Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #4, Friday, 8-10am

[brambless.livejournal.com]

[ooc: My deepest apologies for posting this so late.]

Tara smiles worriedly as the students come in, checking face after face.

"Today's topic is power and responsibility, and I would like to remind you all that your grade comes from your discussion, not your presence. If you don't feel comfortable talking, write something down and hand it in to me. Being a silent warm body in the classroom is no different than not turning up."

[ooc: And I would remind you that I leave posts open for the whole week. If you post 'shows up and takes a seat' I know you're still alive, but you need to actually address the discussion topics to pass the class.]

Comments

Re: First Hour

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Power does not automatically come with responsibilities. However if you wish to keep any power you may have, it's a good idea to use it in a responsible fashion."

Re: First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara raises her eyebrows. "And what would 'a responsible fashion' entail?"

Re: First Hour

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Back home I lead a small army. If I asked them to these men would die, and kill, for me. Now, I could order them into a situation where they would all die for no good reason, and they would be loyal enough to follow that order. However, afterwards, not only wouldn't I have an army anymore, chances are that once word got out, I wouldn't be able as able to recruit a new one. That would be an example of using power in an irresponsible fashion."

Re: First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"That's a lovely example, thank you Callisto. And what about your responsibility to your society? Do you direct your army based on your own whims, or are you compelled to consider the wider effect it will have on the world around you? What are the consequences if you don't consider those things?"

Re: First Hour

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"What society?" Callisto grins sardonically. "While ultimately, my army is lead according to my 'whims', I would be lying if I said I didn't have to take into consideration the impact taking my army into different areas or battles would have, if only for the fact that making too much trouble for the locals might lead to the nearest king or warlord trying to wipe us out."

Re: First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara nods, trying to summarise Callisto's viewpoint. "So your responsibility is a product of the consequences that could be visited on you by those more powerful than you, either by your need for their participation, or by virtue of their own position."

Re: First Hour

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Something like that."