The third contempory issue of the death penalty effected my principles in a way that challenged them. The pro death penalty argument was very compelling but I, personally, dont think as a society we can execute people justly. To be human is to erre. Society is not perfect, we dont get it right 100% of the time, and because of our prejudices, class division, and mistakes someone is bound to be falsely accused and executed. It is this margin of error that is just too great for us to overlook.
I need more experience and worldly insight to reasonably respond to these moral issues beyond a set of principles. I think the skill of objectivity would make me a more efficient ethical being because sometimes issues get muddled when we're too self involved.
I commented on http://ashantijones.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
BLOG 5
The second contemporary issue, which was abortion, caused me to first examine and then apply my principles. I tend to lean more towards John Locke, therefore, I had depended on his wisdom of "natural rights" to be applied to the issue of abortion. On the foundation that you have to be born to obtain these rights, I must conclude that abortion is indeed moral. These stipulations seem to be very staight forward and the compelling arguement of Warren and her 5 criteria for being human does support it, so, I see no need for adjustment.
I least argee with the arguments of Noonen because although he so easily can refute the shakey arguments of pro-choicers, I havent read anything from him that can stand up to Warren's 5 criteria that, to me, puts thing in perspective minus centement and decentcy that can cloud moral judgement.
I commented on : http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-5.html?showComment=1334770090819#c8616831924868977971
I least argee with the arguments of Noonen because although he so easily can refute the shakey arguments of pro-choicers, I havent read anything from him that can stand up to Warren's 5 criteria that, to me, puts thing in perspective minus centement and decentcy that can cloud moral judgement.
I commented on : http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-5.html?showComment=1334770090819#c8616831924868977971
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Blog 4
The first contempory issue strengthened my original principles. My prinicples, similar to Locke's about natural rights, actually made the cloning issue a little fuzzy. How can give rights to someone who wasn't born and it 100% of you? Are they property? Eventually I had to back to nature. There are natural clones exsisting now--identical twins! Do are they own each other? Is there some type of test that determines which was the original and which was the clone? No! They're seperate people firmly deserveing equal rights. Now that does mean I'm in support of cloning anyone--I'm not. However, the implications made in class about the use of clones as organ donors I think is unethical. We can't treat human beings as bags of organs nor is it perimissible under today's law to experiment in such a way on humans.
I believe Kass's argument pulled the most weight with me. Losing the family dynamic, incestuous nightmares, and the utter repugnace he speeks of about all of that was enough to win me over.
I believe Kass's argument pulled the most weight with me. Losing the family dynamic, incestuous nightmares, and the utter repugnace he speeks of about all of that was enough to win me over.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Social Principles
I agree with the social prinicples of Locke more than anything else because I agree with the principle of natural rights (life, liberty, property). In my last blog I identified my so called "trinity" (God, myself, and school) and there is some overlap here pertaining to the "myself" catagory. I feel as though I cannot properly take care of myself if my natural rights are violated. I also believe I have a right to worship God and the right to an education. With this perspective I can say that it is possible to live by both my personal principles as well the principles of Locke as well. I can do this by exceriseing my rights BUT also respect the rights of others in the process. For example, respecting other's believes that may differ from my own in society.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Personal Principles
What personal principles did you adhere to before entering this course and where did they come from? Were they taught to you? Did you develop them on your own? How have our readings and discussions impacted those principles? Of the principles covered which are you drawn to the most and why?
Upon entering this course I held several personal principles that I live by. I call it the trinity: God, myself, and school. The "trinity" was actually an invention of my older sister's. She is 25 years old, goes to Colombia, and is graduating with a Masters in Psychology in May. One day I asked her how she did it and she told me God comes first no matter what, then you have to take care of yourself (phsyically, emotionally etc.), and after that its SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL!
I believe in these principles. Personally, God is an infinite source of power, inspiration, motivion, strength, and inner peace. God is a never ending resource for me, and when I run out of steam he's always there. The self is also inportant. How are could you do anything if you dont take care of yourself??!! If you don't feel whole and centered, you're not fit to do much of anything. And finally school, in my family school is everything and I agree. A good education is fundamental to the career of my dreams (being a neurosurgeon), or any respectable career.
Our readings and disscussions have strengthed my principles on all three fronts. When it comes to God and our disscusion about the exisitence of Him in our quest to find the meaning of life has reinforced my believes because no one could produce a better explaination that God has lied down for us. We also discussed the self along with trying to define happiness. Some people said we as individuals know what makes us happy because we know ourselves. Some said it was God who is know that way to happiness. I believe it is a mixture of both. And finally, in order to be a philosopher and to contemplate (the ultimate virtue) you have to be educated. Socrates and Aristotle were both scholars and opened up schools during their lifetime, backing the third part of my trinity.
I was most drawn to the taoist principles because they support my idea that happiness is a temporary state and that you should focus more on contentment. I find a lot of people don't appriciate contentment. Greed, in my opinion is one of the biggist antagonist of ever peaceful contentment.
I commented on http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/ 's blog.
Upon entering this course I held several personal principles that I live by. I call it the trinity: God, myself, and school. The "trinity" was actually an invention of my older sister's. She is 25 years old, goes to Colombia, and is graduating with a Masters in Psychology in May. One day I asked her how she did it and she told me God comes first no matter what, then you have to take care of yourself (phsyically, emotionally etc.), and after that its SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL!
I believe in these principles. Personally, God is an infinite source of power, inspiration, motivion, strength, and inner peace. God is a never ending resource for me, and when I run out of steam he's always there. The self is also inportant. How are could you do anything if you dont take care of yourself??!! If you don't feel whole and centered, you're not fit to do much of anything. And finally school, in my family school is everything and I agree. A good education is fundamental to the career of my dreams (being a neurosurgeon), or any respectable career.
Our readings and disscussions have strengthed my principles on all three fronts. When it comes to God and our disscusion about the exisitence of Him in our quest to find the meaning of life has reinforced my believes because no one could produce a better explaination that God has lied down for us. We also discussed the self along with trying to define happiness. Some people said we as individuals know what makes us happy because we know ourselves. Some said it was God who is know that way to happiness. I believe it is a mixture of both. And finally, in order to be a philosopher and to contemplate (the ultimate virtue) you have to be educated. Socrates and Aristotle were both scholars and opened up schools during their lifetime, backing the third part of my trinity.
I was most drawn to the taoist principles because they support my idea that happiness is a temporary state and that you should focus more on contentment. I find a lot of people don't appriciate contentment. Greed, in my opinion is one of the biggist antagonist of ever peaceful contentment.
I commented on http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/ 's blog.
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