Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara looks excited, as students trickle in, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.

"Okay, we've got a lot to get through today. Two announcements to start:

First, Teacher's Assistants have been chosen. I have a carrot - Major K! - and a stick - Angelus. If you're having trouble grasping a concept, talk to Major K!. He'll guide you through the thinking. If you think you've got a hold on it, talk to Angelus. He'll challenge your thinking, give you the opportunity to clarify your position.

Second, and related to the latter - this class is not an easy A. At some point in this course you will find yourself challenged and confronted. For many of you, that will be today. If you walk out of this classroom before class is over, and without checking it with me, I may be understandably upset. However, I recognise that if you get angry or upset, you may need some time alone, or away from the group. To that end, I present to you the Emo Closet Time Out Room." She walks to the back of the classroom and opens the door to what previously was a supply cabinet. Inside is what looks very much like a white padded room. "This room is soundproofed. You can cry, scream and punch things all you want, and I will not penalise you for leaving the class or the discussion. Major K! or I will come to check on anyone who goes to the Emo Closet Time Out Room, in case you need help or support. Feel free to tell us to leave you alone.

Now, we've got our first debate to hear, a discussion topic to... um, discuss, and your first out of class assignment. Which you are going to kill, or at least seriously maim, me for giving you.

Comments

Re: Debate

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

She takes a deep breath, and continues.

"Another common argument for ‘acceptable murder’ is the related ‘crime of passion’. For example, my boyfriend catches me kissing in bed with Jake in girlform another man. In his rage, he punches kills the other man and/or me. Under law, in some jurisdictions, the rage would be likened to a form of insanity, which would shield my boyfriend from a murder conviction. It would be homicide, probably manslaughter and aggravated assault. Once again, the law says this is not murder. But even if we accept that it is murder, it is only said to be ‘more acceptable’ because of the passion, not acceptable. We concur. It is not acceptable to murder someone simply because they had sex with your partner. The death solves nothing.

Stipulated, however, that there are cultures in which it would be perfectly acceptable to kill someone for that behavior, we nevertheless argue that such cultures would not consider that killing to be a murder.

A final example is euthanasia or other forms of mercy killing. Even the term ‘mercy killing’ is designed to suggest that this form of murder is or ought to be acceptable. A beautiful young woman, captured and tortured by terrorists, is found by an arms trader during the course of one of his deals with the terrorists. The girl has been raped, beaten, cut, is essentially destroyed. He cannot take the girl with him, he cannot argue on her behalf. He can strangle her and ‘put her out of her misery’. He does. Murder? Yes. Acceptable? Undoubtedly we have sympathy for the man, and the girl. The death seems like a mercy of a sort. But is it acceptable? No. She might’ve escaped, rebuilt herself, become something wonderful and powerful and valuable to society. She might’ve become a nun. She might’ve killed herself. The arms trader took away her choice. That is unacceptable.

There are other circumstances in which it might be argued that murder is acceptable. However, whether under a legal or moral definition, we reject that contention. Irrevocably ending the life of another person, permanently severing them from free will and freedom of action, is an unacceptable exercise of personal power.”

Re: Debate

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka nodded an appreciative smile to Rory. She'd done well with a lot of material. "Great job," she mouthed.