told the Real Reason He Didn’t Get the Job?” A friend whom I like and admire a great deal applied for a teaching job at a private school where my wife used[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “Is It O.K. to Take a Gender-Non-Conforming Child to North Carolina?” For the past 10 years, my husband’s family has convened for an annual summer reunion at a beach house in North Carolina. It’s great fun[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “How Do I Explain to My Evangelical Relatives Why I Avoid Family Functions?” I grew up in a strict evangelical home and participated in our church as a child without fully understanding its principles. As an[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “Must I Tell My Long-Distance Boyfriend I Met Someone Else?” I have been with my boyfriend for several years, and I love him very much. We each decided to study abroad for the spring semester of[…] Keep reading →

We all have strong motivations—what I call passions. Some of us feel like we don’t, but we do. Motivations that drive us our whole lives, that we can always tap for energy to do things. Some we like, others we don’t. Some are solitary, others are social. One thing for everyone: our greatest passions are also our greatest vulnerabilities. Great passions enable others, if they know about them, to motivate[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, “Is It O.K. to Get a Dog From a Breeder, Not a Shelter?” I got my wonderful, loving dog from a reputable breeder about eight years ago, but sometimes I feel guilty that I didn’t adopt[…] Keep reading →