How are ethics and social justice related?
Ethics and social justice are related through the fact that the majority of social justice issues are ethical issues at their core. Whoever is involved in the issues usually claims right over the other party, but then, as Kidder explained that tough choices revolve around right vs right. If these issues were not tough choices to resolve, then they would not be issues. Social justice seeks to create equity and achieve the fairest and 'best' outcome for everyone, and that requires ethical decisions. Weighing choices with unbiased and impersonal conduct will always be a tightrope walk between whoever or whatever is disputed. Using ethical reasoning should allow for less criticism by all and a greater understanding of how and why a decision is made.
What ethical considerations do you think are most important?
I think that the consideration of Truth vs. Loyalty is one of the most important ones, because if used as an explanation, it can most easily offend and bias others. Friendships, employment, and positions of authority for example, can all be infringed upon by the difference of the fairness of the truth versus the alleigance of a judge or mediator to one of the actors. Similar to that, the consideration of Individual vs. Community often rears its head in lawmaking or in court. A judge or government has to choose between making an example of someone regardless of their position or role and perpetuating the status quo they would like to see, and giving a person or organization a break based on the values of whoever is making the decision.
How often do you consider ethics in your own actions and decisions? Is this a conscious or unconscious process?
Most of the time when I am faced with a decision I dont focus on the ethical reasoning for my choice. Consciously at least. Being 17, the majority of the choices I have don't require a challenging ethical conundrum because I am either interacting with my other school age peers, or inanimate objects. Rarely am I asked by anyone to mediate or judge something that is serious enough to warrant an in depth analyzation of an issue, so I don't think I have enough experience or opportunities to do so.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Morals & Values
morals
A set of habits or principles that individuals or groups use to govern or respect the difference between right and wrong.
For example: When faced wtih an ethical decision, the two sides are defined by morals, the limits or hard-wired beliefs of right and wrong.
value
The importance of a physical or abstract object measured as a property.
Example: Something of high value may be considered good or 'better' for living day-to-day life, while something of low value is considered detrimental to living well and with good conduct.
A set of habits or principles that individuals or groups use to govern or respect the difference between right and wrong.
For example: When faced wtih an ethical decision, the two sides are defined by morals, the limits or hard-wired beliefs of right and wrong.
value
The importance of a physical or abstract object measured as a property.
Example: Something of high value may be considered good or 'better' for living day-to-day life, while something of low value is considered detrimental to living well and with good conduct.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ethics
A branch of philosophy that deals with conflicts and seeks to answer questions arising from them such as right and wrong, good and bad, and the concepts of justice and virtue.
Illustration: This cartoon is an example of ethical irony, the cheating of the class majority raises the question of whether their actions are right or wrong.
Illustration: This cartoon is an example of ethical irony, the cheating of the class majority raises the question of whether their actions are right or wrong.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Haitian Justice?
After reading the article on cbcnews.ca, I was surprised to see that Haiti's communications minister wants these 10 to be tried in the U.S. and not Haiti. Why should they be tried for a crime that originated in Haiti, when they are already being detained there? Wouldnt it cost more money to fly these 'kidnappers' over to the U.S. and then have a lengthy and drawn out trial due to the slow pace of western proceedings.
I assume they had knowledge of the consequences when they traveled to the ruined republic, and should have judgement passed on them by it's citizens, not their American peers and colleagues. Maybe what should happen is that the group should be detained UNTIL infrastructure exists for them to be tried. I don't think that the U.S. should try to bring them 'home' when its clear what they have allegedly done (or attempted to do) is a heinous act anywhere in the world.
The mistakes that they made with some of the children even declaring that they were not orphans to the press, completely incriminates the group, because of how open the whole thing was, and the reason why I guess this doesn't happen often. The justice that should be administered to them should not be American justice, it should be Haitian justice. End of story.
I assume they had knowledge of the consequences when they traveled to the ruined republic, and should have judgement passed on them by it's citizens, not their American peers and colleagues. Maybe what should happen is that the group should be detained UNTIL infrastructure exists for them to be tried. I don't think that the U.S. should try to bring them 'home' when its clear what they have allegedly done (or attempted to do) is a heinous act anywhere in the world.
The mistakes that they made with some of the children even declaring that they were not orphans to the press, completely incriminates the group, because of how open the whole thing was, and the reason why I guess this doesn't happen often. The justice that should be administered to them should not be American justice, it should be Haitian justice. End of story.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Inaugural Online Glossary Post!
To break in this blog, I'm going to define and describe the first term in the online glossary of Social Justice at http://sj12.wikispaces.com/!
Ableism
A newly coined word, synonymous with 'disablism', it is effectively discrimination against people with disabilities, with non-disabled people as the standard for 'normal' living. This creates locations and services that inherently exclude individuals with disabilities. It is the opposite of inclusion.
Illustration: If an organization was vehemently ableist towards wheelchair users, then the the front door of their property would look like:
Ableism
A newly coined word, synonymous with 'disablism', it is effectively discrimination against people with disabilities, with non-disabled people as the standard for 'normal' living. This creates locations and services that inherently exclude individuals with disabilities. It is the opposite of inclusion.
Illustration: If an organization was vehemently ableist towards wheelchair users, then the the front door of their property would look like:
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