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The Fair Society

Human nature and the pursuit of a more just political system

Politics
A Dangerous Division

Peter Corning Ph.D. on April 28, 2012

Partisan loyalties and antagonism toward other groups, a deep psychological predisposition in humankind, can become mutually destructive when a society has deep economic disparities. Is there a path forward?

Partisan loyalties and antagonism toward other groups, a deep psychological predisposition in humankind, can become mutually destructive when a society has deep economic disparities. Is there a path forward?

Confidence
Lessons of the Titanic

Peter Corning Ph.D. on April 12, 2012

The one-hundredth anniversary of an iconic human tragedy is also a time to look back and learn from an easily avoidable disaster.

The one-hundredth anniversary of an iconic human tragedy is also a time to look back and learn from an easily avoidable disaster.

Health
Economic Inequality Is the Culprit

Peter Corning Ph.D. on April 6, 2012

A landmark book details evidence of the many kinds of harm caused by extreme economic inequality. What can we do?

A landmark book details evidence of the many kinds of harm caused by extreme economic inequality. What can we do?

Ethics and Morality
And the Moral Is…Morals Matter

Peter Corning Ph.D. on March 17, 2012

The cri de coeur by a disillusioned Goldman Sachs’ executive this week underscores a fundamental truth that is not found in Ayn Rand’s novels, or in most mainstream economics textbooks.

The cri de coeur by a disillusioned Goldman Sachs’ executive this week underscores a fundamental truth that is not found in Ayn Rand’s novels, or in most mainstream economics textbooks.

Health
“Moral Hazard” or Moral Myopia?

Peter Corning Ph.D. on March 1, 2012

Punishing the “undeserving” few at the expense of the many who deserve to be helped is a misguided moral stance.

Punishing the “undeserving” few at the expense of the many who deserve to be helped is a misguided moral stance.

Laughter
Laughter as Therapy

Peter Corning Ph.D. on February 20, 2012

Traditional medicine and grim political diatribes can do only so much to heal our wounds as a society. Why not try, yes, laughter.

Traditional medicine and grim political diatribes can do only so much to heal our wounds as a society. Why not try, yes, laughter.

Ethics and Morality
Adam Smith’s Psychology

Peter Corning Ph.D. on February 13, 2012

Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” image was not a license for greed. In an earlier work, he was an advocate for morality and the Golden Rule. Too bad economists have cherry-picked his writings.

Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” image was not a license for greed. In an earlier work, he was an advocate for morality and the Golden Rule. Too bad economists have cherry-picked his writings.

Denial
A Matter of Life and Death

Peter Corning Ph.D. on February 1, 2012

Both ends of the political spectrum have been myopic, or in denial, about our basic needs. It’s time to recognize these biological imperatives as a “social right.”

Both ends of the political spectrum have been myopic, or in denial, about our basic needs. It’s time to recognize these biological imperatives as a “social right.”

Fantasies
The American Dream: A Replay

Peter Corning Ph.D. on January 24, 2012

A popular theme in science fiction and Hollywood movies is the idea of a do-over in life. What if income had been distributed in this country over the past 30 years the same way it was in the 1950s and 1960s? It would be a very different country.

A popular theme in science fiction and Hollywood movies is the idea of a do-over in life. What if income had been distributed in this country over the past 30 years the same way it was in the 1950s and 1960s? It would be a very different country.

Identity
The American Dream: Time to Wake Up

Peter Corning Ph.D. on January 19, 2012

The “land of opportunity,” rags-to-riches dream has long been a part of the American narrative, but it is sadly out of date and now serves mainly to justify the status quo. It’s time to confront this harsh reality.

The “land of opportunity,” rags-to-riches dream has long been a part of the American narrative, but it is sadly out of date and now serves mainly to justify the status quo. It’s time to confront this harsh reality.

Environment
Darwin’s Psychology

Peter Corning Ph.D. on January 2, 2012

Darwin’s name has long been used to justify an every-man-for-himself, “survival of the fittest” ideology. But the Social Darwinists are wrong. Darwin’s Darwinism was radically different, and the emergent science of human nature supports his model.

Darwin’s name has long been used to justify an every-man-for-himself, “survival of the fittest” ideology. But the Social Darwinists are wrong. Darwin’s Darwinism was radically different, and the emergent science of human nature supports his model.

Career
Occupy a "Fair Society"

Peter Corning Ph.D. on December 5, 2011

With some 50 million people living in or near poverty in this country, our capitalist economy is falling far short. The Occupy Wall Street movement highlighted the need for a fair society. Here is a vision for a new social contract grounded in our innate sense of fairness.

With some 50 million people living in or near poverty in this country, our capitalist economy is falling far short. The Occupy Wall Street movement highlighted the need for a fair society. Here is a vision for a new social contract grounded in our innate sense of fairness.

Law and Crime
“How to Lie with Statistics”

Peter Corning Ph.D. on November 28, 2011

A classic 1950s book reminds us that the numerical precision of statistics can mask anything from an irrelevant average to a flat out falsehood. Here are some of the tricks to watch out for during the coming election year.

A classic 1950s book reminds us that the numerical precision of statistics can mask anything from an irrelevant average to a flat out falsehood. Here are some of the tricks to watch out for during the coming election year.

Depression
Mind the Gap!

Peter Corning Ph.D. on November 19, 2011

There are two radically different narratives in our political rhetoric these days but only one reality in our disgraceful national statistics. It’s time for our politicians to “Mind the Gap.”

There are two radically different narratives in our political rhetoric these days but only one reality in our disgraceful national statistics. It’s time for our politicians to “Mind the Gap.”

Politics
A Broken Nation?

Peter Corning Ph.D. on November 12, 2011

The senior British journalist Ed Vulliamy believes this is exactly what is happening in his own once great country. He sees the recent widespread riots there as a symptom of a cultural collapse. Is our country on a similar path?

The senior British journalist Ed Vulliamy believes this is exactly what is happening in his own once great country. He sees the recent widespread riots there as a symptom of a cultural collapse. Is our country on a similar path?

Education
Blaming the Victims

Peter Corning Ph.D. on November 5, 2011

The age-old claim that the poor are condemned to poverty because they are lazy, or free-loaders, has been joined by the charge that the poor have only themselves to blame for not getting a college education—the ticket to a better life. The critics obviously know nothing about poverty, or human diversity.

The age-old claim that the poor are condemned to poverty because they are lazy, or free-loaders, has been joined by the charge that the poor have only themselves to blame for not getting a college education—the ticket to a better life. The critics obviously know nothing about poverty, or human diversity.

Deception
Liars and Lying! Who Cares?

Peter Corning Ph.D. on October 31, 2011

There was a time when lying in politics was viewed as a betrayal of the public trust. Liars were often punished at the polls. Now the reverse is true. Lying often pays, and we’re to blame for this. How about creating a “Liars Hall of Shame”?

There was a time when lying in politics was viewed as a betrayal of the public trust. Liars were often punished at the polls. Now the reverse is true. Lying often pays, and we’re to blame for this. How about creating a “Liars Hall of Shame”?

Trust
The Value of Trust

Peter Corning Ph.D. on October 24, 2011

The “free market,” competitive, capitalist model that still dominates our economic thinking, and our business ethics, short-changes other social values that are vitally important. One of them is trust. It seems our markets also depend on oxytocin.

The “free market,” competitive, capitalist model that still dominates our economic thinking, and our business ethics, short-changes other social values that are vitally important. One of them is trust. It seems our markets also depend on oxytocin.

Politics
Compromise? Consider the Alternatives

Peter Corning Ph.D. on October 19, 2011

With growing street protests and another test of the political gridlock in Washington just ahead, it may be time to reconsider the conventional wisdom. Compromises may have both practical and moral consequences.

With growing street protests and another test of the political gridlock in Washington just ahead, it may be time to reconsider the conventional wisdom. Compromises may have both practical and moral consequences.