Assighnment #4

Part 1: Relationship b/n Religion and Ethics

A. The relationship between ethics and religion is that ethics is an attempt to figure out what is right and religion gives a clear cut guide line of what is right. Ethics judges whether or not the religous guidelines are indeed moral or immoral. One thing that religion say is moral may be decided immoral by ethical philosophers. Ethical people make their decisions based on logic and reason where as a religious person follows the conduct code given based on faith. In the end though, ethical and religious people come to the same or similar conclusion.

B.I found this article and it really helped me to understand the difference between religion and ethics. It helped me to separate what part of my decision are ethics and what is religion. I learned about how religion is more based on a code that is given to the follower and ethics is a person's own judgment and reasoning. That was the main thing I got out of this article, but it was very useful in helping me understand the topic.

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/archive/2006springsummer/donahue.html

C. Arguable Issue: The issue is whether or not ethics and religion complement each other.

Conclusion: Ethics and religion complement each other.

Premises:

(1) Ethics and religion usually come to similar or the same conclusions.

(2) They both try to do what is right.

(3) One can help solidify each others conclusions.

Part 2

1. The majority is just simply whatever side of an issue gets the most votes. It doesn't matter if it is 99 to 1 or 51 to 49. The majority rule is often considered the wisest decision even though it may not always be morally correct. This is the way many things are decided in a democracy. But some people may be corrupt in their motives for voting so the majority rule may not always be ethically reliable, but may be in best interest for the group.

Source: Ruggiero

Arguable Issue: Whether or not the majority rule is reliable for an ethical decision.

Conclusion: Majority rule is not reliable for an ethical decision.

Premises:

(1) People have their own motives when voting

(2) Everyone has a different set of ethics

(3) Some people are more ignorant or uninformed than other people

2. Feelings are the way your mind reacts emotionally to things or situations. Your feelings towards something can make you love it or hate. These feelings help determine what is right and what is wrong. By going with your feelings they can help you make moral choices on what you feel is right or what you feel is wrong. Everyone has different feelings about everything giving everyone different sets of morals.

Arguable Issue: whether or not your feelings area reliable source for ethical decision making.
Conclusion: Feelings are a reliable source for ethical decision making.
Premises:
(1) Studies show that going with your "gut" is usually right
(2) Your moral decisions are based on how you feel about something
(3) Everybody has different feelings so you decide what is ethical to you.

Part 3

1. I tried to put it all in my own words the best I could but I kind of had trouble explaining some things. I didn't consciously copy anything though. I thought of all my arguments and tried to word them the best I could but I found it kind of difficult.

2. The easiest part of the assignment would have to have been the reading. That was pretty easy and short. The hardest part of the assignment was trying to put the first part in my own words and have it make sense. I had trouble explaining the relationship between ethics and religion. That was the most difficult part.

3. I will think about my decisions a little more and in a different perspective. I will think about if my feelings are rational and my decisions are logical.

4. I think I did alright on this assignment. It was a little more difficult than most of the assignments for me. I had a lot of trouble focusing on this. But I think overall I got enough of my points across and tried my best.

Assignment #3

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

This book states that "that to give an argument is to a set of reasons in support of a conclusion." The book is trying to make the point that an argument is not negative as many people often think. Arguments are not just verbal ffist fights and yelling. They can constructive and used to reach a conclusion.



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

Weston says that arguments are essential to find out which side of arguments have better views. He says that," not all arguments are equal, some are weaker than others. We need arguments to find which side has stronger premises.



3. Explain why many students tend to “write an essay, but not an argument”.
Most students tend to write an essay instead of argument because they do not actually understand what an argumment is. They only write elaborate statements but do not offer anything to support them. Also through high school the oonly thing they had to learn was facts. They did not have to learn anything that wasnt certain. Now they are being challenged in a new way and are not completely prepared.


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".

Arguable Issue: Whether or not fast food is good for society

Conclusion : Fast food is not good for society

Premises:

(1) Fast food is leading to obesity

(2) It causes heart problems

(3) Runs small resturants out of buisness

Arguable Issue: Whether fast food is good for society or not.

Conclusion: Fast food is good for society

Premises:

(1) It provides a way for people to eat cheaply

(2) It creates jobs

(3) Its fast and non time consuming

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.

My argument uses wach of these rules. I my conclusion and premise are both well defined and my argument is an a natural order.My premises are also well proven facts and they contain now emotionaly loaded words. My premises are not vague and use consitant terms that dont change in meaning.

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.

My arguments follow all the definition rules. My words have clear definitions and are supported by facts. Using the word good might be kind of vague but I think is backed up by premises. And my case on words like healthy are clear and cannot be contested.
7. Good posts demonstrate:
Sincere reflection, effort, and analysis

Answers that are substantial (at least one large paragraph each)

Consistent mention, citation, and integration of the assigned readings (explained in YOUR own words, though)
Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Correctly titled posts!
How many points do you honestly feel your post this week deserves? Justify your answer.

Well, I met all the requirements, but also I read the chapter and had consistent quotations. I tried my best on grammer. I tried my best to answer my questions the best I could. My argument was relavent to what is going on today and I put it in the correct form, so I think I should get full credits.

1. Were the questions on the Moral Sense Test difficult to answer (psychologically, emotionally, conceptually, technically, etc.)? Why or why not? Do you think your responses to the Moral Sense Test questions were consistent? Does this matter?
Some of them where a little strange to answer just because the person wasn't really doing anything wrong, just kind of wierd. Some of the ones that were kind of tough were if everyone around them did it because thats when social norms and contracts can come into play.

2. Should people always follow the law? Why or why not? When might one be justified in NOT following the law? Give examples.
I don't think people should obey the laws 100 percent of the time. I think under certain circumstances they can be broken and some laws are unreasonable. If some one has been bitten by a poisoness snake I think somebody should be allowed to speed to get them to the hospital. And thier are some wierd laws like you can't eat ice cream while riding a horse on Sunday.

3. In your own words, explain what "social convention" means. Give examples.
I think a social convention is a rule in society that is not written down but is generaly accepted by everyone. Breaking most social conventions is not illegal but can come across as rood or can isolate a person from society. Like if someone doesn't have good hygine or dresses wierd.

4. Should people always follow the conventions of their society? Why or why not? Give examples.
I don't think that people should always follow social conventions because some of them become outdated or are unreasonable. Like people tell me to take my hat off when I'm inside and some times it bothers really old people. But I don't care becasue I really see no logical reason why I should take my hat off inside, so I leave my hat on.

5. Should people always follow their own principles? Why or why not? Give examples.
I think that people should always follow their own principles. If you don't follow your own principles what is the point of having them. Your principles help define you. So if your against say stealing and you let someone talk you into stealing somethng then you are letting someone control who you are.

6. Explain in your own words the difference between socially acceptable, legally acceptable, and morally acceptable.
Something that is socialy is acceptable has to do with culture and what people in that culture accept as normal. Something that is legally accepted is something legislators have determined does not hurt anyone or need to be regulated. Something that is morally acceptable is someone making a thoughtful choice that does not harm anyone else and is not for thier self benefit.

7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I think I should get full credit on this assignment. I answered all the questions as fully as I could. I tried to make everything I said relative and support my answers. I also had to mess with that online test for like an hour before I could get it to work.

Blog Assignment #1

1. How would you have explained the meaning of the term "ethics", before taking this class?
I think that ethics is the way people decide whats right and what is wrong. Everybody has a different set of ethics. Peoples ethics affect the decisions they make and the things they do on a personal level.

2. What are some of your deepest held values?
My deepest held values are to be yourself no matter what and try to live life the best you can. I don't think anyone should act different under peer pressure. You should always be yourself. I also hate stealing, I never steal anything.


3. What are some main principles you try to live your life by?
I try to live my life by putting thought into every decision that I make. When I am about to do something I think if it will benefit or effect me or others in a posotive way. I apply that to things that I do, say and pay attention to. If something is negative I try not to pay attention to it. Whatever you put into your mind is what you will get out of it. So I try to filter my mind and only put in posotive things. I also don't get upset easily. I think about situations Im in and most of the time its nothing to fret over if you look at the big picture. I also try to be as honest as possible.

4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?
I look for honest and well rounded people. People that will make the right decision more often than not and are loyal to you. I don't like to be around sketchy people that you can't trust. I also like people that are straight forward with you. Even if they say something negative towards me, I would rather have that then someone pretend to like me. I think being straight forward is a good quality but is often taken the wrong way. The people around me also have to have a good sense of humor because I really like sarcasm.

5. How were your values and principles developed?
Well I was brought up in the church so a lot of my values and principles come from a Christian perspective. Over time I have really just learned to trust those values and always seem to get a positive outcome from them. My perspective on life though has changed through trusting or not trusting my values.

6. How have your values and principles changed throughout your life so far?
As I've gotten older, my perspective on my values and principles have tweeked a little, with some getting stronger and some blurring a little as I expirience new things in my life. I have really learned to just let things be and it will all work itself out.

7. Out of 25 points, how many points do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
I think that I deserve full credit because even though it took me like six hours to finish because I kept getting destracted, I answered all the questions as fully and honeslty as I could.