fandomhigh | Ethics class, 8-10am Friday morning

Tara leans against her desk, smiling as she watches the students come in. Some of the faces she recognises, and gives a nod. The room is filled with soft, comfortable chairs, which are positioned in a circle. Each chair has a wooden insert in one arm, to lean on while writing, and each wooden insert has a blank piece of paper on it.

When everyone has taken their seats, Tara begins.

"The first rule of ethics class is that you do not talk about things that happen inside of ethics class. The second rule of ethics class is that you do not talk about things that happen inside of ethics class. Allow me to clarify: you may discuss your revelations, challenge your friends and mock the teacher all you like. But if anything said inside this class is ever used against another member of it, it will mean instant detention. You will, however, have the opportunity to explain yourself before I drag you before Principal Connor. This class cannot function if people are afraid to speak."

She looks around the classroom, stopping briefly on each face. "This school is very unusual. Yes, obviously the squid is a bit odd, but what's more interesting to me is that there are individuals sitting in this room" she nods to Angelus, "who identify themselves as evil. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what the first section of the course will be discussing. Evil, good, and what makes the difference between the two. Your evil classmates have perspectives you need to think about and consider. Don't ignore them in a mistaken belief that they have no ethics."

"Each class runs for two hours. Ordinarily this will be broken up into two sections: discussion and debate - today, however, there will be two discussion sections instead. The majority of your assessment will come through your involvement in class discussions. Every student is expected to participate every week. If you are painfully shy, write your thoughts down and hand them in to me. If I don't know what you're thinking, you don't get credit for it. After this week a formal debate will be held once a week. For those of you unfamiliar with debating, this means two teams of three students taking opposing sides on an issue determined by me. You will each be expected to debate three times during the term, with a week's notice to prepare for each one. At the end of semester a practical exam will be held. This will assess not what you choose to do, but how accurately you have come to an understanding of your own ethical code. I expect you to be honest with yourselves.

Friday and Monday classes are identical. Please feel free to switch between them if you have commitments that interfere with your regular attendance."

"I will want two teacher's assistants for this course, whose function it is to prompt discussion and challenge your thinking. These students will be expected to attend both Monday and Friday classes. Today's discussion will serve as your audition. If you are interested, please say so on your paper, or see me after class."

She smiles. "Alright, enough from me. Here's your first challenge: I want you to identify something you have done in the course of your life that another person might consider to be evil. I want you to explain to me why you did it, and whether you would make the same choices again if placed into a similar situation. You do not have to share this with your fellow students. Throw ideas around, talk about what different people consider evil, but write your final answers down on your piece of paper."

(Second challenge will be posted in the comments below. Discussion will be closed Thursday next week, for those who need to slowplay.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"No, in that case you go to the police and tell them why you think this and ask for help from them. Self defence is when someone's got a knife at your throat and is about to kill you."

"And in the absence of social structures? What if there is no police force?"

Cameron stares at Tara for a moment, the thought of no social structure would never have come to his mind. "You protect when an attack happens. Pre-emptive strikes are rarely - if ever - considered self defence."

Tara nods. "Would you be more or less willing to kill to save your own life, or to save someone elses? Does it make a difference?"

"I think saving your own life is a sense of self preservation, it comes as a reflex. Saving someone else's life is a choice we make, so there is a moral difference. In the end, I'd hope that I have what it takes to put someone else's life before mine."

"Thank you, Cameron." She leans over his shoulder, glancing at his paper and says quietly, "I'd like you to try and think of something you were in control of. Remember, this isn't necessarily what you consider evil. Try to think about how another person, or another culture might view some of your experiences."

"Oh," getting inspiration, Cameron adds to what he wrote down. "Asking out Kara Thrace to Homecoming because of a dare, despite knowing that a friend of mine has a thing for her. And then hitting said friend, even if he hit me first. That was a lousy thing to do. And the 80s outfit I wore to Homecoming."

Kawalsky mutters, knowing that Cam is right. "Practice makes perfect."

After Tara's comment (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhigh/219732.html?thread=10255444#t10255444), Cam leans closer to Kawalsky and whispers. "Dude, what have I done that's evil?"

"Uh.. I dunno. Wearing that 80s outfit was pretty evil on my eyes."

Cameron snorts. "True," he admits but his face falls as he remembers homecoming and what happens afterwards.

Kawalsky claps Cam on the back. "Focus, pal. Evil stuff. You ever kicked a dog? Bit a kitten's ear? Told a lie? Lies can be pretty evil, even if it's telling your teacher your dog ate your homework."

"Bit a kitten's ear? Dude, that's sick." Cameron shakes his head.

"I've seen it happen. The kid was just a little little kid though. Didn't know it'd hurt the cat."

"Hmm, in that case it's not really evil..."

"Are you kidding? Anything under the age of 5 is pure evil."

Cameron frowns. "Maybe, but being evil usually implies that you know what you're doing is wrong."

"Oh. Well then.. anything under 5 is.. something chaotic, but not evil then?"

"Sure, why not? Unless it's one of those psycho kids like in those horror movies about the anti-christ."

"OH. Like those white-haired kids with the red eyes and the evil and then Superman kicked their asses."

"Exactly, we should ask the Tick what he thinks of 5 year olds."

Kawalsky nods solemnly. "He'll know what to do about them."

Tara interrupts the conversation, showing no sign of animosity that they've been discussing the merits of evil kittens and tiny children. "Major K!, you seem to have gotten a handle on the line of analysis I'm looking for. Would you like to give Cameron some suggestions?"

Re: Second Hour

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 14:52 (UTC) - Expand

"The Tick is one smart blue dude." Cameron nods in agreement.

Kawalsky gets back on topic, after being prodded by Professor Maclay. "So Cam. Ever done anything that your parents would think is bad and evil? How about your first grade teacher? Anything that would make angry religious fundamentalists come banging down your door so you'd need to call me to save your sorry ass? That kinda thing."

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 14:57 (UTC) - Expand

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:01 (UTC) - Expand

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:03 (UTC) - Expand

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:06 (UTC) - Expand

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:08 (UTC) - Expand

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:18 (UTC) - Expand

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:25 (UTC) - Expand

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:31 (UTC) - Expand

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:33 (UTC) - Expand

kawalsky.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 15:36 (UTC) - Expand

cameronmitchell.livejournal.com - 2005-10-14 16:24 (UTC) - Expand