Center on Human Exceptionalism

The mission of Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism is to affirm and uphold the intrinsic nature of human dignity, liberty, and equality. In resistance to a growing movement against unique human personhood, we aim to revitalize a commitment to the traditional Western view of human rights and human responsibilities — summed up by the term “human exceptionalism.” Read more

Humanize

NY Governor Hochul to Sign Assisted-Suicide Legalization Bill

Wesley J. Smith
December 18, 2025
4
Euthanasia
To the surprise of absolutely no one, New York Governor Hochul has said that in January, after some minor changes are added, she will sign the bill legalizing assisted suicide. From the Spectrum News 1 story: Hochul said the new amended bill will include additional safeguards, or “guardrails,” to protect family members, caregivers and doctors and ensure that vulnerable populations are not pressured or misled. Of course, these “guardrail” protections—such as they are—will come under sustained assault once the law goes into effect as “barriers” to a good death. They are unlikely to last for very long. But let’s take a look at some of the supposed improved protections: A mandatory waiting period of five days between when a …

Inside China’s War on Women and Girls: Forced Abortion, Gendercide, and How One Woman Built a Secret Rescue Network with Reggie Littlejohn

Arina Grossu Agnew
December 18, 2025
2
Bioethics

Illinois Swallows the Hemlock of Assisted Suicide

Wesley J. Smith
December 17, 2025
5
Euthanasia

Wesley J. Smith Discusses the Legalization of Assisted Suicide in Illinois with EWTN’s Marcus Peter

Wesley J. Smith
December 16, 2025
1
Euthanasia

Assisted Suicide Legalized in Illinois

Wesley J. Smith
December 13, 2025
3
Euthanasia

Robots Should Not Have “Rights”

Wesley J. Smith
December 11, 2025
4
Transhumanism

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Podcast

Robert P. George on the Reality and Importance of Human Exceptionalism

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Robert P. George
December 8, 2025
Whether or not human beings are exceptional is one of the most important questions of our age. Either we have unique value and moral responsibilities, or we are just another animal in the forest, and if that is how we perceive ourselves, it is precisely how we will act. Most contemporary commentary about this crucial issue deny our exceptionalism. But now, making his second appearance on this podcast, Princeton professor Robert P. George has authored an important new book — Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth — which argues in favor of human exceptionalism (although he doesn’t use that term) and grapples with the issues that flow from that important understanding. George holds Princeton University’s celebrated McCormick Professorship of Jurisprudence and is Founder and …

Aaron Kheriaty, MD, on How to Heal Modern Medicine

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Aaron Kheriaty
November 24, 2025
Something has gone terribly wrong with American medicine. The COVID pandemic broke the back of trust in our public health officials. There is an affordability crisis. Medical ethics have degraded to the point that doctors no longer take the Hippocratic Oath. Chronic diseases are on the rise, particularly in children. It has all become such a mess. But what should be done about it? Christ famously said, “Physician, heal thyself.” Is that the answer? Welsey’s guest on this episode of Humanize, Aaron Kheriaty, MD, thinks it is. He has written an important book — Making the Cut: How to Heal Modern Medicine — a fascinating combination of memoir, exposé, and advocacy for reform as the author grapples with the most intractable problems afflicting our healthcare …

Olivier Bonnassies and Brian Miller on the Scientific Evidence for God

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Olivier Bonnassies and Brian Miller
November 10, 2025
The Epistle to the Hebrews tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That isn’t science. It is religion, and these days, many have come to believe that never the twain shall meet. But what if the reality of God could be demonstrated scientifically? What evidence would it take? What would be the consequence? French author Olivier Bonnassies has co-authored an internationally bestselling book (400,000 books sold), recently translated into English, that grapples with these questions. In God: The Science, The Evidence, Bonnassies and Michel-Yves Bollore argue that science is in the midst of a “great reversal” in which the supposedly incompatible realms are becoming mutually reinforcing. Bonnassies is a …

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