Blog assignment #4

PART 1


1. Paragraph: explain in your own words what the relationship is between religion and ethics.


The relationship between religion and ethics is a complex relationship that really challenges people to argue moral situations from their particular interpretation. Since no two religions believe in the same teachings and do not take the same stance on moral issues, ethical solutions are necessary to giving some kind of reason to why people feel the way they do. Most would like to say that they believe they are right because they have faith and God says that they should feel that way. In reality it is important to make your argument reasonable to persuade someone that may not have the same beliefs that you do. Simply just saying that is what God wants you to believe will not work. People can interpret the same religious teachings in a different way, but the way that you convince someone that your perspective is correct is to use religious ethics.




2. Paragraph & Link: Find one online resources related to this topic—not Wikipedia. Explain in a brief paragraph what you learned about this topic through the resource you found; include the link at the end of your paragraph.



The article I found discussed the idea of keeping patients alive at a hospital by means of a feeding tube. One thing I learned from the article is how ethical issues when seen in a religious view point, the solutions people come up with can be much different. Some would say that the feeding tube is "treating others as you would like to be treated". Others could say that if you are going to complete your life the way God intended, then you shouldn't use a feeding tube to keep someone from dying. The way that issues like this should be resolved would be to use reasons such as pain and suffering to discus these ethical question, rather than referring to passages in the bible that people could debate on their true meaning.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-23-2009/end-of-life-dilemmas/2029/



3. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument does not break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:



Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not ethics and religious beliefs are complementary.

Conclusion: Ethics and religious beliefs are complementary.

Premises:

1) People use religious beliefs to decide on ethical questions.

2) What would Jesus do?

3) People often look to a higher power to decide what is wrong and right.



PART 2

The Role of the Majority View

1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what a Majority View is. Cite your sources

The majority view is basically a statistical way of looking for solutions from the public. The majority would have to be at least 51% of the general public to be a perfect source of finding out how people really feel about a issue. The fact of the matter is that it is impossible to get an opinion from 51% of the country, so typically their will be a small group that is questioned to find how people feel about issues. Their are many flaws when dealing with the majority view. Their isn't any real reasoning for how someone feels the way they do, everyone is just a number on one side or the other. In a perfect world the majority view would get every one's opinion, and decide all matters with everyone getting a equal say in the matter.

Source : Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues, Seventh Edition. pg. 22-24.

2. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not the Majority View is a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Conclusion: Majority View is not a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Premises:
1) Not everyone has the same amount of knowledge to answer one way or the other.
2)Majority View is based on numbers and not reasoning.
3) It is impossible to ask 100% of people to answer all issues.

The Role of Feelings



1. Paragraph: Explain in your own words what feelings are. Cite your sources.

Feelings are a person's mindset of what is right and a reaction to those situations. People do things because they feel that what they are doing is morally right. Feelings differ from person to person, and that is why feelings cannot be how we morally judge situations. People develop feelings over time that effect the way they see ethical situations, and feelings make it hard to tell people that what they are doing is wrong.

2. Argument: Compose a short argument, in “argument elements” form. I’ll provide the arguable issue; you provide the rest. Make sure each of your premises is a complete sentence, and that your argument doesn’t break any of the rules listed in the first chapter of the Rulebook for Arguments:

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not our feelings are a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Conclusion: Feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision-making.
Premises:
1)Feelings vary from person to person.
2) There are too many things that affect feelings, they aren't always consistent.
3) What people prefer to do is not always the ethical solution.

PART 3


The ability to express yourself in your own words is essential in this class. Did you put everything in your own words this time?

Yes, I did put everything into my own words. I really tried to base my answers on what I had read, and not look back into the reading as I answered the questions.

What was easiest / hardest about this assignment?

The hardest part of the assignment was trying to evaluate weather religion and ethics are complementary. It took some thinking and I had to read that part of the chapter a few times to come up with my answer. The easiest part of the assignment was making a argument for majority view. Majority view is always around us in advertisement and if advertisement can tell us anything, it is that not everything is as good as it looks.

How will you apply what you learned through this assignment to your everyday life?

The main thing that I will apply will be a more accurate description for feeling. I always thought of feelings as just describing what kind of mood a person is in. Also, really taking a deeper look into the stance that my church takes on ethical issues and what kind of reasoning is used.

How well do you think you did on this assignment? Explain.

I think I did well on this assignment. I would say a 9 out of 10. I think I understood all of the questions being asked, and I tried to answer them as thoughtfully as I could.

Blog Assignment 3

1. Explain what “to give an argument” means in this book.

To give an argument based on the book, you need to have a series of examples that defend or back up your reasoning. The evidence you give should be in support of your own conclusion. Basically, an argument is to support your own personal view and present your reasoning to others in a way that they can decide their viewpoint on their own. (second paragraph, pg. xi)

2. What are the reasons Weston gives in support of his claim, “arguments are essential”?

Weston basically says that arguments are essential because they allow us to decide which views are better than others. By having arguments you can filter out the weaker view point, and see that not all conclusions have the same amount of support in reason. Basically arguments are essential because they allow us to grade viewpoints, and not just judge based on a single statement. Another reason that arguments are essential is that if you convince someone that your view is the right view then they will change themselves according to their new outlook.

3. Explain why many students tend to “write an essay, but not an argument”.

The book says that the main problem is that students write a statement about their views, but fail to give any real reasoning to why their view is the right one. By not giving any reasoning the students aren't writing a argument but rather just a essay. The book explains that most of what students are thought in schools in uncontroversial materials, and topics that only need well known facts to write reports on. So, the problem arises when you only write down facts, and then are asked to argue a kind of "grey area" topic. The students have trouble finding reasoning other than they just think a certain view is the correct view.

4. Construct two short arguments (one "for" and one "against") as modeled in the Week 3 Assignment section in Blackboard. Put each one in "elements form".

FOR
Arguable issue: Does participation in extracurricular activities lead to students doing better in school, and stay out of trouble?
Conclusion: Yes, students that are in extracurricular activities are less likely to get into trouble, and do better in school.
Premises:
1) Students that participate in activities are more likely to spend more time on out of class work.
2) Students that participate in school activities have less time to waste, and are less likely to get into trouble.
3) Students have something to lose when they don't do well in school.

AGAINST
Arguable issue: Whether or not we are too dependant on computers in school.
Conclusion: Computers are the new technology and should pass up the old fashion ways of finding information.
Premises:
1) The computer is the better way of getting vast amounts of information, and
2) They save time during research, and
3) They save money when are available for e-books rather than buying a huge text book

6. Review the three rules in the appendix named, “Definitions”. In your own words, discuss how you took these rules into consideration as you constructed your arguments.

D1: Dictionaries can be a great tool providing you with different meanings for the same word, or providing multiple ways you could interpret the a single word. By using a dictionary I was able to use the words "extra-curricular" to mean anything outside of a curricular setting. Extracurricular can mean participation in sports, the marching band, or in theater. Students in each of these areas can have an advantage over students that do none of the above.

D2: When your view point can be contested because the term you used, you can use a dictionary to generalize your meaning to show that any way you look at it your view point is correct. By stating that students have less time after school to waste doing other things, I was referring to all extracurricular activities in general. By doing this their wasn't any reason to think that time spent out of school is better than time spent during school-led activities.

D3: Definitions can't be the only source for your reasoning. I didn't just give reasons why the computer is just as good as a library full of information. I also explain other reasons why the computer can be shown as a better financial investment, as well as a time saver. If I were to just say that computers are a vast source of information, someone could say that getting 10,000 books is also a vast source of information that people have been relying on for hundreds of years. Showing multiple viewpoints on your topic keeps you from having to rely on the definition of your topic.

7. Good posts demonstrate:
Sincere reflection, effort, and analysis
Answers that are substantial (at least one large paragraph each)
Consistent mention, citation, and integration of the assigned readings (explained in YOUR own words, though)
Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Correctly titled posts!
How many points do you honestly feel your post this week deserves? Justify your answer.

I think I deserve a 22-25 on this weeks blog assignment. I answered the questions as thoughtfully and the way I interpreted the readings. All my answers were at least a paragraph. Also, I titled my blog post!

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?

I didn't think that the questions on the Moral Sense Test were difficult to answer. However, the different responses for the same scenario made it difficult to just quickly read the concept of each question. I thought that overall my responses stayed consistent. Some scenarios for example were not as much a religious issue, but a personal decision that you should know right from wrong.

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

I think it is impossible for anyone to always follow the law. For the most part everyone should follow the law, but every day I break the speed limit law. It could be justified to break the law when you are rushing someone to the hospital and there isn't any time to wait on an ambulance.

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

A social convention is an "unwritten" norm. It is something that has become accustom to do in a social setting, like when you meet someone you usually shake their hand. Another example would be when you make eye contact with someone in public you would usually say "hi", or smile at them.

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

I usually follow the social conventions of our society. On the other hand, there are many people that get around just find following their own conventions. I would think that a time that you would want to follow the social conventions would be if you were in a foreign nation, and taking the time to know their customs would be helpful. Some things that are normal in the U.S. can be a sign of disrespect somewhere else.

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

I think it is important for people to follow what they believe is right, or what they have been taught is right or wrong. It is important to have people with all different beliefs and practices. It's what keeps us well rounded, and keeps everyone from being narrow-minded.

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

When comparing socially acceptable, the main difference would be that their aren't any laws or formal print about how to act in a social scene. There also aren't really any moral issues with how you should act in a social setting, but if their are then usually the person will have a substitute action or saying. Legally acceptable usually works along side with a persons moral values. When the decisions aren't the same, people will usually go with their moral stance.

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

I think I deserve a 23-25, because I answered the questions fully and to the best of my ability.

Blog Assignment #1

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

I would explain the term ethics as doing what is right and wrong in your opinion. Ethics is your view point on every situation that comes up, and what you think is ethical will determine what action or side you take. Ethics are learned, and are taught by people that you respect and trust what they are doing is right.

2. What are some of your deepest held values?

The value that I hold the deepest is trust. If someone can put their trust in you, then other values begin to arise like respect. Another value that I hold deeply is family, and family works along with trust because my family is where I can always put my trust and ask for advice.

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

Some main principles that I try to live by include being someone that people enjoy being around, not take life to seriously, and to leave the world knowing that I lived a little.

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

An important moral quality I look for in others is their awareness of a higher power, not necessarily religion, but that they know that each person is here for a purpose. Another moral value is that a person looks to not let others down, and will do anything to make sure they don't fail at something.

5. How were your values and principles developed?

My values and principles where developed overtime starting out when I was young by my parents, and I was very close to my grandpa who taught me quite a bit about what was wrong and right. Also, I was taught strict personal values by going to private school for 10 years. My values have changed a little as I grew older learning by kind of a trial and error method.

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

So far I would say that the biggest value that has changed as of late for me is education. In the past I just always knew that I would end up going to college, and then going to get a job. I didn't value how much effort it took to become successful in school. Overall my core values have stayed the same, but I can say that today I look at the overall picture in life and don't let small things get me down.

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

I believe I deserve a 25, because I answered all the questions to the best of my knowledge about ethics.