Assignment # 4 Part 3

I did put everything in my own words because I thought that the blog topics were common sense and I had a lot of strong feelings about each topic. The reading clarified anything I may have not understood. The easiest part of the assignment was answering the questions and having alot to say. The hardest part was that the assignment was extremely long and tedious.

I learned how to argue any side of an argument objectively, and it can help me to see other people's sides in ethical issues.

I believe I did an excellent job expressing my opinions on the topics of religion, feelings, and majority view. I put a lot of thinking into each blog and tried to apply the reading to the assignment.

Assignment # 4, Part Two

Role of the Majority View

1. Majority view is when the majority of the people in a population decide whether something is moral or immoral (Ruggiero, pg. 24). An example of this in real life would be the majority of Senators in the U.S. Government deciding to ban gay marriage. Although there may be a minority of Senators who voted in favor of permitting homosexual rights, the majority wins. Majority view is not always the best way to decide what is morally right. In the example of cannibalism, it most certainly is. However, the majority of plantation owners (including President Lincoln) believed that slavery was just fine when now it is seen as an inhumane and cruel practice.

2.Conclusion: Majority view is a reliable basis for ethical decision making.

Premises:

(1) It shows what the masses believe in and sets the norm.

(2) The majority view is well informed about societal issues.

(3) People are intelligent enough to judge what is morally acceptable.

Conclusion: Majority view is not a reliable basis for ethical decision making.

(1) The majority can be ridden with biases and prejudice.

(2) Authority figures can manipulate the masses to perform immoral deeds such as in the Holocaust.

(3) Different cultures have different views about morality.

The Role of Feelings

1. Feelings are what each individual desires and what he or she deems to be morally right and virtuous.  Feelings are thoughts that people have based on experiences and how they were raised. They may also determine different morals based on religious standing. It is immoral to be homosexual for a strong Christian, but an agnostic may consider homosexuality to be moral as long as the person is kind. Feelings are a way of communicating and they make up each individual person. Feelings about different acts also create sanctions and laws. Most people find it morally wrong to flash people, and thus it is a sex crime.

2. Conclusion: Feelings are a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.

Premises:

(1) Feelings are the basis for most societal norms which influence law-makers and create sanctions.

(2) Strong and passionate feelings can help create change.

(3) Staying true to your morals should guide your own individual decision-making.

Conclusion: Feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.

Premises:

(1) People can have immoral desires and feelings.

(2) Feelings are biased and subjective.

(3) Feelings differ between individuals and cultures.

Blog Assignment # 4 Part 1

1. Religion has  served as a basis for morality for many years, and for many people provides a foundation for morals and virtues. However, one does not have to have religious to be considered moral; an atheistic person can be as moral as a Baptist. The opposite is also true; just because someone is religious does not make them moral. The priest scandals in the Catholic church serve as a great example of this, as well as Christians condemning other non-Christians which is not "loving thy neighbor".  Thus, religion can provide a basis for morality and has served as the reasoning behind many laws in this country (I.E. the prohibition of gay marriage), but it is not necessary to have a connection between morality and religion.


2.This Jewish website gave the opposite perspective from my argument. From a Jewish standpoint, a person who is without God but kind-hearted is still missing a vital spiritual element. They believe that you cannot disconnect morals and religion, but that a person can still be a good human being without it. The website supported my argument that a person who commits their life to God, but does not treat others benevolently is giving "empty service".
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/145404/jewish/Ethics-Religion.htm

3. Conclusion: Religious beliefs and ethics are complementary to each other.

Premises:
(1)Religion has provided the basis for many morals and laws.
(2)Religious people would argue that without a higher being, one would be missing the spiritual component of a morally fulfilled life.
(3)The Bible has many lessons and morals that religious and non-religious people would consider ethical.

Conclusion: Religious beliefs and ethics are not complementary to each other.

Premises:
(1) Atheistic people are not always immoral.
(2) Religious people are not always moral.
(3) There is a danger of intolerance if religion was the only basis for ethics.
(4) There are several different religions which would make it difficult to choose which one as an ethical foundation.

Blog Assignment # 2

1. Were the questions on the Moral Sense Test difficult to answer (psychologically, emotionally, conceptually, technically, etc.)? Why or why not? Do you think your responses to the Moral Sense Test questions were consistent? Does this matter?

The questions were quite simple to answer. They were straightforward and easy to respond to. There was no question that really struck me as puzzling because every situation was extreme in either direction. My responses were very consistent and I think that it shows that I know the difference between right and wrong as I should.

2. Should people always follow the law? Why or why not? When might one be justified in NOT following the law? Give examples.

I believe people should not always follow the law because sometimes there are exceptions to the rule. Morality and the law should not be mixed up or considered the same at all. One example would be the laws against murder. People murder without consequence every day. (IE. Soldiers in Iraq, police officers in self defense or defense of others, and people stuck in the middle of the ocean with no way to survive aside from eating the weakest person out of the necessity to survive).

3. In your own words, explain what "social convention" means. Give examples.

A "social convention" is what is the norm of society. Some norms in our society are not murdering, stealing, or raping someone else. However, another social convention looked down upon,which may not necessarily be immoral (that is subjective) would be smoking cigarettes or abortion.

4. Should people always follow the conventions of their society? Why or why not? Give examples.

People should generally follow the conventions of society, but not always. If everyone conformed to the norms of society, we would still have segregation and women would still be housewives. It took brave people to stray from social conventions to make a better world.

5. Should people always follow their own principles? Why or why not? Give examples.

In this world, all you have is yourself to fall back on. If you don't stay true to yourself, then what else have you got to live for? Someone who holds strongly to their faith and then goes out and damns everyone who is not religious would be a hypocrite. A good Christian is someone who loves their neighbor, regardless of religious orientation.

6. Explain in your own words the difference between socially acceptable, legally acceptable, and morally acceptable.

Socially acceptable is what society collectively agrees is right. An example would be not smoking cigarettes. Although it is neither immoral or illegal to smoke cigarettes, it is still bad for you and society would generally agree that is does a lot of damage.

Legally acceptable would mean that the law permits it. It is legally acceptable to have an abortion in the first trimester. However, some would say it is immoral and not accepted by the majority of society.

Morally acceptable would be helping others without any type of gain. For example, yesterday I was at the gas station and a man's car died. I tried to help him jump it, but the battery was dead and he asked me to take him to the store to get a new battery and then back to his car. If I would turned him down, it would have been completely legal and probably more socially acceptable ( It might be a dangerous situation to ride with a stranger). However, my own upbringing and principles tells me to help others when the situation warrants it.

7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.

I feel that I deserve 25/25 because I really took the time to think hard about these questions and give the most truthful answers I could.

Blog Assignment # 1

1. How would you have explained the meaning of the term "ethics", before taking this class?

I thought of "ethics" to mean what is morally right and what follows the norms of societal standards.

2. What are some of your deepest held values?

My deepest values are staying true to myself, helping others without getting anything in return, honesty, and being the best person that I can be.

3. What are some main principles you try to live your life by?

I live my life by treating others how I would like to be treated, being honest even when there is nothing to gain, and working hard at everything I do.

4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?

In others, I look for someone who will do the right thing when noone else is watching. I like to surround myself with people who are trustworthy, loyal, and honest.

5. How were your values and principles developed?

My values and principles were developed in the church. I grew up in the church and my father was a deacon. My mother and father always stuck to the literal translation of the Bible, and instilled these principles in me. My mother taught me to treat women properly, be honest, and respect others.

6. How have your values and principles changed throughout your life so far?

In the past few years I have steered away from the hell and brimstone type of religious views. I have become more openminded about many issues, religious and political. I have still maintained my values of helping out people in need and being the most decent person possible.

7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.

I feel my work on this assignment deserves 20/25. Although it was late, ( Unfortunately, I am not the technical wiz that I wish I was and I had no idea this was a hybrid course) I still put forth my best effort and answered the questions introspectively and honestly.