What does one do when there’s no clearly defined ethical road to take? Each month Exploring Ethical Dilemmas features speakers from a variety of backgrounds—medicine, law, business, science, education, the arts, social work, and more—who share their experience and knowledge of ethical issues in those fields.

This month, Society member (and funny guy) Howard Rose explored the ethical dilemmas surrounding humor. When is humor unethical? What should be your response?

Have you ever cringed at a joke? Confronted a joke teller? Told a joke that you later realized was hurtful to someone listening?

Using both visual and audio examples of humor and comedy along with opinions from philosophers and other writers, we explored this topic through the lens of what constitutes ethical behavior.

Some questions will be raised: Is racist or sexist humor every acceptable? Does one’s culture dictate what is tolerated? Should paid comedians get a free pass when they perform? Does it matter who the joke teller is?