Philosophy of Values - [class 3 - 9/21]

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

After last week’s class, Wilson had been fairly quiet the following week caught up in his own thoughts about the class and a few other events that had come in the form of phone calls he’s never comfortable receiving. So his expression was rather distant and pensive as the class convened.

However, probably due to angelic intervention there was still a pot of tea and a spread of yummy looking pastries for the kids as they came through the door. As with his humor class, next to the pastries was the sign in sheet and then a small box for the turning in of homework. Also there were handouts on the front of the desk with instructions for the students to pick them up.

As soon as everyone was settled, Wilson gave himself a shake and his focus came completely to the class.

Lecture:

“Good morning.” He said softly, standing up and moving around to the front of the desk as was his habit. Touching the pile of paperwork, he gave a nod and then turned to look out at the class.

“Looks like excellent work on your homework, guys. Thank you. Now, today we’re going to tackle one of the oldest philosophical debates in the history of sentient beings. If you all will turn to the handout labeled History.” Pausing to give everyone a chance to get to the page he started up again.

“Nature vs Nurture. Are we all born coded with a specific genetic mapping which will dictate our actions and beliefs through our lives or are we a blank slate, affected only by the environment we are nurtured within? Or is it a bit of both and if so which one is the basic blueprint that the other builds upon? Are we born with genetic predispositions that are then either encouraged or discouraged by our environment or will our environment bring forth potential genetic components we’re born with? If you all will please turn to the second hand out…”

The second handout was the one that Wilson lectured from, laying out the historic arguments for both sides of the debate and showing how and why the debate was still going so strong without either side being shown to be right or wrong.

Class Participation:

“So, for today’s discussion. Many of you were born with gifts compared to other humans in this dimension, while others have been born with inherent magical strengths. Do you feel you’re environment has been altered by the gifts you were born with or do you feel as if you’re environment has affected your gifts?”

Homework:

“Homework this week is to give me your take on the following question. Is a sentient being predisposed to abuse the power they are born with or are they born with pure intentions and in danger of being negatively affected by their environment?”

[ooc: Please wait for the Wee beloved OCD threads are up, have at!!]

Comments

Re: Class Participation

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

"So why not the other way around? That the jerky, evil jerk could decide to be the picture of righteous due to their experiences in the environment around them?"

Re: Class Participation

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Beccause Willow hasn't met s5 Spike yet "Well, it depends on the person," Willow said. "If they've got the potential to do both, sure. But somehow I don't think Angelus is going to one day start reading to the blind unless the book's title is 101 Things You Wish You Could See Right Now."

Re: Class Participation

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

Oh boy, now there was a can of worms because while Wilson could understand the idea of Angel and Angelus being of two very different philosophies he did not necessarily seperate them as two completely different people. After all, each was aware of the other and it was possible to see the shades of one in the form of the other.

Though that didn't really change Willow's immediate point which was... Angelus reading to the blind...not so much. Angelus reading while he blinded people...more to type.

"Okay, let's take Angelus. What might have happened to him if he'd been turned by a different type of vampire? Would the mortal he was have still become the Angelus we know...or would he have had the potential to be different?"

We'll just not get too deep into the idea of vampire 'genetics' because, helllooo...migraine!

Re: Class Participation

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"You know, that's a good question," Willow said. "Because the vamps that are all evil and world-endy tend to hang out and not spend too much time with the vamps who are more interested in sitting around and watching soaps all day. Except for Spike who kind of overlaps."