Final Ethics Class, Friday 8-10am

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Over the course of this term, we've looked a lot at your personal moral stance on things. Today we're going to be looking more generally - on how morals are taught to children, often insidiously.

"A good medium for this is fairy tales. Every culture has them - stories that are told to children, bearing little moral gems to shape and guide. The first thing I want you to do is a select a fairy tale. Don't worry if it's not one I'll know, just pick one you're familiar with."

Comments

Analysing your responses

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Okay, now you've got your answer, let's analyse it. Put yourself into one of the following categories. Please remember that it's your justification, not your answer, that fits you into a category."

Tara passes around a handout, containing the following information:

Stage one - obedience. Individuals focus on the direct consequences that their actions will have for themselves. For example, Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will consequently be put in prison.

Stage two - self interest. Right behavior is defined by what is in one's own best interest. Interest in the needs of others are limited to "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." For example, Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.

Stage three - conformity: Individuals are receptive of approval or disapproval from other people. They try to be a good boy or good girl having learned that there is inherent value in doing so. For example, Heinz should steal the medicine, because his wife expects it.

Stafe four - law and order. It is important to obey the laws and social conventions because of its importance to maintaining a working society. Moral reasoning in stage four is thus beyond the need for approval exhibited in stage three, because the individual understands that society needs to transcend individual needs. For example, Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the law prohibits stealing.

Stage five - human rights. Persons have certain principles to which they may attach more value than laws, such as human rights or social justice. In this reasoning, actions are wrong if they violate these ethical principles. Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than dictums, and must be changed when necessary (provided there is agreement). For example, Heinz should steal the medicine, because everyone has a right to live, regardless of the law. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the scientist has a right to fair compensation.

Stage six - universal sentient ethics. Moral reasoning is based on the use of abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. One way to do this is by imagining oneself in everyone else's shoes, imagining what they would decide if they were doing the same. For example, Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because that violates the golden rule of honesty and respect.

"I want you to identify where you are now - and where you'd like to be. That's all. Hand in your answers and any thoughts that generates, and you've finished this course. Grades will be posted on Monday."

Re: Analysing your responses

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

I guess when you say "Life trumps everything" that kind of puts you at Stage 6, doesn't it? I swear I didn't cheat and look ahead.

And I'm okay with being there. It's kind of hard to put a pure ethical idiology into practical effect, but it does make you think twice before you act, so it's all good.

Re: Analysing your responses

[demonbelthazor]

"I guess I'd be in stage two," Bel said. "Self interest because he doesn't want his wife to die, so he steals the medicine."

Re: Analysing your responses

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"I fit in... Stage two, I guess." Kind of a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, she thought. She pulled out a page of notes with her previous week's homework. "I didn't really have a lot of time for flirting, so I'm not sure I did well on this assignment." A half-grin touched her lips. "But either way, it was nice having you, ma'am. Good luck on life."

Re: Analysing your responses

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Stage Four or Five. I'd like to be Stage Six, but I usually can't manage that level of detachment or lack of bias. And I slip down into
Stage Three on occasion, when I want my own way."

Re: Analysing your responses

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm in stage five and I'm pretty happy there," Veronica says.

Re: Analysing your responses

[absolutesnark]

"I fit in stage five and I'm perfectly fine with that," Piper said.

Re: Analysing your responses

[sensethevisions]

"hrm... I guess I fit someplace between stage five and stage 6."

Re: Analysing your responses

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

Buffy thinks about this and frowns. "I don't fit just into one stage."

Re: Analysing your responses

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Pick the closest one, then," Tara replies. "Or two, if you're torn between two."

Re: Analysing your responses

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

Buffy nods. "I'm in between stages five and six."

Re: Analysing your responses

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Stage two, after all, the world runs on enlightened self-interest."