15 Jan Definition of Pluralism

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 1 Discussion

Why Study Ethics?

This module introduced you to an overview of ethics and ethical foundations. For this first discussion board, address the following questions in your initial post:

Why should one study ethics? Are ethics really necessary for us to function as a global society?

When (at what age) and where should ethics be taught?

Is it possible for one’s ethics to change over time? Why or why not?

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 2 Discussion

Looking Out for Good Ol’ Number 1

Egoism tends to receive a bad reputation or negative connotation because it is often confused with selfishness rather than the preservation of self-interest. Ethical egoism is the view that morally right actions are those that are in one’s own best interest. Since this is a consequentialist theory, the outcome is the determining factor. If the outcome is in the person’s best interest, then it is the morally right thing to do.

For example, Molly’s friends want her to go watch a band play, but she needs to do hours of homework because this is week two of the quarter. Molly’s friends complain that they never see her anymore because of her dedication to obtaining an education. If Molly neglects her homework and goes out, her grades will suffer and she risks failing the course. While she knows watching a band would be a lot more fun, she knows this is a time where she needs to assert her own self-interest of obtaining an education so that she can gain long term outcomes such as a better job and career advancement. After she explains this to her friends, they better understand why her schoolwork comes before social activities. This is the difference between self-interest and selfishness.

For this week’s discussion board, share a time like the example above when you had to assert an egoist approach. What were the facts surrounding the situation? Who were the other people involved (family, friends, coworkers)? How did you explain why your decision was not selfish, but rather in your own best interest?

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 3 Discussion

Flourishing and Eudaimonia

In this module’s learning, you were introduced to Aristotle’s idea of eudaimonia, which emphasizes happiness and flourishing. Imagine that you are 99 years old and looking back on your life. What do you think are the moments or actions that made you happiest? How would you determine whether your life was one which flourished? What role might virtue play in how you reflect?

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 4 Discussion

Is Lying Ever Morally Permissible?

In your reading, Kwasi Wiredu described how stories have been used as a scare tactic to keep children and the weak-minded in line. One example he uses is Akan parents telling their children not to sing while bathing; otherwise, their mother will die. (Wiredu says this is for the child’s well-being so that he or she did not accidently drink the dirty water and possibly get sick.)

Is it morally reasonable to mislead or lie to a child for his or her own well-being? Is this sort of parental behavior a necessary “tool” for guiding a child to do the right thing until he or she can figure out what is right or wrong on his or her own?

Many cultures use the idea of Santa Claus making a list of who is naughty/nice as a way to manage the behaviors of children (because those children on the “nice list” receive presents). Do you feel that this parental behavior is morally reasonable?

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 5 Discussion

Living in a Diverse World

Most of us have goals and dreams. You probably have a vision of what the good life would look like for you. With this in mind, do you think pluralism would help you to live in a diverse society, one in which other people’s opinions and lifestyles may clash with your pursuit of the good life? Does relativism offer a better or worse alternative? Explain your reasoning.

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 6 Discussion

When Will It End?

Terrorism is a complex and tragically violent topic that affects every corner of the globe. Terrorist attacks may be domestic, such as those that have occurred in Oklahoma City, Iraq, or Colombia. They may also be carried out by external threats such as those that have occurred in Spain, England, and the United States. In many cases, the violence of terrorism is met with more violence in the form of retribution.

Given what you’ve learned in this course so far, is there an ethical lens or idea that you feel, if more people truly understood, could help stop or slow the cycle of violence which plagues our world? Support your stance with one of the moral theories covered in this course.

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 01 Written Assignment

Choose Your Own Ethical Adventure

Have you ever made a split-second decision, but wondered after the fact, “what if I had chosen a different option?” Part of studying ethics is the ability to assess the short and long-term consequences of a decision and then choose the option that will have the more favorable outcomes. This module’s assignment gives you the opportunity to turn back the hands of time and examine a time when you wish you would have selected a different path.

In a 1-2 page paper, summarize a time when you had to make an ethical decision. Explain how your different options would affect the outcome. What were some external factors that impacted your decision? If you would have been given more time to make your decision, how would this change your approach or outcome?

Before you start working on this assignment, it is strongly recommended that you check out the Writing Guide that is available through the library’s website.

Are you looking for someone to review and provide feedback on your written assignments? Check out Brainfuse. You can send a paper for review and the Brainfuse Writing Lab staff will send it back to you within 24 hours. Find it by clicking the Brainfuse Message Center tab and make changes before submission to your instructor. For more information on how to access and use Brainfuse click here. http://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32588

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 02 Course Project – Part I

For this first part of the project you will be creating a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet highlighting Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism, which are two of the most well-known ethical theories. A FAQ sheet is a document that compiles a collection of information in the form of questions with their applicable answers. The goal of this sheet will be to provide some foundational information to the participants that they can take with them as they move through the Diversity Fair. It also works as a good conversational starter as people who visit your booth will be covering various aspects of ethics.

You will need to establish a FAQ document and provide the following questions with their applicable answers.

What are ethics?

Why do ethics vary from person to person?

What are key features of consequentialist theories?

What are key features of utilitarianism?

What are key features of ethical egoism?

What are the differences between utilitarianism and ethical egoism?

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 03 Written Assignment

Character in the Workplace: Building the Perfect Employee

For this week’s written assignment you are a manager at, Ad It Up, a mid-size marketing firm. Over the last five years you notice that issues relating to unethical practices seem to be on the rise. From minor issues, such as employees calling in sick when they should have used a personal/vacation day, to more serious issues, such as the inflation of hours billed to clients, the incidences are trending at a higher rate. In an attempt to curb these actions, the company decides to take a stronger stance and terminate those employees flagged as being unethical.

Along with a heightened emphasis on training, a revision of the code of ethics, and stricter enforcement of the policies, you have been tasked with hiring three entry-level marketing employees to replace some of the terminated employees. The company wants to attract employees who are not only talented, but are ethical. You need to create a help wanted ad that spells out the various virtues that you are seeking in an employee.

Instructions

Create a 1-page, help-wanted ad for an entry level marketing person. In your ad, provide the following details:

Attention grabbing title

A brief summary of the entry-level marketing position

A list of the desired virtues applicants should possess. For this part, you will need to provide and explain five of the virtues covered in this week’s materials.

Instructions for applying for the job.

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 04 Written Assignment

Key Concepts of Confucian Ethics

As you will recall, the concept of Ren, or humanness, is the most important principle in Confucian ethics. This is the idea of treating others with compassion. Ren frames all other virtues (both moral and non-moral).

For this assignment, demonstrate your understanding of Ren and other key concepts of Confucian ethics by choosing one of the following options:

Write a Poem

Write lyrics and/or record a Song (may be an original tune or a parody)

Write a script and/or record a TV or Radio Commercial

Create a PowerPoint Presentation

Create a Movie Poster

Create a Travel Brochure

While you may choose any of the above formats, you must cover some of the basics surrounding Ren. Include a definition of it, examples of Ren in everyday life, why Ren is an important tenet in Confucian ethics, and how does one show Ren towards others?

What you submit to the drop box below will vary depending on which form of expression you choose above. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that what you submit can be easily viewed by an average person using a computer equipped with Internet access and Microsoft Office. Some examples might include:

Poem: would likely take the form of a Microsoft Word document.

Song: lyrics would likely be done in a Word document.

Song: audio recording would ideally be in an MP3 format (to ensure that the file is small enough to submit).

TV/Radio Commercial: script would likely be done in a Word document.

TV Commercial: video would likely be uploaded to YouTube (or similar) and hyperlink provided in the dropbox.

Radio Commercial: audio recording would ideally be in an MP3 format (to ensure that the file is small enough to submit)

PHI1520 Ethics Around the Globe

Module 05 Course Project – Part II

As you continue to prepare for your booth at the diversity fair, you along with your fellow committee members, want to provide the participants with information related to coexisting in a diverse environment. Through your coursework in your Ethics Around the Globe class, you feel that a brochure that provides information on Pluralism, Relativism, and Absolutism could be beneficial. These three terms address different ways that people with different ethical views can interact.

Your brochure will include the following:

An introduction that provides an overview of ethical diversity.

Definition of Pluralism and an applicable example

Definition of Relativism and an applicable example

Definition of Absolutism and an applicable example

Available credible resources so that participants can learn more: this can be from valid websites, your text book, additional readings from the class, videos etc.

The brochure that you are creating is to be a tri-fold design, double-sided. Draw attention to your brochure by using well-placed art, an easy to read design with your content, and effective use of color.

Looking for information on how to create a brochure? Check out this resource