BY KEVIN MCCAFFREE
HISTORIAN OF SCIENCE MICHAEL SHERMER AND philosopher Massimo Pigliucci have recently disagreed publicly over whether morality and human rights are a part of the natural world.
Massimo has maintained that human rights are not a component of the natural world capable of objective investigation; ultimately, he thinks that “human rights” and “morality” are mere social constructs. Massimo also attempted, unsuccessfully, to belittle and patronize Michael’s argument and credentials, even calling Michael’s writing on matters of morality a “crescendo of nonsense.”1