Blog #6

This week's contemporary issue was on the death penalty. I do not agree with capital punishment because it is hypocritical to the morality of a human being. Our government is supposed to protect the individual's freedom. The one core freedom a human has is of his or her life. The death penalty should never exist because freedom of life is the one essential value of the people the government is supposed to protect. I'm not saying there aren't circumstances where murder can't be justified, but I am saying a government should not have a hand in whether or not one of its citizens should be alive or dead regardless of circumstance. Regarding murder, the only people who should have the hand of justice are the people who are involved in the situation. Such as self defense, one could justify murder if the situation entailed kill or be killed.

I exercised my principles according to this week's contemporary issues. One principle influenced by Taoism that I uphold in this argument is that life is sacred and shouldn't be treated with malice or revenge. Furthermore, the principle of freedom for me is what I recognize I value very highly. In this instance, if a person killed someone that person still has the opportunity to become benevolent and help out his or her fellow man. If one simply decided that their life is no longer worthy because of a past action, that person's chance at helping others out is diminished. So the principle of freedom is very important to me.

To evolve my personal ethical well being, I must experience new things. I can only learn so much by discussing and studying subjects. I'm open to the idea that an experience can completely alter the way I view and treat life. For example, I would probably be more ethically sound if I actually lived in places in the world where food and water is scarce, and I would then not waste as much as I do today. Overall, I think that I have learned to not be an absolutist and to be open to the idea that I am forever changing from this class and these ethical studies.


This week I've commented on, Ashanti's blog. http://ashantijones.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-6-death-penalty-kill-for-kill.html?showComment=1335823844093#c2817070210928562286

Blog #5

This weeks contemporary issues were about abortion. When it comes to social/political issues I tend to be libertarian so in this instance I would be pro-choice, although I try not to have much of an opinion here considering I am a dude.

But, if I did allow myself free speech despite my testosterone I would say; A woman should be the only person dealing with what she wants to do with her body, and big brother government should have nothing to do with what she chooses... Unless the baby is more than a fetus and has a beating heart. Once there is a heart beating in a body regardless whether or not it is in a womb or not it's a human life and it should be treated as such. Again though, I am not an absolutist when it comes to a debate like this because I am not a woman and I do not have to deal with child birth.

So, I am not in complete agreement with Noonan because I don't believe cells in a body that act like a parasite should have rights. Although, I am also not in complete agreement with Warren because abortion 8 months into pregnancy is not abortion it is more similar to homicide. But finally, I have no say, I am male.

This week I've commented on Becky's Blog. http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-5.html?showComment=1335195220478#c4635282948623075565

Blog #4

This weeks contemporary issue made me apply the Taoist beliefs specifically. Taoism would especially not be down with the whole idea of cloning. Cloning is completely unnatural and considering Taoism is based off of nature itself, it is against this whole notion of cloning and I agree. Cloning opens the door for people to use other people (clones/themselves) as tools for their own selfish desires. For example, if there is a man of Hitler's demeanor during the time of cloning, there's a high chance there could be an army of clones that try valiantly to eradicate the world of Jewish people, again. Furthermore, to use Clones to extend one's life by taking their organs devalues life and its quality because the possibility of death is what makes humans want to live in the moment and enjoy it.

I agree with Kass because of what cloning would do to families across the world. People wouldn't need the benevolent experience of child birth instead they could just grow another one of themselves casually. Personally having a mother and father has shaped a large part of my personality for the better and it would suck to live in a generation where this method of raising kids was vanquished due to cloning.

I commented on Becky's blog: http://becksbradley.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-number-four.html?showComment=1334081615346#c1382761834518785385