Ethics

Questions to consider for your ethical dillemma:

1. How am I making my ethical decision? Do I have a gut reaction and then try to justify it? Or do you think about the reasons first and then come to a conclusion?

2. What other AoKs do I draw from to make my decision? Do I consciously draw from these areas or is it more embedded in the process (are you using the knowledge without really thinking about it)?

3. What are the strengths of my argument? What are the weaknesses?

4. What are the implications of my argument in other situations? Have I come to any concrete ethical rules? Is ethics case by case or are there overarching moralities of right and wrong?

Art and meaning (required)

1. Do you think you can be “right” about the meaning of a song (and more generally art)? If your interpretation of art is not what the artist “meant” is the art any less valuable or effective in creating knowledge for the listener? Why or why not?
2. Is the artist unskilled if they do not get their meaning across? Is there any art that has no meaning? Must art have meaning? Why or why not? Be specific and give examples in your explanation.
3. Is music different from the other types of art (painting, sculpture, literature, dance, film, etc.) in how it creates knowledge for the listener? How so? Again, be specific in your answer, using examples from your life.

Derrick Jensen: Endgame (required)

1.       Do you agree with any of the premises put forward by Jensen?  If so, which premises do you most agree with?  Why?  Be specific and thorough in your answer.

2.       Which premises do you most disagree with?  Why?  If it is more than one, go over each disagreement and provide a legitimate counterclaim.

3.       Do you agree with his definitions of justice and production?  If so, why?  If not, how would you define these terms?

4.       What are the implications of his premises?  In your eyes, are there any positive implications of his premises or are they mostly negative?  Explain.

5.       How does history play a role in perpetuating the idea that civilization is “the right way to live?”  Can indigenous knowledge systems provide a counterclaim to this idea?  Why or why not?

6.       Do you believe that our culture will undergo a voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living?

7.       Do you believe that there is a ‘world culture’ or do you think this definition of culture is too broad?  If there is a world culture, what are some facets of that culture?  If not, in your opinion, why is there not a ‘world culture’?

Freeman Hrabowski TED Talk (required post)

1. How is this talk relevant to you?
2.  Do you tihnk hard work is more important than "being smart" when considering the possibility for excellence in math and science?  What about other AoKs?
3.  Is pursuing a degree in arts and social sciences better/worse than a STEM degree?  Why or why not?
4.  Do you disagree with any of the points made by Hrabrowsky in his talk?  Elaborate on your disagreements.
5. Do you agree with Arisotle, that "excellence is never an accident?  Is excellence always choice and never chance?  Why or why not?
6.  For those of you considering a degree in math and science, why are you doing it?  Do you have a passion or natural talent for the subject?  Is it strictly a monetary motive?  Is one motivation "better" than another?  Explain all aspects of your answer.

Ai Wei Wei - Never Sorry

Post your comments about the documentary here for credit!  Also, if you get retweeted by Ai Wei Wei you get 100 BONUS POINTS!!

The anti-vaccination movement and the controversy over GMOs

The anti-vaccination movement has gained momentum in the last few years for a number of reasons.  A big reason for this is because of the alleged connection between vaccines and triggering autism or ADHD in children.  Most of the proof linking vaccines with autism has been debunked (scientifically, at least), but there is still a large portion of the American population that still do not get their children vaccinated.  This has lead to the largest measles outbreak in America.  Read this article in Scientific American about the controversy.  Why would people, despite (relative) consensus from the scientific community and the CDC still choose not to have their children vaccinated?  Is it a personal choice issue or a public safety issue?  What are some knowledge issues we can extract from this real life situation?  Go here to watch the latest NOVA documentary about the recent controversy over vaccines.  It aired last Wednesday so it is very recent.

Another controversy that is much less scientifically clear is the debate over the use of GMOs as a main source of food for the american public (and the world at large).  Proponents of GMOs applaud their pesticide resistance and count on GMOs as a more reliable and resistant strain of foods to sustain the evergrowing demand for food as the worlds population grows and grows.  Opponents to GMOs cite the lack of scientific research on the adverse effects of modifying food from it's "natural" state, calling for more research and accusing big food companies (like Monsanto) of covering up the truth about the adverse effects of GMOs.  Read the following three articles, one from Scientific American, one from MIT technology review, and another from an anti-GMO interest group.  Who do you believe?  Why? What do you think about eating "genetically-modified organisms"?  Are there ethical concerns here?  What are some knowledge issues that could be extracted from these real life situations? Post your thoughts below!  

Sample ToK essay grade

Post the grade you gave the essay we read at the end of last class with an explanation that cites at least one example to justify your grade.  Try to use the language of the rubric in your answer. We are going to read one more essay on Friday on a different prescribed title, then we will move on to focus on dissecting the presentation rubric.