Lethal injections and the tragedy of America's execution addiction

Jun 03, 2016 08:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Life Law

It began in Utah back in 1977. On January 17 of that year, Gary Gilmore became the first man to be executed in the US for more than a decade, ending a national moratorium on the death penalty. Gilmore, guilty of murdering...

The trolley dilemma: would you kill one person to save five?

Jun 03, 2016 08:14 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

Imagine you are standing beside some tram tracks. In the distance, you spot a runaway trolley hurtling down the tracks towards five workers who cannot hear it coming. Even if they do spot it, they wont be able to move out...

Ageing in harmony: why the third act of life should be musical

Jun 01, 2016 08:20 am UTC| Insights & Views Life Health

Its never too late to pick up a musical instrument. In fact there are many reasons why its a great idea, particularly in old age. We normally hear about reasons to increase music education for children, and for good...

Evolution of moral outrage: I'll punish your bad behavior to make me look good

Jun 01, 2016 02:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

What makes human morality unique? One important answer is that we care when other people are harmed. While many animals retaliate when directly mistreated, humans also get outraged at transgressions against others. And...

Harambe the gorilla put zoo in a lose-lose situation – by being himself

May 31, 2016 13:45 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

A gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo has been shot dead after a boy fell into his enclosure. When I told my wife, a former vice director of a zoo, she first asked if the boy was okay and then said how terrible for the keeper who...

Versailles: why world leaders should heed warnings from the fall of the French court

May 31, 2016 12:23 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Versailles, the new ten-part drama serial about Louis XIV of France, is to begin showing on UK television on BBC Two on June 1. Made by French group Canal Plus to mark the tercentenary of the legendary Sun Kings death in...

Six ways the ancient philosophy of Stoicism can help business entrepreneurs

May 30, 2016 07:35 am UTC| Insights & Views Business Life

With the increasing swirl of interest around mindfulness, resilience and innovation we cant forget that there are many who have trodden this path before us with important lessons we can borrow. Stoicism is the branch of...