Prompt: http://litmuse.net/prompt_rights
I remember sitting in history class listening to my teacher lecture us about U.S. legislation. At that time, I didn't think it was very important because I was determined I was going to do what I wanted regardless. As I grew older and matured, I finally realized how I may have underestimated the power of the U.S. government. With the rise of majority rule, there has been constant headlines about how human rights is gradually fading away.
Unlike some who focus on majority rule, I am strongly for human rights. People should be able to express themselves individually without being frowned upon. The fact that people do judge others based on sexual preference is absurd. It is wrong, and in my opinion a violation of privacy.
Although some communities argue that gay individuals do not make good role models, I know that setting a positive example for others is not dependant upon sexual preference. There are many homosexuals who are already teaching elementary and middle school children. People don't realize this because homosexuals try to hide the truth from others, especially those who are extremely judgemental. We are sometimes so blinded that we fail to realize that there are some heterosexuals who do not make good role modes. Shouldn't we pay close attention to those instead of just focusing on the homosexuals.
In most cases majority rule legislation is based upon moral values. The majority tend to vote based on the ways of their parents or how they were brought up. They refuse to listen to social or political factors that may play a part as well. In this instance, church remains to have a strong control of the majority will.
My views are primarly social-based. I do not see the need to base employment on sexual preference. Currently there are laws that prevent employment discrimination based on age, sex, and race. I feel that discrimination based on sexual preference should be among those. Views on different situations are constantly changing. One thing that should not change is human rights. Who are we to determine by majority if gays are allowed to hold jobs such as educators?
When these concerns clash, we have a separation amongst individuals. We need to come to the agreement that human rights will always take priority over majority rule legislation.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
My Decision as a Relativist
Prompt: Right or Wrong?
There is a very thin line when is comes to the rightness or wrongness of certain activities.
Think of your younger years when you went to the store with your parents. You saw something that you really wanted to have. You picked it up and took it with you. No harm, right? You were young. You probably didn't think it even mattered.
Now imagine yourself now, as an adult. Would you go to the store and take something that you wanted without paying for it? Not, unless your're a shoplifter. This is one example of how the rightness and wrongness of certain situations can be based upon different age groups.
Everyone knows that it is against the law to run red lights and stop signs. You really realize how wrong it is when you get tickets and have to pay fines. But what if your wife was having a baby? Or you were late for work and on probation for excessive tardiness? Think about policemen and firefighters. Do they stop? No. That is because what is right and wrong is also dependant on the severity of the situation at hand. Can it wait or is it an emergency?
I remember stories told to me by my grandmother about principals and morals of her time. I can honestly say that those same principals and morals have evolved over time. What was once considered immoral and unjust is now accepted by many people today. Examples of this would be gay marriages or interracial dating. There are still some who do not accept this kind of behavior. Church is one example. They tend to follow more strict moral guidelines than anyone else.
What is right or wrong is also based on the perception one has on the outside surroundings. How someone was raised also pays a significant role. People tend to live by the ways of their parents unless something drastically changes such as the development of psychological issues. We were all told by our parents to never steal, never to harm others, and to treat people the way you would like to be treated.
I consider myself to be a moral relativist. I consider all possible factors involved before I make a judgement on what I think is right or wrong.
There is a very thin line when is comes to the rightness or wrongness of certain activities.
Think of your younger years when you went to the store with your parents. You saw something that you really wanted to have. You picked it up and took it with you. No harm, right? You were young. You probably didn't think it even mattered.
Now imagine yourself now, as an adult. Would you go to the store and take something that you wanted without paying for it? Not, unless your're a shoplifter. This is one example of how the rightness and wrongness of certain situations can be based upon different age groups.
Everyone knows that it is against the law to run red lights and stop signs. You really realize how wrong it is when you get tickets and have to pay fines. But what if your wife was having a baby? Or you were late for work and on probation for excessive tardiness? Think about policemen and firefighters. Do they stop? No. That is because what is right and wrong is also dependant on the severity of the situation at hand. Can it wait or is it an emergency?
I remember stories told to me by my grandmother about principals and morals of her time. I can honestly say that those same principals and morals have evolved over time. What was once considered immoral and unjust is now accepted by many people today. Examples of this would be gay marriages or interracial dating. There are still some who do not accept this kind of behavior. Church is one example. They tend to follow more strict moral guidelines than anyone else.
What is right or wrong is also based on the perception one has on the outside surroundings. How someone was raised also pays a significant role. People tend to live by the ways of their parents unless something drastically changes such as the development of psychological issues. We were all told by our parents to never steal, never to harm others, and to treat people the way you would like to be treated.
I consider myself to be a moral relativist. I consider all possible factors involved before I make a judgement on what I think is right or wrong.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Ideas on Perception
Prompt: Perception
I agree with Socrates by saying that perceptions can be true. If you have in fact have the knowledge of outside surroundings and influences you can in deed be correct. My defintion of perception is how one sees different situation based on what they believe to be true. Perceptions can be wrong however. Examples of why this statement is true would be someone not knowing all of the facts about a particular situation. If someone is given the wrong information, this could lead to a false perception. Although I believe perceptions can be true, I am strongly against acting on perception. I strongly feel that it is better to get first hand information from the direct source than it would be if given from a second hand source. Perceptions have changed some of the outcomings of people lives. Jury members often times base their vote on perception rather than evidence as they should do. Some defendants have served jail time based on false perceptions. This distorted information has caused the United States several millions of dollars of payback funds. Drugs can have a major impact on perception as well. For someone on drugs their thought process in not very clear. They don't no the difference in what is right or what is wrong. If we follow our perceptions, do we know that they are 100% correct. We all would like to think so, but actually they may not be. We can make then better however by paying close attention to our surroundings. We can also make them correct by getting views from all sides involved. Do research. Gather all the facts first before coming to a conclusion that could be incorrect and make someone look ignorant. Before making a perception, just think about this. How would you feel if someone had a perception of you that was incorrect. Wouldn't you want that person to get to know the real you? Or are you the type of person who can stand the looks of others that may pass you with a look of uncertainty. I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't because who knows that perception may not be a good one.
I agree with Socrates by saying that perceptions can be true. If you have in fact have the knowledge of outside surroundings and influences you can in deed be correct. My defintion of perception is how one sees different situation based on what they believe to be true. Perceptions can be wrong however. Examples of why this statement is true would be someone not knowing all of the facts about a particular situation. If someone is given the wrong information, this could lead to a false perception. Although I believe perceptions can be true, I am strongly against acting on perception. I strongly feel that it is better to get first hand information from the direct source than it would be if given from a second hand source. Perceptions have changed some of the outcomings of people lives. Jury members often times base their vote on perception rather than evidence as they should do. Some defendants have served jail time based on false perceptions. This distorted information has caused the United States several millions of dollars of payback funds. Drugs can have a major impact on perception as well. For someone on drugs their thought process in not very clear. They don't no the difference in what is right or what is wrong. If we follow our perceptions, do we know that they are 100% correct. We all would like to think so, but actually they may not be. We can make then better however by paying close attention to our surroundings. We can also make them correct by getting views from all sides involved. Do research. Gather all the facts first before coming to a conclusion that could be incorrect and make someone look ignorant. Before making a perception, just think about this. How would you feel if someone had a perception of you that was incorrect. Wouldn't you want that person to get to know the real you? Or are you the type of person who can stand the looks of others that may pass you with a look of uncertainty. I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't because who knows that perception may not be a good one.
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