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

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."

Re: Question 3

[saddeserthermit]

Well, this was also a no. Obi-Wan stayed put.

Re: Question 3

[sith_happened]

Anakin snorted and stayed put.

Re: Question 3

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

Declan tended to get the job offers. People stayed away from the middle Lynch son so he stayed where he was.

Re: Question 3

[notacokeperson.livejournal.com]

Karina stayed where she was.

Everything she had, job-wise, was due to her own hard work.

Re: Question 3

[nolizardhere]

Andros wasn't a legacy Ranger, so once again he stayed put.

Re: Question 3

[spin_kick_snap]

Here, Kathy stayed put. That was...something?

Re: Question 3

[gavegoodface]

Acting was all about the networking, even when the Imperial propaganda department was involved. Face lifted his foot to take a step and paused. "Recommendations from people you've worked with before counts as friends, right?" he checked.

Re: Question 3

[sith_happened]

"Right," Anakin confirmed.

Re: Question 3

[gavegoodface]

Face nodded and finished taking that step forward.

Re: Question 3

[pasunereveuse.livejournal.com]

Celia quietly stayed in place, idly twisting her scarred finger for a moment.

They had said a good job. And the challenge was neither good, nor a job. And Prospero the Enchanter would someday land her a stage position, she was sure, but that day had yet to come.

Re: Question 3

[sarcastic-vamp.livejournal.com]

Carmilla wavered. Technically, she would've been a countess. But that had been taken away from her. In fact, Mother had chosen her because of her noble blood, and that was kind of the opposite of a good job. She stayed put.

Re: Question 3

[princessarcasm]

Amy stayed put. By now she was pretty sure that if her mother or Bruce had any job opportunities available, she'd give them to Lauren.

Re: Question 3

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

Aaand that was a step forward again. Back on the line with the little Arendelle princess.

Re: Question 3

[not_a_moonie]

Alana stayed exactly where she was. Her dad had a good job, but not that good -- and he wasn't inclined to use it to help her, anyhow.

Re: Question 3

[bjornstjarna.livejournal.com]

Soren frowned briefly as he considered, but then decided that serving Baldur most definitely counted, and so took a step forward.

Re: Question 3

[beautifulsenshi.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. Um. Minako was a senshi because she'd inherited it. From herself, in a past life. She was the princess of Venus for the same reason. And she'd been Venus previously because she was the incarnation of the goddess. So, a hereditary title, but one that wasn't exactly a 'good' job. An honorable job, yes, but it had gotten her killed once, and as much as she loved it, it was extremely dangerous. Talk about a headache.

In the end, she stayed where she was. Princess Venus had earned her rank as the leader of the Sailor Senshi, and that hard work was Minako's hard work too.

Re: Question 3

[wildandbrave]

And Cosette would just stand right here.

Re: Question 3

[notamascot]

This actually happened? Kaylin stayed where she was.

Re: Question 3

[thegc161kid.livejournal.com]

Alex stayed put, since she hadn't even had a job yet at this stage so the question didn't apply to her

Re: Question 3

[justwantedfriends]

Kira hadn't been offered a job yet, so she stayed right where she was.

Re: Question 3

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

Being forcibly turned into the Messiah was not exactly a job offer. Eleanor stayed put, one step behind the line.