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September 26, 2007
Presentation #1: File Sharing and Song Downloading
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) defines music piracy as "the unauthorized uploading of a copyrighted sound recording and making it available to the public, or downloading a sound recording from an Internet site, even if the recording isn't resold."
1. Is the sharing of music and other copyrighted files online immoral?
2. Do you believe the legal pursuits of the RIAA and MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) are justified?
3. At what point in the presumed moral code of the average American citizen do the concepts of sharing and community clash with the concepts of respect of property and respect of the law?
4. Are there any situations in which downloading copyrighted materials can be justified? What are they?
Posted by seschmid at 06:28 AM | Comments (32)
September 24, 2007
Sign Up for Presentations
There are 9 people who have not yet signed up for presentations. Presenations are set to begin next week. If you fail to sign up and fail to make your presentation date, you will fail that assignment.
So, if you are one of the 9 who has put signing up off, it is time to sign up.
You can look at the Presentation Schedule page to see if you have signed up and what topics are already taken.
Posted by seschmid at 09:10 AM
September 23, 2007
Cultural Relativism
The reading for the next class, "What's Culture Got To Do With It?," can be a difficult piece to read.
What are your initial reactions to the practice of female circumcision?
Do you ever think that right and wrong actions are determined by a society or culture? If so, then do you think that practices like female circumcision ought to continue? What justification can you give for continuing this practice?
We often hear that we ought to be tolerant of other cultures? Should we be tolerant of all of a culutre's actions? Are some practices really not ethically significant and we should practice tolerance in these cases? Do you have any examples?
Also, if you were wondering how current this issue is, the New York Times published an article this week on female circumcision in Egypt. The link is here.
Posted by seschmid at 05:27 PM | Comments (1)
September 19, 2007
Ethics without God--Is it possible?
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 09:20 AM | Comments (1)
September 16, 2007
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?
On top of that, which god and religion is the authority for determining moral behavior? Check out this web site for a list of some of the major religions.
Posted by seschmid at 01:26 PM | Comments (1)
September 09, 2007
Welcome to Ethics (PHI 241)
Welcome to the UW-Rock County Ethics class blog. This blog page is intended for students enrolled in the Fall 2007, Ethics class (PHI 241).
The purpose of this blog page is to provide a place for class announcements, clarifications of lectures and assignments, and discussion of issues raised in and out of class. Students can comment on any of the postings or to any of the comments. This blog page is also where you are to make your pre-presentation responses.
This is a great tool for learning more about and doing philosophy by discussing philosophical issues with your peers. I strongly suggest that you visit this blog page on a regular basis--preferably the day before each class so you are prepared for the next day's lecture and discussion.
Posted by seschmid at 05:37 PM