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PART ONE
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1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what Moral Relativism is—what do people who hold this view believe?
From what I read I understood that Moral Relativism means that a society's beliefs and values don't reflect or match up with all people in another society or culture. Someone who strongly believes in Moral Relativism would disagree that there is no right set of values that one individual or society should believe in. There is no universal set of values that one person or one group of people should follow, which is why there are many different sets of views and values that people believe in. All people believe in different things which is why there's no room for discrimination when it comes to peoples values and views.
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.
From the article I read I understood the Moral Relativism is what's right for you and it's what right for someone else. It's a standpoint to look at views and values and see them as right or wrong. Something that might be right to someone may be wrong in the eyes of someone else. You have to decide what it is that is right for you, someone else can decide it for you or try to influence their own thoughts and beliefs on you.
http://www.moral-relativism.com/
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: Moral Relativism is a good view to hold
Premises: Moral Relativism is a good view to hold because:
(1) It lets you decide what's good for you
(2) Your thoughts and views can't be looked at negatively because everyone has different views
(3) It shows that everyone is diffenent and no one is the same
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PART TWO
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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: Majority View is a common decision/view amongst a group of people. More than half the people would have to agree on a certain conclusion in order for it to be a majority. Majority View isn't always equal nor is it always fair. The chances of a large group of people agreeing on the same thing are slim to none but that's why there is such thing call a majority. Most things would probably never get solved if there wasn't such thing as a majority. Also, just because the majority of people that vote will win doesn't mean that those majority of people made the right decision or that everything will work out for the best.
2. Argument:
Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not the Majority View is a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Conclusion: Majority View is a reliable basis for ethical decision making
Premises: Majority View is a reliable basis for ethical decision making because:
(1) Not everyone will ever agree so there's need for a majority
(2) Atleast 51% is a good amount to base a decision on
(3) Decisions have to be made in some eithical way and this way is the easiest and most fair
The Role of Feelings
1. Paragraph: Feelings are how individuals express themselves to others emotionally, physically, and through their own expressions. A person's feelings are how they are feeling at a particular time. As humans are feelings constantly change based on daily activities. People use their feelings to talk to people, help people, show people how their feeling or just to release what is building up inside of them. Everyone goes through the same feelings as one another just at different times and for different reasons.
2. Argument:
Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not our feelings are a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Conclusion: Our feelings are NOT a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Premises: Our feelings are NOT a reliable basis for ethicaldecision-making because:
(1) In a group of people not everyone is going to be having the same feelings
(2) Our feelings influence us to feel and think different than others
(3) Since our feelings change constantly it's not a reliable thing to base decisions off of
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PART THREE
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The ability to express yourself in your own words is essential in this class. Did you put everything in your own words this time?
I felt that after reading the chapter this assignment was easier for me to write in my own words. When I first read this assignment before reading the chapters I felt that this would be a more opinionated assignment where I could express my own definitions for Majority View and Feelings. In this assignment I did put everything in my own words and I feel that it helped me learn and understand things better because I wasn't trying to look for the perfect answer/definition.
What was easiest / hardest about this assignment?
The easiest thing was putting things into my own words because I just wrote based on what I felt, believed and understood. The hardest thing in this assignment was understand Moral Relativism and trying to get a full view of its meaning and how it affects my life.
How will you apply what you learned through this assignment to your everyday life?
I realized how important majority view is and that you should only vote for something that you truly believe in and support so that others aren't effected nagativly based on my decision. I learned to think my decisions through before making them.
How well do you think you did on this assignment? Explain.
I think I did as good as I could have done on this assignment whether or not it's a good assignment or not. I felt that I followed all the directions and took my time completing it to that it would be efficiently done and complete. I used my own thoughts and feelings based on material that I read and felt that I answered all the questions to the best of my ability.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Blog Assignment #3
1. Explain what “to give an argument” means in this book.
I feel that what it means to "give an argument" is a collection of many things. The book say that to give an argument you "offer a set of reasons and/or give evidence in support of your conclusion". We first need to choose what it is were arguing and then find reasons in which to support it. You want to use as few and as clear or words as you can when stating and supporting an argument. Br precise on what it is you're trying to argue so the person reading it can understand what you're trying to say and where you're coming from. Then finally you lay out your argument, the reasons and evidence, followed by your conclusion.
2. What are the reasons Weston gives in support of his claim, “arguments are essential”?
Arguments are essential because what would happen if no one argued? We could never come to a conclusion about what is right and what is wrong. All arguments are different and that all arguments are acceptable as long as you have reasons in which to back them up. Everyone isn't going to agree all the time which leads to arguments. People have arguments to support something they think is correct and that they can back up. Arguments are apart of everyday life and without them we wouldn't learn anything by coming to conclusions and we wouldn't learn anything about other people.
3. Explain why many students tend to “write an essay, but not an argument”.
I think students tend to "write an essay" instead of an argument for the main reason that most students often have to write essays and papers and don't often have assignments for writing arguments. I also think that students do this because in most subjects you're writing based on facts and information you have researched, and they're not writing based on their own thoughts and opinions like they would be doing in an argument. I think it takes students awhile to defferentiate the differences between writing an essay and constructing an argument when writing a paper.
4. Construct two short arguments (one "for" and one "against") as modeled in the Week 3 Assignment section in Blackboard. Put each one in "elements form".
P: The chances of driving drunk and something bad happening is slim with all the other people driving on the road
P: You'll save money by not paying for a cab
P: You'll look cool to your friends because you drove drunk
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C: Therefore, people should drive drunk
5. Review the seven rules in chapter one. Briefly discuss how your argument demonstrates that each rule was applied, in the construction of your arguments above.
6. Review the three rules in the appendix named, “Definitions”. In your own words, discuss how you took these rules into consideration as you constructed your arguments.
When I was constructing my arguments I made sure to try to follow and consider the three definitions within the appendix. I did this by rechecking my statements to make sure they were clear and understandable. I tried to use words that would be easy to comprehend for the reader and so they could see what I was trying to get across. I also put my own thoughts and opinions into the argument so it didn't sound like the reader was reading straight from a definition or out of a book. I strived for it to be different from a definition so the reader could relate and understand it better and also so they would have a better understand from where I was coming.
7. How many points do you honestly feel your post this week deserves? Justify your answer.
I would have to say that I put 110% into this assignment and made sure it was done the way it was supposed to be done. I put a lot of time into this assignment and felt that my answers were complete and as correct as they could be. I would say that I deserve a 24 or 25 because I feel that I should get an A on this assignment.
I feel that what it means to "give an argument" is a collection of many things. The book say that to give an argument you "offer a set of reasons and/or give evidence in support of your conclusion". We first need to choose what it is were arguing and then find reasons in which to support it. You want to use as few and as clear or words as you can when stating and supporting an argument. Br precise on what it is you're trying to argue so the person reading it can understand what you're trying to say and where you're coming from. Then finally you lay out your argument, the reasons and evidence, followed by your conclusion.
2. What are the reasons Weston gives in support of his claim, “arguments are essential”?
Arguments are essential because what would happen if no one argued? We could never come to a conclusion about what is right and what is wrong. All arguments are different and that all arguments are acceptable as long as you have reasons in which to back them up. Everyone isn't going to agree all the time which leads to arguments. People have arguments to support something they think is correct and that they can back up. Arguments are apart of everyday life and without them we wouldn't learn anything by coming to conclusions and we wouldn't learn anything about other people.
3. Explain why many students tend to “write an essay, but not an argument”.
I think students tend to "write an essay" instead of an argument for the main reason that most students often have to write essays and papers and don't often have assignments for writing arguments. I also think that students do this because in most subjects you're writing based on facts and information you have researched, and they're not writing based on their own thoughts and opinions like they would be doing in an argument. I think it takes students awhile to defferentiate the differences between writing an essay and constructing an argument when writing a paper.
4. Construct two short arguments (one "for" and one "against") as modeled in the Week 3 Assignment section in Blackboard. Put each one in "elements form".
FOR/AGAINST: (argument form)
Arguable Issue: Whether or not people should drive drunk
Conclusion: People should drive drunk.
Premises: People should drive drunk because
(1.) What are the chances something will happen to them, when there are so many other people
(2.) It will save them money so they don't have to pay for a cab
(3.) People won't think they're cool unless they drive drunk with their friends in the car
Arguable Issue: Whether or not people should drive drunk.
Conclusion: People should NOT drive drunk.
Premises: People shouldn't drive drunk because
(1.) Drunk driving is both dangerous for you and all other people on the road driving as well
(2.) It's not worth getting a DUI or going to jail
(3.) It can change your life or someone else's forever in a negative way
AGAINST/FOR: (equation form)
P: Driving drunk is both dangerous for you and all the other people on the road driving as well
P: It's not worth getting a DUI or going to jail
P: It can change your life or someone else's forever in a negative way
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C: Therefore, people should NOT drive drunk
P: The chances of driving drunk and something bad happening is slim with all the other people driving on the road
P: You'll save money by not paying for a cab
P: You'll look cool to your friends because you drove drunk
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C: Therefore, people should drive drunk
5. Review the seven rules in chapter one. Briefly discuss how your argument demonstrates that each rule was applied, in the construction of your arguments above.
Rule #1: Distinguish premises and conclusion. I did this by stating my conclusion and having premises that were in support of my conclusion.
Rule #2: Present your ideas in a natural order. I stated my premises and reasons in a natural order and in an order of which I think they would have been thought of if it were a real situation.
Rule #3: Start from reliable premises. I think I used pretty reliable reasons that others would use themselves and agree with.
Rule #4: Be concrete and concise. I was concrete and concise by focusing and sticking to my argument. I did this by stating good reasons that supported my conclusion.
Rule #5: Avoid loaded language. I actually went back and changed my argument my cutting out words to I didn't sound like I was rambling on. I chose words that were easy to follow and understand for the reader.
Rule #6: Use consistent terms. I did this by not throwing in large or random words that would throw the reader off.
Rule #7: Stick to one meaning for each term. I did this by focusing on a certain meaning for each argument and explaining my reasons off of it.
6. Review the three rules in the appendix named, “Definitions”. In your own words, discuss how you took these rules into consideration as you constructed your arguments.
When I was constructing my arguments I made sure to try to follow and consider the three definitions within the appendix. I did this by rechecking my statements to make sure they were clear and understandable. I tried to use words that would be easy to comprehend for the reader and so they could see what I was trying to get across. I also put my own thoughts and opinions into the argument so it didn't sound like the reader was reading straight from a definition or out of a book. I strived for it to be different from a definition so the reader could relate and understand it better and also so they would have a better understand from where I was coming.
7. How many points do you honestly feel your post this week deserves? Justify your answer.
I would have to say that I put 110% into this assignment and made sure it was done the way it was supposed to be done. I put a lot of time into this assignment and felt that my answers were complete and as correct as they could be. I would say that I deserve a 24 or 25 because I feel that I should get an A on this assignment.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Blog Assignment #2
1. Were the questions on the Moral Sense Test difficult to answer (psychologically, emotionally, conceptually, technically, etc.)? Why or why not? Do you think your responses to the Moral Sense Test questions were consistent? Does this matter?
I felt that some questions were more difficult to answer because the punishment could have been different depending on where it occured. I also felt that some of the questions didn't give you enough information to make a well rounded decision. There were also some questions that were just too obvious that they were bad decisions and that they should obviously be punished. The test overall made me somewhat frustrated because of the sererios that were given mainly for the fact that some weren't realistic and that I didn't recieve any kind of feedback at the end of the test. The test questions were consistent in the manner that they were formatted the same but I think the actual questions themselves varied from each other for the exception of a few.
2. Should people always follow the law? Why or why not? When might one be justified in NOT following the law? Give examples.
I think that people should follow the laws at all times with the only exceptions being if it's for an emergency purpose or if it's in a way of self-defense. For example I think it's okay to speed if it's an emergency and you're trying to get somewhere important in a fast manner as long as you don't put anyone else in harms way. I also feel that if it comes down to you protecting yourself in a form of self defense then it's okay but to avoid it if you can. If someone is trying to attack you or kill you I think you should have the right to protect yourself even if it means causes harm on them to save yourself.
3. In your own words, explain what "social convention" means. Give examples.
In my opinion and from what I've learned a social convention is a common and well known norm or custom in a particular area of people. For example in our society and country we greet people with a handshake in both a casual and business atmosphere. We say hello when we see someone and goodbye when we leave them.
4. Should people always follow the conventions of their society? Why or why not? Give examples.
I wouldn't say that they should ALWAYS follow the conventions of their society because they might not always agree with them or believe in them. For the most part though I think people do follow the conventions of their society so it's usually not something often brought up. An example would be that if your society prays when they meet like for dinner or in a large group but because of your religious preference you may not necessarily agree.
5. Should people always follow their own principles? Why or why not? Give examples.
I definately think that people should follow their own principles because whose principles would be better to follow than their own? I think that people should stick to their principles and stand behind that because it's usually about something that you believe in or it may be something you live by. The only exception to following your own principles all the time is that it's fine as long as you don't cause harm or issues with other people when doing so because then I think it would become a problem.
6. Explain in your own words the difference between socially acceptable, legally acceptable, and morally acceptable.
To start off, I would say that socially acceptable would be that your actions, thoughts, words or ideas would be socially acceptable if it was a common things that others around you in society would agree with and do also. Legally acceptable would something that would legal and also that others would agree with in society and if it was something illegal then it wouldn't be accepted. And morally acceptable I feel you would have to judge based on your own morals because everyone has different morals and might not all think that something is morally acceptable if you do and vice versa.
7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I would say that I deserve atleast a 20. I feel this way because even though I may not have answered these questions completely correct or to the point of what you were looking for, I did answer them to the best of my ability. I also took my time and thought about each individual answer before I answered it and with that I feel that I should receieve a good grade.
I felt that some questions were more difficult to answer because the punishment could have been different depending on where it occured. I also felt that some of the questions didn't give you enough information to make a well rounded decision. There were also some questions that were just too obvious that they were bad decisions and that they should obviously be punished. The test overall made me somewhat frustrated because of the sererios that were given mainly for the fact that some weren't realistic and that I didn't recieve any kind of feedback at the end of the test. The test questions were consistent in the manner that they were formatted the same but I think the actual questions themselves varied from each other for the exception of a few.
2. Should people always follow the law? Why or why not? When might one be justified in NOT following the law? Give examples.
I think that people should follow the laws at all times with the only exceptions being if it's for an emergency purpose or if it's in a way of self-defense. For example I think it's okay to speed if it's an emergency and you're trying to get somewhere important in a fast manner as long as you don't put anyone else in harms way. I also feel that if it comes down to you protecting yourself in a form of self defense then it's okay but to avoid it if you can. If someone is trying to attack you or kill you I think you should have the right to protect yourself even if it means causes harm on them to save yourself.
3. In your own words, explain what "social convention" means. Give examples.
In my opinion and from what I've learned a social convention is a common and well known norm or custom in a particular area of people. For example in our society and country we greet people with a handshake in both a casual and business atmosphere. We say hello when we see someone and goodbye when we leave them.
4. Should people always follow the conventions of their society? Why or why not? Give examples.
I wouldn't say that they should ALWAYS follow the conventions of their society because they might not always agree with them or believe in them. For the most part though I think people do follow the conventions of their society so it's usually not something often brought up. An example would be that if your society prays when they meet like for dinner or in a large group but because of your religious preference you may not necessarily agree.
5. Should people always follow their own principles? Why or why not? Give examples.
I definately think that people should follow their own principles because whose principles would be better to follow than their own? I think that people should stick to their principles and stand behind that because it's usually about something that you believe in or it may be something you live by. The only exception to following your own principles all the time is that it's fine as long as you don't cause harm or issues with other people when doing so because then I think it would become a problem.
6. Explain in your own words the difference between socially acceptable, legally acceptable, and morally acceptable.
To start off, I would say that socially acceptable would be that your actions, thoughts, words or ideas would be socially acceptable if it was a common things that others around you in society would agree with and do also. Legally acceptable would something that would legal and also that others would agree with in society and if it was something illegal then it wouldn't be accepted. And morally acceptable I feel you would have to judge based on your own morals because everyone has different morals and might not all think that something is morally acceptable if you do and vice versa.
7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I would say that I deserve atleast a 20. I feel this way because even though I may not have answered these questions completely correct or to the point of what you were looking for, I did answer them to the best of my ability. I also took my time and thought about each individual answer before I answered it and with that I feel that I should receieve a good grade.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
DDavis_ Blog Assignment #1
1. How would you have explained the meaning of the term "ethics", before taking this class?
I would have explained "ethics" as a meaning of what is ethically "correct" to one's self. And that each individual person has to ask themself..is this ethical? when they make a decision. I think most people look past the idea of ethics and what is ethical when they make decisions. And in addition to that, most people aren't 100% sure if their decisions are ethical or not when they make them. What's ethical to one person might not be eithical to another. I think that's why the "definition" of ethics is unclear to a lot of people including myself because what exactly determines what is ethical? (As to why I'm taking the class!)
2. What are some of your deepest held values?
A value that my father has embedded in my head since I young was treat others as you want to be treated. If you treat others in a negative way they are probably going to react back in a negative way. So to avoid that you should treat others the way you want to be treated and no one wants to be treated bad so it would/could lead to more peace in the world if more people believed and acted on this as I do. Another strong value I have is that I am a very honest person. I have never been and never see myself being a good liar. I have a problem when it comes to lying and I feel that it's a good value to have. Many people have issues when it comes to being honest whether it's because they are hiding something, don't want to tell the truth, or have been brought up to think that lying is okay.
3. What are some main principles you try to live your life by?
I've started to try and realize that each day is a different day and that you have to take one day at a time. Just because you have a bad day one day doesn't mean it's the end of the world or multiple bad days are destined to follow it. I also try to remember that everyone has their own problems in life and that when I have a problem or if something isn't going right in my life like I want it to be I'm not the only one and I shouldn't take my negative feelings out towards others.
4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?
I would say that I first look for thoughtfulness, honesty and reliability. Beacuse to me all of those are important when it comes to trusting someone. And if I feel I can't trust someone then I don't really have a desire to been around them or associate myself with them. And who wants to be around someone who doesn't fall under those catagories.
5. How were your values and principles developed?
From 3rd to 12th grade I attended Catholic school where I think a lot of my values came from. Many things were focused around God, and what God would think is a good thing or bad thing. Also the influences in my life such as family and friends, played a major role in my values and principles that I still hold close to me today.
6. How have your values and principles changed throughout your life so far?
I would say that my values haven't changed much at all. I still believe in the main value sand principles in my life and if anything I've just learned to know a better understanding of my values as I get older and grow myself. I learn from others and from my own actions and decisions.
7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I would say that I deserve the full 25 or atleast close to it because these were all answers that I felt completed the question in an accurate and honest way. I feel that I did my best on this assignment whether I nailed it or not! :) So, now it's up to you to decide if you agree with me and if you want to give me the full 25 points!
I would have explained "ethics" as a meaning of what is ethically "correct" to one's self. And that each individual person has to ask themself..is this ethical? when they make a decision. I think most people look past the idea of ethics and what is ethical when they make decisions. And in addition to that, most people aren't 100% sure if their decisions are ethical or not when they make them. What's ethical to one person might not be eithical to another. I think that's why the "definition" of ethics is unclear to a lot of people including myself because what exactly determines what is ethical? (As to why I'm taking the class!)
2. What are some of your deepest held values?
A value that my father has embedded in my head since I young was treat others as you want to be treated. If you treat others in a negative way they are probably going to react back in a negative way. So to avoid that you should treat others the way you want to be treated and no one wants to be treated bad so it would/could lead to more peace in the world if more people believed and acted on this as I do. Another strong value I have is that I am a very honest person. I have never been and never see myself being a good liar. I have a problem when it comes to lying and I feel that it's a good value to have. Many people have issues when it comes to being honest whether it's because they are hiding something, don't want to tell the truth, or have been brought up to think that lying is okay.
3. What are some main principles you try to live your life by?
I've started to try and realize that each day is a different day and that you have to take one day at a time. Just because you have a bad day one day doesn't mean it's the end of the world or multiple bad days are destined to follow it. I also try to remember that everyone has their own problems in life and that when I have a problem or if something isn't going right in my life like I want it to be I'm not the only one and I shouldn't take my negative feelings out towards others.
4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?
I would say that I first look for thoughtfulness, honesty and reliability. Beacuse to me all of those are important when it comes to trusting someone. And if I feel I can't trust someone then I don't really have a desire to been around them or associate myself with them. And who wants to be around someone who doesn't fall under those catagories.
5. How were your values and principles developed?
From 3rd to 12th grade I attended Catholic school where I think a lot of my values came from. Many things were focused around God, and what God would think is a good thing or bad thing. Also the influences in my life such as family and friends, played a major role in my values and principles that I still hold close to me today.
6. How have your values and principles changed throughout your life so far?
I would say that my values haven't changed much at all. I still believe in the main value sand principles in my life and if anything I've just learned to know a better understanding of my values as I get older and grow myself. I learn from others and from my own actions and decisions.
7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I would say that I deserve the full 25 or atleast close to it because these were all answers that I felt completed the question in an accurate and honest way. I feel that I did my best on this assignment whether I nailed it or not! :) So, now it's up to you to decide if you agree with me and if you want to give me the full 25 points!
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