Guidelines: For each of the Topics 1-5 listed in the syllabus there will be a Reflection with a Reply. The Reflection addresses several questions. The Reply is your response to another student.
To complete a reflection post your answers as a “new thread” in the forum. Please do not post links or attachments–it is better to cut and paste so that others can readily access the material. After posting you will be able to read the posts of others. Submit your reflection two days before the discussion closes. If the discussion thread locks on the 10th you need to submit the Reflection by the 8th and the Reply by the 10th.
Scoring: 4 points total: 3 for the reflection and 1 for a reply. Grading focuses on the following:
1) length: at least a single-spaced half page (restating the questions does not count) for the reflection itself, not the reply.
2) content: original contribution that demonstrates knowledge of course readings–not a copy and paste from the Internet
3) justification: what you think but also why you think it, using evidence or reasons especially for the Argue section.
4) reply: respond to at least one classmate with at least five sentences that focus on course material or argumentation. Points will not be given for replies that simply offer affirmations such as “I agree” or “I disagree.” See below for an explanation.
Due Date: Again, submit the Reflection at least two days before the discussion locks so that others have time to reply. Once the discussion locks, no additional comments can be submitted. If a topic locks at 11:59pm on the 10th, post the Reflection no later than the 8th at 11:59pm; submit the reply before the thread closes on the 10th.
How to do a Reflection: This activity works on the philosophical skills of articulation and argument.
Articulation strives to understand and to present clearly and precisely the concepts or ideas from the topic material.
Argumentation relies on articulation, but goes further. It does more that state a view, and certainly does more than simply pick a side or offer an opinion. The skill of argumentation for establishing and defending a philosophical position is not unlike a construction project that requires building materials, assembly, and an architectural plan. The building blocks are the course concepts and your own thinking; assembly requires the cement of evidence and the design of reason in order to become a well constructed whole. Simply stating what we “think” or “believe” is not enough–no more than throwing down a pile of wood in front of a tree is sufficient for making a treehouse.
There are no participation trophies in philosophy. Some ideas are better than others; some arguments are better than others. A philosophical position requires justification, not unlike a construction project requires design and assembly. Consider the argue section as a place to practice using the tools of philosophy for building moral foundations and frameworks, as Boss suggests in her introduction. If we don’t build a moral framework then even our strongest opinions are probably no better than simply following the crowd or believing whatever we are told.
Argue: what I think and why I think it. Here’s an example of the what without the why. There is no justification, just an opinion:
“I totally agree with animal rights supporters. We should never do scientific experiments on rats. This is just terrible! These little creatures should not be used for medical research under any circumstance.”
Justification offers evidence and/or reasons that another person can understand and consider plausible. For example, here’s a better position with the what and the why:
“I totally agree with animal rights supporters [agreement doesn’t justify]. We should never do scientific experiments on rats. This is just terrible![feelings don’t justify] These little creatures should not be used for medical research under any circumstance because rats are animals that experience pleasure and pain. Rats are sentient, just like humans. Therefore rats have the same rights and protections as do humans. If we can’t experiment on children then we cannot experiment on rats.”
The second statement offers justification. Whether we are convinced by the justification is a matter for the next stage of the philosophical process. Nevertheless, the second statement offers the why–the argument and justification–for doing philosophy.
After you post your reflection as a new thread you will be able to read and respond to classmates.
How to do a Reply: Focus on whether your classmate articulates and/or argues well. Avoid the the ceremonious but unnecessary “I agree” or “I disagree.” Agreement does no philosophical work. Millions of people can agree that the earth is flat, but that doesn’t make it the case. For example, rather than beginning with “I agree” start with something such as “The point about X and the example of Y are very persuasive. I had not considered these” or “Ellin seems to be saying that objectivism is not necessarily absolutism. There can be exceptions built into universal principles.” Again, philosophy goes beyond the sharing of an opinion.
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Everyone has an opinion; few have an argument; fewer have a good argument.
Reflection 4: Non-human Animal Rights
Divide your response into two sections:
Articulate:
- a) What is Tom Regan’s position on animals rights, based especially on his Video?
- b) What is Cohen’s position on non-human animal rights? Cohen claims that Regan commits what fallacy and why?
Argue:
- a) Watch this provocative video from PETA. Evaluate whether PETA makes an effective argument?
- b)Argue for your position on non-human animal rights. Do you favor the arguments of PETA, Regan, or Cohen?
- c) Do you have any pets? If so, feel free to name them and post picture(s)–we do this in class and have a lot of fun. Argue whether pets have direct or indirect moral standing.
My dog, Patriot (below), argues via special “dog logic” that he has direct standing, though I’m not so sure. Apparently Patriot believes that he is a human; apparently our ethical debate has come down to a metaphysical issue. Of course he assures us that dog food is for “dogs” and since he is a human that he should have human food, sleep on the bed, etc.
