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

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

Buffy nods. "Okay, we can start with the very beginning. Youngest daughter makes what seems to be a simple request of her poor father. While her sisters are clamoring for jewels and things, all Bella asks for is a simple rose. On the way back home, the merchant father sees a rose garden and cuts off a single rose...which pisses off the Beast because he took without asking. Because of this, he either has to stay there, or agree to return with his youngest daughter to take his place."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"So just that much," Tara gently interjects. "What are the ethical issues or moral lessons in the story so far?""

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

Buffy bites her bottom lip for a second. "Even the smallest action can cause a reaction. The merchant didn't think anyone would care if he took the rose for his daughter. However, the Beast that owned the roses didn'y feel the same way."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Like ripples in a pond," Tara nods. "Alright. Go on."

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

"So, the father goes home and at first doesn't tell hi daughters what has happened, but Bella isn't put off and when he tells her what happened, Bella decides that she will take her father's place. Bella wants to protect her father and since the rose was for her, she will take the punishment from the Beast." Buffy frowns. "Bella doesn't know what to expect, or even if she'll live through this, but she is determined to pay the penalty."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"So the child protects the parent," Tara repeats. "As a lesson for children, how do you feel about that?"

[forlornslayer.livejournal.com]

Buffy frowns slightly. "I think I would have done the same if it had been my mom, since I had been the one to ask for the flower in the first place."