Magical Ethics: Week 5, Period 1

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

Alysha wasn't in the classroom as the students came in. A few moments after the bell rang, she strode in, flipping her cell phone shut and slapping it onto the desk.

"Sorry," she apologised to the students, eyeing the phone a bit warily though it wasn't doing anything more than sitting there. "My Auntie Jane called. She's -" Alysha mentally scrolled through a list of adjectives in her head to try to find one that wouldn't cause Auntie Jane to retaliate from a thousand miles away "- demanding." There. That worked. She'd even take pride in it.

"Anyway," she glanced around at the class, noting who was present and who wasn't. "Good to see you all again, and I hope this weekend was less stressful than the previous one. I don't see any bleeding at least so it's a win." She pushed up to sit on the desk, within reaching distance of the phone but totally ignoring it for now. "Today we're going to talk about why it matters. We've spent four weeks talking about what we think about 'right and proper' uses of magic and restrictions - if any - on it. We haven't really touched on yet why talking about, arguing about, forming an opinion of magical ethics is important."

Alysha quirked a smile. "You have to assume I do since I'm teaching a class on it, and I'm guessing at least some of you think it does what with the whole signing up for the class and not sitting there in silence so - here's your chance to talk about it. What's the point of considering or forming ethical guidelines for the uses of magic, telepathy, random spider powers like that Arachnid-Boy and why are we doing it?"

"If any of you need me, I'm around after class or in my office, and remember, keep the conversation to something approximating civility."

Comments

Sign in [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

Like you're considering deeply.

Re: Sign in [2-2]

[youcantfollow.livejournal.com]

Griffin O'Conner

Re: Sign in [2-2]

[intraspective]

Yamanaka Ino

Re: Sign in [2-2]

[life_inshadow]

Tara Maclay

Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

Or take notes, make hand gestures, eat ice cream, whatever.

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[youcantfollow.livejournal.com]

Griffin was having a good morning so far, not knowing he was to be denied chocolate next block. Of course, he knew why ethics were necessary, he just couldn't help that he'd exhibited really poor ones of his own in regard to his power over the years but his general opinion was screw 'em, he was just a kid.

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[intraspective]

Blah blah blah. It wasn't anything to do with the lecture or the class but today Ino was just in a very blah sort of mood and toying absently with her pen.

What was the point anyway?

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[puppy_fair]

Ino was blah, and Zack was observant. That worked out nicely, didn't it?

He shot her a questioning look, and then, a few moments later, he flicked a note her way.

Talk to me at reserves?

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[intraspective]

One eyebrow went up slightly at the note but she shrugged a bit.

Sure, why not?

Her note back was concise: Sure.

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[life_inshadow]

Tara did not have ice cream (woe), but she did have a baggy of cereal under her desk that she was eating one Cheerio at a time, trying not to be spotted.

She was nervous about the conversation this week, since things had kind of fallen apart for her the last time she spoke up in class.

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[stylin-wizard.livejournal.com]

Alex listened to the lecture, knowing her brother would have lots to say on today's topic. She, on the other hand, would have to think about it for a bit.

Re: Listen to the Lecture [2-2]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda was doodling. No there was no particular reason why she was doodling pictures of dogs. Why?

Answer the Question [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

What's the point of considering or forming ethical guidelines for the uses of magic, telepathy, random spider powers like that Arachnid-Boy and why are we doing it?

Re: Answer the Question [2-2]

[glacial_queen]

"Same reasons we have ethics for all behavior, isn't it?" Karla asked. "To try to prevent people with powers from rising up and making themselves petty dictators, crushing people without powers beneath their collective heel. By deciding what is and is not appropriate behavior for a group, it makes that group easier to police, either internally or externally."

Re: Answer the Question [2-2]

[puppy_fair]

Zack nodded his agreement to that, smiling faintly.

"Or, maybe, not even just for such huge extremes," he added. "I mean, people taking advantage of their powers in order to have a hostile takeover would be bad, but even beyond that... For the good of individuals who people with power might encounter, too. Hurting people doesn't just mean forcing control over them, right?"

Re: Answer the Question [2-2]

[oops-mbad.livejournal.com]

"Exactly." Diana nodded in Karla's general direction. "Especially since people with powers sometimes actually have the opportunity to rise up and become dictators. Or at least more often than non-powered people."

Re: Answer the Question [2-2]

[justwantsquiet.livejournal.com]

"It's like driving a car," Sookie said thoughtfully. "Or being allowed to carry a gun. You need to be able to form an opinion about this advantage you have over other people. You need to have the tools to understand it and not endanger others."

Re: Answer the Question [2-2]

[life_inshadow]

"What she said," Tara agreed. "If you just, uh, just jump into a car and start driving you c-can mow people down. It's better to spend some time studying first."

Talk to the TAs [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

Once they ping in.

Re: Talk to the TAs [2-2]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund was quiet, but present.

Re: Talk to the TAs [2-2]

[wantstodirect]

Tony was there with coffee.

Talk to Alysha [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

During or after class.

Re: Talk to Alysha [2-2]

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"I was a cat last week." Leda said, by way of explanation of her absence.

OOC [2-2]

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

Home again, home again.

Re: OOC [2-2]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Jiggity jig.