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

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.