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

Lawsuit in Canada to Force Catholic Hospitals to Permit Euthanasia

Wesley J. Smith
January 14, 2026
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Euthanasia
Freedom of religion is on the ropes in increasingly authoritarian Canada — despite a specific charter guarantee of “freedom of religion and conscience.” Indeed, an Ontario court ruled previously that doctors can be coerced under threat of professional discipline to perform lethal jabs or abortions against their religious beliefs and conscience objections. Why? The court ruled that the unenumerated right of patients to receive any legal procedure paid for by the government superseded the specific charter protection. If doctors don’t want to kill, the court also ruled, they can either provide an “effective referral” — meaning soliciting a doctor known to be willing to kill — or get out of medicine. Now, in British Columbia, the family of a euthanized woman, who was …

A Surgeon Speaks Out: Why Surgical Intervention for Sexual Identity Disorder Are Irreversible and Unethical with Dr. Patrick Lappert

Arina Grossu Agnew
January 13, 2026
3
Transgenderism

Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights

Wesley J. Smith
January 12, 2026
4
Uncategorized

Candace Owens v. Erika Kirk: The Cost of Conspiracy and the Ethics of Influence with Simone Rizkallah

Arina Grossu Agnew
January 8, 2026
2
Uncategorized

Bees Granted Rights in Peru

Wesley J. Smith
January 7, 2026
2
Nature and Conservation

For MAHA’s Sake Don’t Eliminate Animal Research

Wesley J. Smith
January 7, 2026
5
Health Care

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Podcast

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick on the Nature of Evil

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Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
December 29, 2025
Is evil a metaphysical reality, or is it merely a word we use to describe intentionally destructive behavior or horribly painful outcomes? If evil is real, what is its nature? Can one believe in the existence of evil without having a religious understanding of reality? And if evil does exist, does that mean good must also? My guest today, a priest in the Orthodox Church, has some informed opinions on these questions. The Very Rev. Archpriest Andrew Stephen Damick is Chief Content Officer of Ancient Faith Ministries, the former pastor (2009-2020) of St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and author or co-author of The Wolf and the Cross (2025), The Lord of Spirits (2023), and several other books, all from Ancient Faith Publishing. He has been podcasting since …

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 …

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