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.

Is It Wrong to Give Money With Strings Attached?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on conditional gifts.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Was I Wrong to Reveal That My Novel Was Inspired by an Adulterous Friend?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on character concerns, both in fiction and real life.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Can I Ask Straight Women to Stop Calling Their Pals ‘Girlfriends’?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the quirks of common language — namely the myriad ways to refer to friends and lovers.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
My Partner Told Me About His Fights With His Ex. I Think I’m on Her Side.
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on how partners can evaluate their romantic histories together — and be honest and respectful in their assessments.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
My Relative Isn’t Trans or Nonbinary But Wants to Use ‘They/Them’ Pronouns.
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on allyship and forms of solidarity.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
I Keep the Family Tree — And I’m Flummoxed About Whom to Include.
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on genealogy, record-keeping and notions of relation.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
What Responsibility Do I Have to Ensure the Safety of an Illicit Cat?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the duty one has to neighbors — and a forbidden pet in harm’s way.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Should I Come Clean About My Old Sexual and Financial Betrayals?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the complications of confession.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Should My Wife and I Tell Our 8-Year-Old How Much Money We Make?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the kinds of information that can be burdensome to children.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
Is It OK to Get Food Stamps When You’re Just Pursuing Your Passion?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on whether a starving artist with a personal safety net should receive government assistance.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah