Blog Assignment #4

Friday, January 23, 2009

Blog Assignment #4 (Due Wednesday, January 28)

See former blog assignments for posting instructions. I’m looking for three things this week. For Blog Assignment #4, I want you to demonstrate that

(1) you understand some of the more important things we’ve learned so far,
(2) you’ve read and understood our week 4 readings, and
(3) you can construct short arguments for all of the above. There are THREE parts to this assignment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIGNMENT PART ONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some of the most significant concepts we’ve learned about so far are Moral Relativism, the Relationship between Law & Ethics, and the Relationship between Religious Beliefs & Ethics. I’ve constructed a small assignment for each of these topics. The ONE you are expected to complete will depend on your last name. Keep reading.

Last names beginning with A - G: Moral Relativism

1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what Moral Relativism is—what do people who hold this view believe?

2. Paragraph & Link: Find one online resources related to this topic—not Wikipedia. Explain in a brief paragraph what you learned about this topic through the resource you found; include the link at the end of your paragraph.

3. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not Moral Relativism is a good view to hold.

Conclusion:Premises:
(1)
(2)
(3)

Last names beginning with H - P:

Relationship b/n Law and Ethics

1. Paragraph: explain in your own words what the relationship is between laws and ethics.

The relationship between laws and ethics is the making of decisions based on morals and values. Both the law and Ethicist strive to make fair judgements, however Ethicist cannot enforce such reason by what should be done they can only suggest what ought to be done. The law on the other hand can use authority to enforce good behavior.

2. Paragraph & Link: Find one online resources related to this topic—not Wikipedia. Explain in a brief paragraph what you learned about this topic through the resource you found; include the link at the end of your paragraph.

3. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not we need ethics, given that we already have laws.

I think we definitely need ethics even though we have laws because without ethics we would not have laws. It is important to our society that we follow morals and values in which we make our laws or we would not have any consistency to whats right or wrong. Without ethics being a part of the laws their would not be any Justis and many people would suffer the consequences.

Conclusion:Premises:
(1)for consistency to do whats right
(2)for justice for all people
(3)everyone would face the same consequences

Last names beginning with Q - Z:

Relationship b/n Religion & Ethics

1. Paragraph: explain in your own words what the relationship is between religion and ethics.

2. Paragraph & Link: Find one online resources related to this topic—not Wikipedia. Explain in a brief paragraph what you learned about this topic through the resource you found; include the link at the end of your paragraph.

3. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not ethics and religious beliefs are complementary.

Conclusion:Premises:
(1)
(2)
(3)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIGNMENT PART TWO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The week 4 readings cover two chapters in the Ruggiero book, The Role of the Majority View, and the Role of Feelings. Each student must complete BOTH of the following assignments.

The Role of the Majority View
1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what a Majority View is. Cite your sources.

Majority views is just as it states; that the majority of people in a group or community votes the same on the issues at hand. However, the majorities view isn't always perfect. We must consider what makes up the majority. For example majority can be 1 percent or 49 percent of the group as can 51 or 99 percent. In other words if only that 1 percent votes with either side than majority rules. Ruggiero, pg. 24

2. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not the Majority View is a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.

The Majority View is not a reliable basis because everyone in the majority may not have all of the facts to make an ethical decision, nor might they be educated about the issue or they might show prejudice to the situation and it only takes that 1 percent to make the final decision.

Conclusion:Premises:
(1)The Majority View is not a reliable basis because they all may not have all the facts.
(2)The Majority View is not a reliable basis because they all may not be educated about the issue.
(3)The Majority View is not a reliable basis because some may show prejudice to the situation.

The Role of Feelings
1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what feelings are. Cite your sources.
Feelings are each individuals wants likes and dislikes.
Whatever each individual believes is right or wrong.
Feelings are desires and preferences. Ruggiero pg. 33

2. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not our feelings are a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.

Feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision making because feelings are different for each individual person and what might be good or right to one person may be bad or wrong to another. For example a college student might think it is a good thing to party hard and have fun on the weekend relieving themselves of their duties for a short time, while a person with christian beliefs might see this act as evil and the college student should face damnation. Therefore feelings are not a reliable basis because they are to personalized to be judged fairly.

Conclusion:Premises:
(1)Feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision making because they differ for each person.
(2)Feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision making because they are to personalized to make fair judgments.
(3)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIGNMENT PART THREE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ability to express yourself in your own words is essential in this class.

Did you put everything in your own words this time?
Yes, to the best of my knowledge.

What was easiest / hardest about this assignment?
The easiest part was the readings.
The hardest part was trying to put everything in my own words.

How will you apply what you learned through this assignment to your everyday life?
To always keep an open mind and think things through before making any decisions.

How well do you think you did on this assignment? Explain.
I think I did ok on this assignment. I read the chapters and answered the questions to the best of my ability but I always go away feeling like I should've done a better job.


Posted by PurpleBike at 11:04 AM 0 comments