Ethics Class, Monday, 2-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara's face is tight and drawn as she addresses the class.

"For those of you who heard about Friday's class - we're not talking about that. If you wish to talk to me in my office hours you are very welcome to although they will be slowplayed liek woah, because I'm single parenting this week. However, I would appreciate it if we could keep in-class discussion today on the topic at hand.

"The topic, such as it is, will be chosen today by you, not by me. Here's what I want you to do:

"Raise an ethical issue. Give us your opinion on it. I don't mind what you choose - there are hundreds of issues we haven't touched on yet in class. Go wild. Have some fun with it, if you want to, just make sure there is an ethical question to be addressed. Respond to another person's raised issue with your opinion - beyond just 'I agree'. I'd love to see you all engage in some proper debates with one another, and I'm quite happy to give extra credit for people who engage in multiple debates."

Comments

Re: Class Discussion

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie leans back in his chair quietly, thinking this over for a very long time.

"Drawing from my personal experience . . . what are the ethics of mutiny? Say that your superior officer can be proven to be a threat to the lives and well-being of his crew -- say if he is credibly mad. However, you are bound by the law to adhere to the chain of command and the command of said superior officer. To obey his commands, on the other hand, would be a detriment to not only the ship and crew, but to the fleet as a whole. Can it be argued, one way or the other, that mutiny is the more honorable option?"

He smiles, a little bitterly. "I never did get to find out the answer for myself."

Re: Class Discussion

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"That's a tough one," Angel agreed. "In war and similar situations you need the structure of that chain of command to help organize everyone and keep people alive. But if the commander is a bad one how exactly do you deal with that?"

Re: Class Discussion

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"That's a tough one. When you sign up, you've got an obligation to obey your superior officer. It's not the man behind the position you're obeying, but the position itself. Same as you salute the rank, not the man. But sometimes there are situations when the man breaks his vow to fill the role appropriately and then you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. I guess you'd have to make the decision for yourself about whether or not you chose sticking to the rules or breaking them for the good of your men."