Ethics [Thursday, January 19, 2012, 1st period]

[sith_happened]

When the class arrived, they would find their names on desks--Anakin had come up with a seating chart for the rest of the semester.

He was holding a giant mug of (decaf, Rory could tell if he was sneaking caffeine while she couldn't have any) coffee as he entered the room and gave his TAs papers to pass out, then went to the board and wrote out: "Utilitarianism: it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong," then turned to face his students. "Do you think this is true? If what gives the majority pleasure is watching Christians getting eaten by lions, or a four-day-marathon of that show about the orange people who live in New Jersey, does that make it right? What will protect the rights of the individual in a society ruled by utilitarianism--who in this example might be a Christian who enjoys PBS--or do those really matter?"

Comments

Re: Oooh, a hypothetical [1/19]

[ihavediabetes.livejournal.com]

"If we need a new hospital, it should definitely be built," said Stacey. Of course. She had a personal interest in this! "I won't even say the sports stadium brings in more money because have you seen the cost of hospital bills today? Keeping people healthy is more important."

And she personally saw doctors and hospitals way more than she watched sports, so meh, stadium.

Re: Oooh, a hypothetical [1/19]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"And athletes get injured a lot, too," Gabrielle added. Hey, considering what the Olympics in her time were like . . . And don't assume they were free of sponsorship, because Salmoneus existed.

"You could argue that the hospital benefits everyone more. I don't think that should even be a question."

Re: Oooh, a hypothetical [1/19]

[selfhelphero]

"Me neither. Pretty much everyone will have to go to a hospital at some point, even if it's for something minor," Billy said. "And not even for injuries or being sick. Don't sports fans have kids? They have to be born somewhere."

Re: Oooh, a hypothetical [1/19]

[cant-be-helped.livejournal.com]

"Isn't it a little ridiculous to say there are more sports fans than sick people?" Dorothy chimed in. "Not everyone gets ill at the same time. And doctors can help you so you don't ever get sick, too. I've never been to either, but it seems like building something like a stadium instead of a hospital is foolish."

Re: Oooh, a hypothetical [1/19]

[serial-quitter.livejournal.com]

"Not to mention that you may find sick people who are very good at maintaining a healthy appearance," Ryan quietly added. "There may be more sick people out there than anyone realizes."