'Robots are far better judges than humans'

Eva's death will be ruled as having been done at her own hand, but inspector Goole urges the characters to consider their own responsibility in her demise. The mysterious inspector embodies the role of justice in its ideal form, which cuts through to the heart of moral culpabilityBlame. and wrongdoing. But he also implies that guilt should be collective and not individual in this case, and that capitalistRelated to an economic system based on private ownership of businesses and goods. society is also responsible for the tragedy.

Should computers make all our decisions? In a new book published today, three top scientists argue that human beings are useless at making choices. Machines would do a much better job.

Could a range of options be more just? The dual-verdict system of "guilty" or "not guilty" is seen as a pillar of many legal systems. But some say we need a new formula for the modern world.

Is it justice to punish a 93-year-old man for a crime committed 75 years ago? Bruno Dey has been convicted for his part in the killing of over 5,000 prisoners in a Nazi death camp.

Eva Smith is a victim of patriarchyA system of society where men hold power and women are excluded. not only in her sexual exploitation by the two younger male relatives, but in her treatment by Sheila and Sybil Birling too. Whilst Sheila has Eva fired due to her own jealousy, Sybil, who poses herself as a philanthropistSomeone who donates generously to good causes. American philanthropy has been very important in creating a positive image of the US around the world., rejects the pregnant woman's appeal for help due to her sense of her own moral superiority. This double-standard is brought out by Goole's questioning. Sybil blames Eva for her supposedly-"immoral" behaviour, which she sees as having caused the latter's pregnancy and destitution, but is the only one who fails to see the elephant in the room: her son, whose rape of Eva caused the pregnancy. However, neither Eric nor Gerald Croft see any severe consequences for their immoral actions, and Croft is even commended for his honesty in owning up to his actions.

Are patriarchal attitudes still holding women back? A new study says stereotypes about what kind of work women can or should do are to blame. Why is progress so hard? 

Can misogyny ever be stopped? TikToker Andrew Tate is back on Twitter, despite online bans for extreme sexist content. Some say his popularity shows there is still a long way to go in the battle for equality.

Is this another huge step for gender equality? Fans worldwide were stunned by a thrilling showdown at Wembley last night. But will the success of the Euros really change anything?

The Birling family belong to the prosperous, affluent upper-middle class. The family patriarch, Arthur Birling, is a self-made man attempting to rise up the social ladder through politics. The family's pursuit of social capital has clouded their ability to make moral judgements, and every family member proves capable of exploiting the young, destituteExtremely poor. Having no food, money or shelter. Eva Smith for their own gain. Inspector Goole's final warning is intended to spur on the privileged viewer to take responsibility for protecting the vulnerable, and prefigures the development of the post-World War Two welfare state.

Should Oxbridge be abolished? UK exam boards have started checking grades. Critics say students from private schools have an unfair advantage when applying to top universities.

Call to drop 'guilty' and 'not guilty' in law

Is tax the best way to share wealth? Eighty-three of the world's richest people have written an astonishing letter to governments asking for more of their money to be taken away from them.

Have rich countries become the worst offenders? A new estimate suggests that 50 million people - one in 150 people - are now trapped in forced labour or forced marriages.

An Inspector Calls is sometimes read as a moral parableA story told with a moral or spiritual purpose., and it is easy to see why. The slightly fantastical circumstances, by which each family member has had their own coincidental run-in with the same exceedingly down-trodden woman, should perhaps be read as symbolism, rather than naturalismIn literature, a style based on accurately showing detail.. In this way, the Inspector is often characterised as an agent of judgement, highlighting the family's moral hypocrisy as retributionA punishment given to somebody who is perceived to have done something wrong. for their actions. Moral hypocrisy, after all, is rife in the family. Sybil Birling, for example, is quick to reprove her children and husband for perceived failures of manners, but turns a blind eye to her son's alcohol problem. In the same way, she reprimands Goole for the manner of his address, but sees no problem either with her own shortcomings, or with lying about not knowing Eva.

Is honesty overrated? In a new magazine article, a writer tells of growing up in a family where nobody told a lie - and the difficulties it caused him in dealing with the rest of the world.

Does democracy REALLY depend on truth? Many people claim democratic systems only work when everyone agrees on basic truths - but others think this is a recipe for dictatorship.

Is it okay to be willfully ignorant? A new study of the brain shows that it is programmed to ignore upsetting and inconvenient truths, leaving human beings living in a 'reality bubble.'

Bad habits, it appears, are ingrained with age. Although parents should act as moral guides for their children, the roles are reversed in An Inspector Calls. Neither of the older Birlings show any desire to change their ways, and in fact are the most dishonest about their role in Eva's death. Meanwhile, Sheila and Eric both vow to change by the end of the play, and Sheila's conscience seems genuinely awakened by her encounter with Goole.

Do we need to have more babies? This year, the population will reach eight billion. It is one of the most controversial issues of our age. Yet some say we are running out of children.

Would you want to live forever? In a new book, one scientist argues that we need to find a "cure" for the ageing process - but some think it would be a mistake to meddle with nature.

Should we stop ageing? Getting old is "going to be remarkably easy to tackle. Easier than cancer" are the exact words of one celebrity biologist and author. But is it a disease?