Ethics, Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 2nd period

[sith_happened]

The desks had been shoved to either side of the room and a large white strip of tape had been placed down the center. Looked like it was an interactive class activity today, kids!

"Please line up along the line," Anakin said, then waited for the students to comply before continuing. "There's a philosopher from this world named John Rawls who believes that most principles of justice are things everyone would accept and agree to from a fair position. In Fandom especially, we are coming from a variety of cultures and traditions to examine ethical dilemmas, and so the idea of a 'fair position' is a bit of a moving target. The choice that might be right for you might be completely contrary to my own life experiences, but that will not make your point of view less valid."

"And so, what is a fair position?" Obi-Wan said. "This philosopher held his own ideas: he believed in a 'veil of ignorance' we had to assume, to forget the privileges and the responsibilities of our place in history." He glanced towards Anakin. "We cannot - nor would it be ethical if we could - simply put this veil on you, but we can knock you all down to the same level, so to speak."

He gestured towards the line on the floor.

"This is our veil; it is where we all begin, before circumstance steps in. Whatever your position in life - wealth, knowledge, midichlorian levels..." Hi, Anakin, "On this line, you have none. And then we begin our count."

Anakin rolled his eyes at the midichlorians and added, "Or your age or Inner Rim accent. We'll ask ten questions, see where you end up ahead or behind the line, and then we'll discuss how your perception on the world affects your reactions to things."

Like how being a slave for almost a decade could leave you with a giant, giant chip on your shoulder, for instance.

Obi-Wan looked faintly amused. "Perhaps we should join them," he said.

Anakin arched up an eyebrow. "I'm up for it if you are."

"It would be setting a good example."

And with that, Obi-Wan strode forward until he was standing on the line.

Comments

Sign in [1/27]

[sith_happened]

In a line!

Re: Sign in [1/27]

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

Ronan Lynch

Listen to the lecture

[sith_happened]

Or wonder what on earth is going on this week.

Re: Listen to the lecture

[gavegoodface]

Face had a pretty good idea which side of the line was going to end up on.

Exercise in Privilege!

[sith_happened]

Please hold for the OCD...

Question 1

[sith_happened]

"If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, magical abilities, mutations, gender, or sexual orientation, take one step back."

Question 2

[sith_happened]

"If you ever tried to change you appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or ridiculed, take one step back."

Question 3

[sith_happened]

"If you were ever offered a good job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward. Inheriting a country or another hereditary title counts here."

Question 4

[sith_happened]

"If your parents told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward."

Question 5

[sith_happened]

"If you were raised in an area where there was prostitution, drug activity, etc. take one step back."

Question 6

[sith_happened]

"If there were more than 50 books or the technological equivalent in your house when you grew up, take one step forward."

Question 7

[sith_happened]

"If you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry because there was not enough money to buy food when you were growing up, take one step back."

Question 8

[sith_happened]

"If one of your parents or guardians was unemployed, laid off, or not being paid at all for their work, take one step back."

Question 9

[sith_happened]

"If you had servants in your house, take one step forward. If your family were the servants in a house, take a step back."

Question 10

[sith_happened]

"If, before coming to Fandom, you'd taken a vacation to a foreign country or planet, take one step forward."

All done! Where are you?

[sith_happened]

How far ahead or behind the line?

Discussion Question!

[sith_happened]

"Do you feel privileged here? At home? Are the two places drastically different in standards?"

Re: Discussion Question!

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

"I know I'm privileged," Ronan said, shrugging. "I don't feel it but I know I am."

Re: Discussion Question!

[notacokeperson.livejournal.com]

"Seconding the whole 'I don't feel privileged' thing, even though I definitely am," Karina said, shrugging slightly. "Which is obviously because I've always been this way, so it doesn't feel special to me, even though I know a lot of people have it way worse."

Re: Discussion Question!

[nolizardhere]

"I know that by this world's standards I'm very privileged," Andros said slowly, picking his way through his thoughts and trying to figure out how to phrase them. "I come from a technologically advanced society and we weren't lacking for anything. At home I was considered privileged because of, um, a position I held, and now I would...not really be considered privileged at all, because I'm a refugee from an active war zone." So, yeah.

Re: Discussion Question!

[spin_kick_snap]

"According to the exercise, I'm not," Kathy said with a shrug that tried just a liiiittle too hard to be casual. "But it's the kind of lack of privilege that doesn't affect me much? And is balanced out in other ways, I think. At least...kinda-sorta."

That was a helpful response Kathy.

Re: Discussion Question!

[pasunereveuse.livejournal.com]

"I feel so much more privileged here than I do at home," Celia offered quietly, "but at home, I know I'm much better off than I could be. Socially, I'm barred from plenty of places because my father and I aren't considered reputable people, and there's so much that I want to do but I'm...restricted against, either on a large social scale or a smaller more...familial scale." She shrugged a shoulder, awkwardly. "Not to cry 'poor little rich girl' too much, because I know I've been lucky."

Re: Discussion Question!

[gavegoodface]

"I'm a human under the Empire," Face said with a shrug. "I was born on one of the nicer Core Worlds and came here from Lorrd, which the Outer Rim goes it's hardly Ryloth or Tattooine. I have enough earnings in trust that if I'm not stupid with spending I don't need to worry about credits. I mightn't be right at the top, but there are a lot of worse places I could be."

Talk to the teachers!

[sith_happened]

That's what they're paid the big bucks for!

Re: Talk to the teachers!

[saddeserthermit]

After the exercise, Obi-Wan settled down. He was only just returned from Tatooine, and the abrupt switch in weather had gotten to him perhaps more than he'd admit.

OOC

[sith_happened]

Dutchface is going to be sporadically at the computer today, but here, have one of our favorite lessons!