Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #3, Monday, 2-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Two boxes sit on Tara's desk. One is filled with homemade cookies, with a small placard labelled 'To all those who attempted the assignment - help yourselves!'. The other is a bin to return the Master/slave badges at the end of the class.

Tara smiles as the students settle down.

"I told you last week that part of the point of this assignment was to separate out the issues of slavery and abuse. There are many, many issues with slavery, even without abusive elements attached, and I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you for attempting the assignment - especially those of you who were uncomfortable with it. I have a lot I want to say, but I'm going to bite my tongue and let you all speak, first. Tell me about your experiences with the assignment - what was challenging for you? What was easier than you thought it would be? Do you have any insights you would like to share?"

[ooc: If you would provide linkage to any RPed assignment bits and pieces, I would be forever grateful when it comes time for grading. Also, those of you who made icons? I adore you, and worship your icon-fu.]




"I would not ask anything of you that I am unwilling to do myself - including act as a slave. Anyone who completed the assignment is eligible to 'win' me as a slave, under the same terms of the assignment as you performed. I realise many of you are probably glad that this is over, but if you are interested, or want revenge, please put your name down on the sheet provided. I will post this as a voting list, and the involved parties will decide as a class who is to Master me, and what is to be done with me."

Comments

Before class starts

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Any details or conversations before class. Help yourself to the cookies.

Re: Before class starts

[egyptianlove.livejournal.com]

Evelyn shows up and sits in one of the chairs, looking around the room with interest.

Re: Before class starts

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Not fond of sweets, Shane has opted to pass on the cookie, but her Ethics Master badge sits on the desk in front of her. She had honestly thought that she would be glad to be rid of the thing by the time the next class came, but... she had been given a great deal to think about.

Re: Before class starts

[chasingangela]

Angela didn't do the assignment, so she doesn't take a cookie.

She couldn't eat, anyhow.

Her wings are not the most comfortable thing to sit in a desk chair while wearing.

Re: Before class starts

[wannabelawyer.livejournal.com]

*Lindsey walks up to Tara, looking slightly nervous.*

Ma'am? I think my partner may have dropped the class and nobody told me. I never saw her last week or heard from her. I probably should've mentioned that earlier...sorry. I'd be happy to do something else as a make-up assignment or whatever. What would like me to do?

Re: Before class starts

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus comes in dressed per his usual. He gives Tara a wink when he sees her. "Nice costume, teach."

Re: Before class starts

[miss-monochrome.livejournal.com]

::still wearing her Halloween costume, or at least the dress part of it, Chiana smiles at Tara and then takes her seat::

Re: Before class starts

[http://users.livejournal.com/sydney_bristow_/]

Sydney comes in and takes a seat

Re: Before class starts

[master-of-fear.livejournal.com]

"Umm, Tara, I was wondering if Sydney and I could get an extention on the project. She wasn't feeling well all last week," he explains gesturing to his stmach, "and in her delicate condition I didn't want to strain her."

((see OOC comment))

Re: Before class starts

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John signs in and grabs a handful of cookies.

Re: Before class starts

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Charlie showed up, but didn't say practically anything for the whole two hours. He seemed unfocused.

First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Discussing the assignment, as above.

Re: First Hour

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

"Was that really necessary to show that slavery is unethical? I might have told you that a week ago."

Second Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Okay, this is all good stuff. Now let's take it back to a discussion topic.

Much of the issues arising about slavery are bound up in the violation of another's free will. In parts of Africa, the word for slave is the same as the word for child - as many of you may have found, the basic responsibilities for a Master are not unlike those of a parent, and the power dynamic allows equal opportunity for abuse, though thankfully one that is seized upon much less often.

So today I'd like you to think about the 'helpless' - those people in society, including children and the mentally disabled, who are unable to care for themselves. Obviously, it is someone's responsibility to care for them. What are they expected to do for themselves, or contribute to society? At what age or level of competence are they allowed to have sex, drive a car, raise a family? Does denying the helpless the right to choose any of these things for themselves have any relation to slavery?"

Re: Second Hour

[miss-monochrome.livejournal.com]

Children are adults in miniature form. When they become old enough to do basic functions on their own, they are expected to become productive members of society and serve the Greater Good in their chosen career. Those unable to care for themselves will be Dealt With through Other Means. ::she says this in a monotone voice, suggesting that it was something she had memorized rather than actually believed::

Other than that, ::shrugs:: I...I have no idea. Realistically, nobody owes anybody anything - except for owing it to yourself to care for yourself.

::blinks:: Wait, whadya mean "allowed" to have sex? Who cares when ya have sex? ::is honestly confused at that::

Re: Second Hour

[stykera]

Not the same thing. Not the same.
If they're truly helpless, really helpless, they can't make their own decisions. Can't deny them choices if they could never have had them. They need help.
Not the same with slaves. We...they are denied things, everything, choices they should have.

Re: Second Hour

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Does denying the helpless the right to choose any of these things for themselves have any relation to slavery?"

"I think it does," Shane says, nodding, a pensive furrow to her brow. "It's... it's making decisions for someone else. In some ways, though, it's different... because kids... don't know what's best for them. It's hard to say what age a group of people should be to drive a car or have sex or whatever... because it -- it's an individual thing. Some people are... capable of more than others."

Re: Second Hour

[soldtoarmenians]

Xander slides into the classroom around 3-ish, but doesn't speak up until he gets a feel for the other conversations going on.

"It's kinda hard to say - sure, you've got 16 year olds who are okay to drive a car or have sex, and others who shouldn't drive a car ever, and probably shouldn't be doing the dirty for a couple more years - but then, who gets to decide? And how do we know they're qualified to make that call?"

Re: Second Hour

[master-of-fear.livejournal.com]

Children are under the control of their parents for a good reason, when they are young, they lack the ability to care for themselves. Once they are able to care for themselves the dynamic between them and their parents change. It's why teenagers rebel, they're often emotionally mature enough to not need their parents protecting them from things, but can't yet be financially independent. Maturity takes place at different times and that is part of the individual experience of raising a child.

Slavery is an explotative and (in my opinion) immoral practice, it isn't however (as the assignment demonstrated) an nessecarily abusive practice. Several slavery situations are abusive, when a master believes they are in complete control over another being they can and will do whatever they want to that person, it is not however, a prerequisite for slavery. What is wrong about slavery is that it takes away the natural freedoms a person has, not that it's abusive. I think that was part of what you were trying to illustrate.

Partner Evaluation

[brambless.livejournal.com]

50% of your partner's mark comes from your evaluation of them. Please take a moment to explain how you think they did.

Re: Partner Evaluation

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Chloe was... incredible. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/251202.html) Amazing. I totally couldn't have gotten through the assignment without her. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/252206.html?thread=10045486#t10045486) She -- she was so ... just so graceful (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/252206.html?thread=10075182#t10075182) and together (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/256334.html?thread=10225998#t10225998) and ... she made the entire assignment so much easier, just being who she is. She made me want to work harder, to take care of her in the best way I could."

Shane's smile is small and bashful but genuine. "I guess it kinda helps that she and I knew each other a little bit already, but... even if I hadn't, I think things probably would have gone the same way... because of her. She was just so incredible. I guess I just hope that I was even half as good as a Master as she was as my partner. Chloe's a very special person and ... I'm really lucky to have her as my friend and was just crazy-wicked lucky to have been assigned to her as her partner."

Re: Partner Evaluation

[miss-monochrome.livejournal.com]

Seeing as she had to...to deal with all of my dren on top of everything else, Rory was great. ::goes on to say other wonderfull things::

Rory telling Chiana about the assignment (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/213700.html?thread=8428228#t8428228)
Rory and Chiana's terms (http://www.livejournal.com/users/miss_monochrome/7853.html)
Other stuff #1 (http://www.livejournal.com/users/miss_monochrome/2487.html?thread=64695#t64695)
Other stuff #2 (http://www.livejournal.com/users/rory__gilmore/21462.html)
And other non-RP'ed things.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Put your name down here if you want revenge on Tara to give Tara the experience of slavery.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

After class, Shane stares down at the sheet of paper for several long beats, her hands stuffed into the back pockets of her jeans, lips twisted into a pensive frown. Hesitating for a few moments more, she pulls her hands out of her pockets and reaches up into the inside breast pocket of her jacket, pulling out her pen.

Bending over the desk, she writes down her name. She doesn't want revenge and she'd do anything to keep anyone else from exacting any on Tara, even if it means another uncomfortable week of her acting as a Master.

Putting the cap back on her pen, Shane fits the pen into the corner of her mouth, chewing on the cap rather purposefully as she stares at her name written on the page, a perturbed crease between her brows. Heaving a noiseless sigh, she stuffs her hands back into her pockets and goes to wait for Tara so that she can be escorted off-campus again.

Emo Closet

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Should you be in need of it.

OOC

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Snark, feedback and commentary welcome.

Re: OOC

[master-of-fear.livejournal.com]

((quit stealing ideas from our counseling sessions! *snicker*))