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February 28, 2006
Presentation #3: Prostitution
Prostitution is the sale of sexual services by oneself for money. A person who performs these services is known as a prostitute, a type of sex worker.
Currently, prostitution is illegal. But, should prostitution be legal? If so, what would be the benefit(s) of legalization for individuals and to society?
If prostition should remain illegal, what is it about prostitution that makes it undesirable?
Could the costs of prostitution to individuals and society be so great as to demand that it be illegal?
Posted by seschmid at 12:52 PM | Comments (24)
February 17, 2006
Presentation #2: Surrogate Motherhood
Surrogate motherhood is when a woman takes the place of another woman in the carrying of a fetus and birthing of the baby. The surrogate mother might contribute her own egg or might have another woman's fertilized egg implanted. In either case, the surrogate mother agrees to give up the newborn infant to the woman or couple contracting the surrogate mother for her services.
Is it moral for women to participate in surrogacy when they can't have children or want to help other women who are in the same situation out?
Should the surrogate mother have rights to this child?
Posted by seschmid at 12:36 PM | Comments (27)
February 09, 2006
Ethics without God
Here's a debatable question: Can one live an ethical and moral life without God? Can one find meaning in one's life without appeal to religion and religious faith?
What do you think? What does Kai think?
Posted by seschmid at 01:02 PM | Comments (13)
Presentation #1: Drug Legalization
One of the most debated moral topics right now is the legalization of marijuana.
Do you consider yourself a prohibitionist, which means marijuana legalization would lead to higher economic costs, increased abuse, higher demand for drug-treatment services, and reduced productivity in the workplace and most importantly losses due to increased injuries and death?
Or a anti-prohibitionists, which means you agree with the legalization of marijuana with the result that the black market would be reduced, violence would decrease, and crime would also decrease?
Do you think marijuana should be treated differently from other illegal substances, like cocaine and heroin?
Posted by seschmid at 12:51 PM | Comments (22)
February 05, 2006
Questions on Euthyphro and the Divine Command Theory
Euthyphro is a very wise man, or so he thinks. What is Socrates trying to learn from him?
What is Euthyphro's answer?
Substitute for “piety” the word “just” or “good”. And for “impiety” substitute “unjust” or “bad”. In essence, the dialogue is about what makes for the good or bad.
Suppose God were to say it is permissible to torture babies for fun? Would torturing babies for fun really be permissible? How must Euthyphro answer this question?
Posted by seschmid at 08:35 PM | Comments (7)