Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

[brambless.livejournal.com]

After today's somewhat explosive Ethics class, Tara grabs lunch and returns to the classroom, anticipating fallout from various students... and questions from others.

Comments

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe thinks about it for a few moments before nodding. "That certainly sounds like an interesting assignment. I guess I came in at a good time." She laughs. "As long as there's guidelines to protect everyone, it seems okay to me."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara laughs a little, gratefully. "You're the first person to say that. This wasn't supposed to be traumatic!" She shakes her head. "There's a dozen guidelines, including safewords so that no-one has to do anything they don't want to do."

Smiling, and looking a little more relaxed, Tara says, "well all we really need to do is run through last week's exercises if you want credit for them. If you'd rather not, you can take a non-participation mark for that class. What would you like to do?"

[mycanonhatesme]

"It probably wouldn't be good to start off the class with a non-participation mark." Chloe smiles. "I don't mind going through last week's exercises."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara smiles a little. "Alright, then. The first one was to identify something you've done over the course of your life that another person might consider evil - even if you don't. Think about it from the perspective of other cultures, or religious groups."

[mycanonhatesme]

"Well..." Chloe stops for a second, before realizing that if her teacher is making an assignment based on slavery, something like this would probably be small. "I've had premarital sex. Like, multiple times with the same person. I know there are religious groups that frown heavily on that sort of thing."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Perfect example," Tara smiles. "So, knowing that some people would condemn you for it, do you regret your decision?"

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe makes a small face of indecision. "Well, I sometimes regret it, but for my own reasons, not because someone else might think it's wrong."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"And that's moral relativism," Tara grins, nodding. "Different things are right for different people, and in different circumstances. Just because someone thinks you are your actions are evil doesn't make it so - and just because you think someone or their actions are evil doesn't make it so, either."

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe nods. "That makes sense. Of course, the hard part is remembering that that goes both ways, and doesn't just support one side or the other."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara echoes Chloe's nod, murmuring "yes it is." Then, "next question, if you're ready: Murder is probably considered among the most clearly 'evil' acts. Under what circumstances would you, personally, kill someone?"

[mycanonhatesme]

That's a question that certainly makes Chloe think for a few moments. "Self defense. And maybe in the defense of others who can't defend themselves at the time. I don't think I'd be able to justify it otherwise."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"What constitutes self defence, Chloe?" Tara asks, cocking her head in question. "When it's your life or theirs? Or would you kill to save yourself - or someone else - from rape, or torture?" Her eyes are kind, and voice gentle.

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe bites her lip, reminding herself that this is an Ethics question, so it probably doesn't have a completely wrong answer. "Well, I think my life or theirs definitely counts as self defense. And yeah, I'd include rape and torture in there. I think defending yourself against anyone who might cause you physical or mental damage on a permanent level can be considered self defense."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara smiles, nodding. "You're doing very, very well, Chloe. One more question, and then this is over, okay? If you had the chance to disable them rather than killing them - but with a risk that you'd lose control of the situation, and be permanently damaged - would you take the risk?"

[mycanonhatesme]

"No, I don't think I would," Chloe says, shaking her head. "I know that's probably not a very nice answer, but I wouldn't want to take the risk."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"This isn't about being nice, Chloe. I truly hope you're never put into that situation, but the point is - murder is evil. But there are degrees, and there are justifications. Everyone draws the line somewhere differently, and what you would do isn't always the same as what you believe is right. Or nice."

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe smiles lightly. "I hope I'm never put into that situation either. But yeah, I guess beliefs kind of fly out the window when you're about to be hurt or killed."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"A philosopher once said 'just because I am not strong enough to follow my principles doesn't mean that I don't believe in them'. What this class is about is figuring out what you're strong enough for - and what you believe. And," she nods, grinning a little, "recognising that other people are allowed to believe differently."