fandomhigh | Ethics class, 2-4pm Monday afternoon

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, you will answer to me, personally. You will 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. If I don't get enough volunteers, I will volunteer someone. 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. TAs are expected to prompt discussion and challenge other students to analyse their own responses as well as the tasks expected of any other student. If you are interested, please say so on your paper, or see me after class."

[OOC: Class will be open for responses for the next week, for those who need to slowplay. For those of you who read Friday's class, this speech is not directly cribbed. That would be totally irresponsible. I made two changes.]

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"Ethics is so near and dear to my unbeating heart," Angelus put a hand on his chest mock-dramatically. "If I can help but one of my fellow students learn to open their minds, my work here will be done. ~~I look good in leather. Just sayin'.~~"

*nods*

Ethics are very important. Help you to know were you stand with people.

~~Really? I hadn't noticed.~~

Very true. And why good guys so very often lose. ~~I hadn't noticed that about you either.~~

Also true.

~~Darn. Have to do something about that.~~

Sometimes I think people who claim to be into nobility and the greater good just use words like that as an excuse to indulge their fetish for acting like a martyr. As though denying what you want automatically makes you a better person. ~~Fashion show. Just a suggestion.~~

"I'm going to jump in on that one," Tara interrupts. "The two of you seem to have a somewhat skeptical attitude towards do-gooders. Do you think a wholly selfless act is possible?

~~Damn it, we were talking about leather!~~

"I think a lot of do-gooders are in denial about what they really want," Angelus said. "I don't mind a do-gooder who places saving their family and friends above strangers, but don't act like you're not playing favorites."

~~Oh, don't let me stop you from your interesting leather discussion. I'm barely restraining myself from leering at Callisto as it is.~~

"So what do you think motivates people to do good - particularly when the people they're saving are strangers?"

~~I don't leer. At all. Okay maybe a little.~~

"Ultimately because that's what they want to do," Angelus said. "It makes them feel good. It gives them a reason to get up in the morning. Whatever."

~~Liar. That innocent face doesn't work on you at all. I'd suggest your practice in the mirror, but...~~

"Do you believe self-interest motivates both good and evil acts? That fundamentally, people do what makes them feel better about themselves and the world they live in?"

~~Can't blame a guy for trying.~~

"Yes," Angelus said. "We're all geared to try to make our lives something we enjoy living in. The only thing that changes is what gives that pleasure."

"In that case, is there any difference between a good action and an evil action? Or is it just illusion?"

"Whose side you're on," Angelus said. "If it's my action, it's good. If you're against me, I think you're evil. And vice versa."

"And yet you've been known to identify your side as 'evil'. Why? ~~And does it matter how close someone is against you?~~"

"Sorry, I was using editorial 'me' and 'you' there," Angelus said. "It's all just semantics in the end. Kind of like how if you win you're a daring freedom fighter, but if you lose you were a terrorist."

[ooc: Going to bed now]

Heroism is just an excuse for being too afraid to take what you really want, act how you want, be who you want. ~~Maybe the JA should organise one. I'm sure Faith and Bel would be interested as well.~~

Alternatively, heroism is doing what you want, but putting it under the label of greater good because that makes you feel better about yourself. ~~That's... not a dumb idea, actually. Want to come to the meeting tomorrow and suggest it?~~

You have a point there.

I am supposed to be working, but since I think Sunshine ate my boss, why not? I have to talk to Jonathan about our plans for Wednesday anyway?

Not that I'm planning on joining up, or anything.

"I often do," Angelus grinned.

~~Totally understood. Specific project affiliation only. I'll put you on the schedule.~~

~~I'll be there. Will there be cookies?~~

~~Or brownies. Depends on what Deb's got on the menu.~~

"That implies that what you really want, what you really want to do, and who you really want to be isn't inkeeping with the image of heroism. What do you think people really want, Callisto? And why do some use heroism as a means to get it?

I'm thinking the JA should have a slave auction as a fundraiser. Just a suggestion from a purely impartial observer. *does not volunteer to be a slave*

One of the most defining aspects of heroism is selflessness. To be a true "Hero", you have to subsume your own wants and needs for someone elses.

People as a rule tend to be motivated by self-interest, they want to survive, they want to prosper, although what they define as prosperity may vary.

Heroes, at least we're I come from, tend to be lauded by the masses. Often they can get away with behavior that wouldn't be tolerated if commited by normal people purely by virtue of their heroism. I imagine that some kinds of people could find that very attractive.

"So heroism is defined not by the motive of the hero, but by the response the public gives them?"

Aw, c'mon. We did it at my school every year. You just have to get some teachers and the student council to volunteer as slaves... *tempt tempt*

Less the response the public gives them, then that actions tend to be defined heroic or not by observers rather than participants..

~~Talk to Angelus, I'm not in the JA. Too big a target to hang on my back.~~

Ethics class, 2-4pm Monday afternoon

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