Blog Assignment# 6

QUESTION #1: If an action that is praised in one culture may be condemned in another, would it be correct to say that all moral values are relative to the culture they are found in?
Moral values cannot be determined by one culture. Throughout the world there are cultures that partake in actions that we may find gruesome or distasteful. Likewise we perform acts that other cultures may find extremely disrespectful or even evil. While at heart humans may all enjoy the same emotions, what they feel responsible for, like religious duties, will determine their values and moral judgement. The Aztecs enjoyed pleasing their gods, and thus gave human sacrifices in the most gory of ways. Today Americans enjoy pleasing the higher power, but would never dream of human sacrifice, for the most part.In short moral values can easily change over borders, and within cultures, mostly because different groups have different beliefs and every group is inclined to support their own beliefs. Hmm, I suppose their is a commonality after all.


ANSWER 1B:

P: Cultural beliefs vary between cultures.
P: Moral values stem from the pericular belief set of that culture.


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C: Therefore, it is correct to say that all moral values are relative to the culture they are found in.



QUESTION #2: Isn’t it a mark of ignorance to pass judgments on other cultures or to claim that one culture is better than another?
Each culture will have a bias that it's way is superior. If it did not, then it would not have a very strong following. To convince another that your way is the best is not ignorant if you are also open to new ideas. The mark of ignorance appears when you pass judgement on another culture. Of course this is just opinion but, to be open minded is to be truly wise and fair. To say that others are stupid orsub human because of cultural beliefs is ignorant. To say that you do not believe what they are doing is right, but respect their boundaries and culture anyway is wise.

ANSWER 2B:

P: Cultures moral values vary.

P: Respect for others is a mark of wisdom.

P: it is disrespectful to pass judgement on cultures without appreciating that they are doing what they believe is right.

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C: Therefore, it is a mark of ignorance to pass judgments on other cultures (or therefore it is NOT a mark of ignorance to pass…)

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PART TWO
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In ancient Sparta unfit babies were left to die. In today's world this is considered inhuman. We value life, and we like children. It is believed that all persons deserve a chance to live. This belief is so strong that many still have fiery debates as to when life begins, so we may determine what is a right choice in the abortion situation. In that day and age however, it was the way things were. In my opinion it is wrong, and i wouldn't want to leave a baby on a cliff, but i respect their culture and beliefs.

Arguable issue: Is it wrong to leave a baby on a cliff to die?

P: Children are innocent.

P:Innocent do not deserve to suffer, or die. (Value of human life)

C: It is wrong to leave an innocent child to die, on a cliff especially.

Blog assignment numero 3

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

To give an argument is a way to prove one's point, or idea, by way of presenting relevant reasons and or premises. Using a combination of common knowledge, statistics and facts to form a relevant and reasonable conclusion. Not a verbal fist fight.

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

Arguments are essential because they help us find logical conclusions to life's many problems. The argument can show us the strengths of beliefs such as, gravity is impartial, and the weaknesses in beliefs like, the earth is flat. Without arguments we would have no way to reach the most logical conclusion and would thus be thrust into a world of flimsy ideas and many irregularities.

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

Most students write essays because that is what they know. The papers that were written in High school were linear, and simply regurgitated facts learned and studied upon. The argument requires substantial reasons to prove a point, or support a belief. It is this that students seem to have difficulty with, as they are just used to writing a different way.

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 riding a bicycle at night"

-Should one ride a bicycle at night?
-Yes one should ride a bicycle at night.
-one should ride a bicycle at night because
it is cool to be out at night.
it is fun to dodge cars.
it is cool to have a little headlight.

"Against riding a bicycle at night"

-Should one ride a bicycle at night?
- No one should not ride a bicycle at night.
-One should not ride a bicycle at night because
It is pointless, you should stay home.
it is hard to see.
it is easy to die, by way of not dodging the cars.
5. Review the seven rules in chapter one. Briefly discuss how your argument demonstrates that each rule was applied, in the construction of your arguments above.

The premises and conclusion were quite explicitly seperated in the argument as the arguments e
assumed a sort of list form.
The arguments followed a logical progression, moving from conclusion to premises, and keeping the premises together.
The premises in my arguments are fairly strong, subject to one's opinion of what is fun at times , but mostly true.
My arguments are concise and direct. Not drawn out at all, and not too vague.
My arguments are not too wordy, they are simply executed and are not loaded down with big words.
The aruments use consistent language i suppose. in my opinion they are a bit too simple to fully incorporate the rule of consistent language.
My arguments use terms that have consistent meanings, and are easy to understand.


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.

The first rule was to be specific with definitions, create concise defintinions for broad terms. I considered this when I elaborated on how one would die. i could take the rule into more consideration and define cool as well.

I really dont have any debatable terms, besides cool. cool could be contested in a few ways, like who defines cool, what is cool and why does cool matter. This could be solved if one chose a new term or could determine what is generally cool, what is not cool and if i could specify the difference.

I did not let my terms and definitions of those terms prove my point completely. Though they aided, they did not prove my point on their own. i also used the facts behind the definitions to help prove my conclusions.

Blog Assignment #1

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

I would have explained ethics as a detailed look into the morality of different situations and events.This view based purely on what i know of ethics comitees and the things they discuss.
2. What are some of your deepest held values?

I believe that freedom is a right to all people. I also believe that each individual person should be responsible for making their own decisions and facing the consequences that follow. It is also important that i am honest not only to others but myself as well. Nothing is worse than lying to yourself, because then you have no one to trust at all for sure.

3. What are some main principles you try to live your life by?
I mainly try to treat everyone fairly and in a manner that i would like to be treated. The golden rule is one of the best rules ever. I also like to have a good time no matter the stuation. Keeping an upbeat spirit when everyone is down helps make everyone happier. Except in certain situations of course.

4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?
Honesty and a good moral sense. I find those that seem to just be self motivated to the point where they harm others or liars extremely distasteful. Mostly, people who are generally considered reliable good people.

5. How were your values and principles developed?
I would have to say that it was all down to how i was raised. My family always taught me that honesty , responsibility and just being a good person. are some of the most valuable assets to have as a person.
6. How have your values and principles changed throughout your life so far?
I have found that There are a lot of decisions involved in being a good person. Sometimes we as people don't always make the right ones, and that has helped shape my understanding of my values more than changed them.

7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer
I believe that i deserve 25 points out of 25 because I did the assignment, turned it in on time and answered all of the questions completely and honestly.