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 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."

Re: Question 7

[saddeserthermit]

Not for that reason, no. Obi-Wan didn't move.

Re: Question 7

[sith_happened]

...and there went his step forward. Anakin took another step back, eyes carefully focused on the wall in front of him.

Re: Question 7

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

Ronan stayed still. He wasn't getting much exercise in this class today.

Re: Question 7

[notacokeperson.livejournal.com]

Karina stayed where she was. That had never, ever been an issue in her life.

Re: Question 7

[nolizardhere]

Andros had had access to a synthetron, so this was something that was never going to happen. Not having time to get to one of those, especially during the attacks, was another story, but...yeah, he was staying put again.

Re: Question 7

[spin_kick_snap]

That, fortunately, had never been a worry. Even during tough times, Kathy had grown up in a neighborhood that banded together and made sure everyone had a little something. She stayed put.

Re: Question 7

[gavegoodface]

Face stayed right where he was.

Re: Question 7

[pasunereveuse.livejournal.com]

Celia hesitated on one foot for a moment before reconsidering and staying put. There was always enough food -- the question had always been whether she was permitted to have it. They weren't poor. They were -- restricted.

Re: Question 7

[princessarcasm]

This one wasn't an issue for Amy. She stayed where she was.

Re: Question 7

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

Once again, a non-issue. Elsa remained where she was standing, one step forward.

Re: Question 7

[not_a_moonie]

And again Alana stayed where she was, thank the gods. She looked at her shoes, embarrassed for the people who had to step back.

Re: Question 7

[sarcastic-vamp.livejournal.com]

Did "because I really didn't want to kill that person" count as a reason? Carmilla was going to go with it and took a step back.

Re: Question 7

[bjornstjarna.livejournal.com]

And another step back, for Soren.

Re: Question 7

[beautifulsenshi.livejournal.com]

Minako stayed right where she was. While money was tight sometimes, she'd never gone hungry as a result.

Re: Question 7

[wildandbrave]

Cosette . . . yes, definitely took another step back this time.

Re: Question 7

[notamascot]

Another step back. Days like that were more common than days when they'd had anywhere close to enough food.

Re: Question 7

[thegc161kid.livejournal.com]

Alex stayed where she was, her parents had always made sure that there was food on the table so she'd never had to skip a meal before.

Re: Question 7

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

Mother's flock had never let their leader go hungry. Times had been tough once Mother was arrested, but Grace knew better than anyone how to stretch what little she had. She would have cut her own arms off before letting little Eleanor miss a meal.

Eleanor stayed put, remembering to be grateful for this, too.

Re: Question 7

[justwantedfriends]

Aaaand now Kira felt bad about staying still. Thanks, teachers.