Ethics [Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 1st period]

[sith_happened]

"Welcome back," Anakin said, striding to the front of the class--where the students' desks had been pushed against the walls--to lean against the blackboard. "Today we move away from Kant and onto an American philosopher named John Rawls. He's a more modern philosopher, and the main tenet of Rawlsianism is that most reasonable principles of justice are those everyone would accept and agree to from a fair position. The question, naturally, then turns into 'what is a fair position' and his use of something called the veil of ignorance that magically makes everyone unaware of their positions in society in order to determine if something is fair or not."

He pushed off of the wall and paced down the center of the room. "Rawls also argues that even meritocracy—a distributive system that rewards effort—doesn’t go far enough in leveling the playing field because those who are naturally gifted will always get ahead. Furthermore, says Rawls, the naturally gifted can’t claim much credit because their success often depends on factors as arbitrary as birth order or how you were raised as a child."

He waved his hand, indicating the students should form a line in the center of the classroom. "Today we'll conduct a little experiment in demonstrating privilege. Afterwards, I want you to discuss if such things matter in Fandom like they do back in your home universes, and if not, why not."

He reached for a piece of paper. "Let's begin."

Comments

Chat before class [10/18]

[sith_happened]

Catch up on all the fall break gossip!

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

[lockestheway]

Ethics. Peter's favorite class. Honest.

He might have been leaning back in his chair just a little before Anakin came in.

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

It was the first time Luke had been in a large crowd since the Styx and he felt he was handling things nicely. He sipped on a coffee and fell into his usual nonchalance and boredom with class.

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

Juliet hadn't been back at school for long, so she was listening to a podcast on her phone before class as she tried to catch up on any good gossip.

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

[dollpocalypse]

To the untrained eye, it might appear that Topher was texting today.

But he wasn't. He was playing Tetris.

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Annie was both in class and in a good mood today, though there would be no gossipping about break. There would be going over her notes from the last class, though.

Sign in [10/18]

[sith_happened]

Looking privileged.

Re: Sign in [10/18]

[whitequeensfire.livejournal.com]

Angelica Jones

Experiment in Privilege

[sith_happened]

And massive OCD. My apologies.

The students start lined up on a white piece of tape running down the center of the room. Take steps forward or back as Anakin reads off various descriptions.

Experiment in Privilege-1

[sith_happened]

"If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, species, gender, magical powers, or sexual orientation, take one step back."

Anakin had tweaked the questions slightly for Fandom.

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 2

[sith_happened]

"If your parents were professional: doctors, lawyers, etc., take one step forward."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 3

[sith_happened]

"If you ever tried to change you appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or ridiculed, take one step back."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 4

[sith_happened]

"If there were more than 50 books--or the technological equivalent in your universe--in your house when you grew up, take one step forward."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 5

[sith_happened]

"If you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry because there was not enough money to buy food when you were growing up, take one step back."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 6

[sith_happened]

"If you were ever offered a good job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 7

[sith_happened]

"If one of your parents did not complete high school--or your universe's equivalent of such education--take one step back."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 8

[sith_happened]

"And finally, if your parents or guardians told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward."

Re: Experiment in Privilege - Conclusion

[sith_happened]

How far off the line are you? In which direction?

Answer the discussion questions! [10/13]

[sith_happened]

"In a school full of geniuses, princesses, multi-billionaires and slaves, have we formed a different sort of meritocracy here? Does how you were raised before arriving on the island matter as much here as it does when you return home?"

Re: Answer the discussion questions! [10/13]

[whitequeensfire.livejournal.com]

"I'm, um, not so sure about merits," Angelica offered up shyly, "but here in Fandom I don't have to hide what I am and be afraid, so it's a lot easier to focus on studies and stuff. I think I'm doing better in my classes here now because of that."

Re: Answer the discussion questions! [10/13]

[lockestheway]

"I think social groups play more of a role, honestly. It's high school - social standing is always going to be power," Peter said lightly. "And we have so many people of troubling backgrounds around - they're going to gravitate towards one another."

Not that he had experience with everyone hating him upon entry or anything.

Re: Answer the discussion questions! [10/13]

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I think that most of the things that would make someone unusual back in their home worlds doesn't really matter here. Most everybody is pretty accepting and can relate or even top any oddities that someone here might have," Luke said. "I mean, I've gotten quite a few looks for what I am even in Fandom, but there's still at least three other people in school that are like me."

Talk to the TAs [10/18]

[sith_happened]

Who might, for different reasons, not entirely appreciate today's experiment.

Re: Talk to the TAs [10/18]

[godgavemecable.livejournal.com]

Toby definitely still seemed uncomfortable with just how much he'd laid bare about himself during that exercise, crossing his arms across his chest protectively.

Talk to Anakin [10/18]

[sith_happened]

Who would have ended up behind the white line if he'd answered the questions he'd asked.

OOC

[sith_happened]

Sorry this took so long!

Re: OOC

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

I am now doing this for all my other characters. I get Jack at -2, Tara at -1, Romeo at +1 (which seems low), Quinn at +1, Tyrion at +2 (which seems high).

Also, I may have far too many characters who came from rich families.