Equality and fairness, as explored through science fiction. — THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. …

Expected utility theory (EUT) is an unsatisfying explanation of behaviour in the presence of risk. I begin this essay by explaining the St. Petersburg case, and how the introduction of risk aversion through EUT resolves the paradox. I then offer two lines of objection to EUT. First, there are cases…

Why improving education policy might not make economic — or educational — sense — I’ve decided to start writing these weekly updates (also available on my Substack) to collate things I find interesting, and share some ideas that aren’t polished/substantive enough to merit their own articles. You can follow me here and/or subscribe to my Substack to receive them.

Three times entire disciplines were upended in a few pages — The Gettier Objection What is knowledge? It took Edmund Gettier three pages to overturn the traditional, centuries-old answer to this question. His 1963 paper provided two counterexamples to the otherwise attractive analysis of knowledge as Justified True Belief (JTB), introducing what are now commonly known as Gettier cases. The JTB analysis of knowledge…

Just look at how communities handled Eid and Diwali — When Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK’s return to national lockdown, he reassured the public that such a measure was necessary in order to ensure “as normal a Christmas as possible.” It’s now looking like the lockdown might have to be extended, potentially infringing on the Prime Minister’s promise…

Why it’s okay not to know or care about politics — i. Political participation, when done correctly, can be an invaluable thing. However, there is a big gulf between beneficial and morally obligatory. In this article, I’m going to argue that no one has a moral obligation to be actively involved in politics. This means that I think it’s okay not…

Sci-fi flash fiction — It was a new village, nestled between a stream and a valley. Nature’s rough fist replaced the original inhabitants’ dreams of expansion with a mere hope of survival. …

Ethical issues with private tutoring and how to overcome them — i. College admissions is pretty much a zero-sum game. At top universities, there is a massive number of qualified applicants competing for a comparatively tiny number of places. …

How to increase turnout without violating individual freedoms — In Australia, voting in municipal, state and federal elections has been mandatory since 1924. Over 90% of eligible voters consistently get to the ballot box, and serious opposition to compulsory voting is practically nonexistent. The punishment for refusing to vote without a valid excuse? A mere $20 fine. Moreover, it…