The Ethicist

Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah. Sign up for the Ethicist newsletter, for Times subscribers only.

Am I a Hypocrite for Calling Donald Trump a Liar?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on hypocrisy.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
My Mom Voted for Trump. Can We Let It Go?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on how a family might proceed in the wake of a momentous presidential election.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Was I Right to Chide the Man Who Complimented My Daughter-in-Law?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the kinds of remarks strangers sometimes make about women’s looks.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Can I Lie About My Academic Interests on My College Application?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on conveying the truth on a pivotal form.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
I Made an Appointment With My Dentist. I Got His Son. Is That OK?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on whether a patient is entitled to be informed of provider changes.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
We’re Getting an Induction Range. Is It All Right to Sell Our Old Gas One?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the responsibility one has to dispose of an outmoded appliance.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Is It OK to Put Our Assets in Trust to Qualify for Medicaid?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on an aging couple’s financial plans.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Do I Have to Speak Up if Someone Fails to Cash My Check?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the duty one has to rectify accounting errors and other billing mistakes.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
I Work in Data Security. Is It a Problem That My Boss Believes in Lizard People?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on what to do when people in positions of power espouse harmful conspiracy theories.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Is It OK to Keep Returning Purchases You’ve Worn for Months?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on whether to exploit a store’s return policy.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah