« March 2006 | Main | September 2006 »
April 24, 2006
Presentation #9: Gay Adoptions (Part 2 of 2)
Gay and lesbian couples have been adopting children for a long time, but only recently have the adoptions been done openly. These adoptions have not been purused openly because of society's attitudes toward gay adoptions. For example, it is more common for one partner to adopt as a single parent and for the other partner to come in as a co-parent.
Do you think that homosexual behavior is morally wrong?
Do you think society has a great impact on whether gay or lesbian couples decide to adopt? If so, how does it affect their decisions?
Do you think gay/lesbian couples should be allowed to marry but not adopt? If so, why?
Posted by seschmid at 08:25 AM | Comments (20)
Presentation #9: Gay Marriage (Part 1 of 2)
Gay marriage is the intent of two people of the same gender desiring to be joined in holy matrimony.
It is the year 2006, and we still only have one state in the USA which allows gay couples to be married. Gay marriage has become a volatile issue.
We want to know why gay marriage is such a major issue?
Do you agree or disagree with the ban on gay marriages?
If you were gay or lesbian, would you be mad because you cannot marry the one you love and with whom you want to spend your life?
Posted by seschmid at 08:17 AM | Comments (20)
April 13, 2006
Presentation #8: Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.
Euthanasia by action is intentionally causing a person's death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection. Euthanasia by omission is intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary care or food and water.
Everyone has heard of Terri Schiavo (if not, click here for background).
Do you think it was ethical to take her off life support?
If you were in a vegetative state, would you rather live on life support for how ever long you could survive, or would you want to be taken off life support?
What are your thoughts about euthanasia? Is it unethical? Are you for one type of euthanasia over the other?
Posted by seschmid at 12:10 PM | Comments (21)
April 06, 2006
Presentation #7: Smoking Bans
Recently in the city of Madison, a smoking ban was put into effect for all local businesses, restaurants, and bars throughout the city. Similar smoking bans have been implemented in many cities in California, Kentucky, and Illinois. Some municipalities have even gone as far as allowing smoking only on private property; no city streets, businesses, employers, colleges, and so forth.
Is it right for the states to ban smoking in business establishments, like bars and restaurants? Why or why not?
How about housing complexes, such as condominiums or apartments?
What about your work place or college campus?
It is one thing for the smoker to have rights to do as they please. But, second-hand smoke effects the non-smoker who also has rights.
Should non-smokers have the right to ban smoking in their community?
Shouldn't the smokers have the ability to argue against the smoking ban in their community?
Posted by seschmid at 09:30 AM | Comments (23)
April 02, 2006
Post Spring Break Schedule
Welcome back.
Here's the updated schedule following Spring Break.
We will NOT read the "Survival Lottery" or "Persons and Punishment."
This week, we will cover Kant's theory of ethics.
Next week, we will start discussing the ethics of abortion.
After the abortion issue, we will skip the Social Contract theory of morality and start directly on Ethics of Care followed by Virtue Ethics.
That should take us to the end of the semester.
Posted by seschmid at 01:42 PM | Comments (1)