Day two test… Ethics pre-test

Yesterday’s submission focused on human nature.  You received both a grade and basic feedback on your submission [check family access].  Today, your job is as follows:

1. Recognize that you’re continuing the discussion about how people are when you address the question: “How do people know right from wrong?”.  Also, you should recognize that the next step will be “Given that human nature is like “X” and the ideal we are trying to reach is known by Y, we need to help get people to that ideal by doing Z.”
2. Just to be clear, I’m not giving you sub-questions because a few students felt that they had done a quality job if they merely had an answer for each.  With that in mind…
3. Realize that, in your answer, you will need to include:
   1. Clear and factually true (not made up) examples from your experience that have helped form your opinion [avoid hypotheticals!]
   2. Recognition of views others may hold (concession statements) and an appropriate counter-argument [with support].
4. Your submission is due in paper form by the end of class on 4/30.  If you have time to work after your submitting your work, please go back and revise yesterday’s entry.

The work begins today for the Manifesto…

In order to get started on your project, start today, April 29th by addressing the following in an expository essay:

1. How are human beings in the ‘state of nature?’ What is human nature?
   1. Do people make moral decisions?  Do they naturally care for others?
   2. Can they think beyond self-interest?
   3. Do people need to be regulated?  Why?
   4. What ends are you hoping to achieve through regulation?

In your response, use specific examples both from your experience and from current events that would suggest you are accurate in your assertions.  In addition, it is worthwhile to use the arguments of philosophers to bolster your opinions.

A simple rubric for today’s work would include the following.  Students should:

• formulate original ideas
• research and acknowledge the ideas of others by quoting their insights
  • clearly identifying the source of expert opinions (hyperlink!)
• clearly identifying the differences between your ideas and the ideas of others
• including examples from personal experience to support your view
• include specific ‘expert’ views that disagree with your own (concession statement)
  • refute their arguments in ways that suggest the legitimacy of your views (counter-argument)

Though obviously a first draft, the product of your work today should be saved in digital form, submitted during class in paper form, and of a high calibre.  Your end product will be worth 10 points of daily work [for submission] and 10 points in the Test/Quiz category for your inclusion and labelling of the above bulleted items.

an exploration of capitalism…

Read the linked documents that represent two views on the topic of Capitalism.  Recall that, as we explore the topic, we will be considering many related views.  Do not assume that these views are conflicting, but consider instead their contributions to the complexity of the discussion.  As we consider the morality of Capitalism, there are many views and assumptions to consider.  Please do the following Thursday in class:

• Read each of the two documents
• Identify [either through critical reading or paraphrasing] the central thesis of each argument
• Consider [either in Critical Reading or in paragraph form] both the assumptions and the implications of each piece
• and then react/respond to each author as if he were writing to today’s society
• Write a few sentences explaining your response/reaction to the author’s main point
• Then, discuss your analysis with other students to see if they see things the same way

Be sure to date your work and recognize that it will go in your Ethics Journal.

Wednesday in class I assigned outside research…

Those of you who were absent today missed the opportunity to share the document you’ve researched regarding capitalism.  You should find, print, read, and mark the document by identifying important passages, recognizing the central thesis, reacting to the author’s assumptions and connecting the ideas to prior learning. This document will then go into your ethics journal.

In addition, I distributed an article that you’ll need to read for Friday.  Please find it here in the HBR (Harvard Business Review – not to be confused with HVR).  Click on the link above to print and then mark the document for consumption.  Remember to read it PRIOR to class on Friday.  See you then.