The Ethicist--Randy Cohen Satiric?

[Jesus Harold Christ]

Are Cohen's columns a satiric take on advice columns and the field of ethics? He does not seem to have a coherent view of ethics or go through an in-depth exploration of the ethical issues. Does Cohen have training in ethics? Looking a year's worth of columns gives the impression his tongue is firmly planted in his cheek. Is he serious?

[Exapno Mapcase]

I've always thought he intends to be serious. OTOH, I don't agree with him often enough to consider him a truly serious commentator. Make of that what you will.

[GilaB]

According to the bio printed at the bottom of his first column in 1999, he is an essayist and Emmy-winning TV writer. This jibes with what I've heard elsewhere, that he's an ostensibly funny guy hired to write a column, rather than a professional ethicist. I tend to find the questions far more interesting than his answers.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by GilaB

I tend to find the questions far more interesting than his answers.

Me too. I'd be happy if they printed just questions, and allowed readers to respond.

I've disagreed with plenty of his advice, but there was one column a couple of years ago where his answer left me completely flabbergasted. I started a thread about it.

[Elendil's Heir]

He sometimes brings the funny, or tries to, but overall he's playing it straight. Never thought he was being satirical.