An20171001 278

Discussion 1:
The topics that I have chosen are the following: (1) universal statement of human rights;
and (2) refugee (escaping persecution, war, or death) crises. I personally think that both of these
issues are important in our world and there is never a time that both of these topics became
irrelevant. Between these two, the topic on refugee is a more specific topic yet it tackles on many
issues that are relevant in the past and in the present time, especially with how the world
experienced wars in different centuries, which still exists until now.
The existence of war may also be avoided if we allow our own ethical principles to
govern our relationship with other people. The last stage in Kohlbergs six stages of morality
involves a Universal Ethical Principle which is a point in a persons mind where he or she
believes in a societal idea in favor of the people like equality, commitment to justice, etc.
(Omrod, 2010) wsThis is important for people to engage in a dialogue, experiment on different
methodologies, assess these methods and prove of its legitimacy. (Newton, 1998) These
scholarly writings are important on the topics herein described because it is important for a very
relevant issue like that of human rights for the readers to understand fully the topic through the
help of credible authors to whom everyone can rely on. Opinions matter but the perspective done
through a study which is approved by experts on the field could help more in making other
people understand the relevance of the topic.
There are three ways one can critically analyse sources to determine its credibility. First
is to look at the publisher of the article itself. Second is to research on the credentials of the
author. Last, read and scheme the entire article to see if there are inconsistencies. Upon
establishing the all the criteria mentioned, one may establish the credibility of a source, whether
in print or online.
1
Ormrod, T. M. (2010, July 20). Kohlberg's Three Levels and Six Stages of Moral Reasoning.
Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://www.education.com/reference/article/kohlbergs-
moral-reasoning/
Newton, L. (1998). Hale Chair in Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.rit.edu/~w-
ethics/resources/manuals/dgae1p7.html
Discussion 2
According to Newton, Ethics is about human beings (Newton, 1998). Also, Newton
emphasized that humans have minds, or as the philosophers call it, a rational nature (Newton,
1998). We have the sense of what is right or wrong. We have the capacity to discern whether our
acts are ethical or not. These ethical acts are in accordance with our nature as human beings and
these are done for all of us to prosper. Being ethical is also necessary for us to grow, for growth
is always attributed to the things that we do morally.
One ethical dilemma I had was during an exam when I failed to study efficiently. There were
temptations on how I can get by the exam with the assurance that I can indeed still get a high
grade. There is a decision point there on whether to copy answers from my classmates or to abide
by my ethical principles and do the right thing which is to be honest and take the exams based on
the knowledge I have at that moment. Fortunately, I did not give in to the temptation of copying
my classmates answers because the consequences of such immoral act can be more detrimental.
This is where the importance of liberal arts comes in. If it were not for the liberal arts subjects
in college, being morally upright in every challenging situation could be harder for me. With all
the liberal education that I took up in college, I learned to think holistically and be mature
enough to discern what is moral from immoral. This also implies that an educated man has the
2
duty to influence other people to be ethical. With all the knowledge that a college-educated
person has, he or she can help other people who did have the same education that he had to
further understand the true meaning of being ethical.
Reference:
Newton, L. (1998). Hale Chair in Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.rit.edu/~w-

ethics/resources/manuals/dgae1p7.html
Response to Peers:
(1) One of my classmates mentioned that to be ethical means to do more than what is
merely acceptable. An example would be that of influencing others by directly telling
them whether their acts are ethical or not, regardless if that person listens or not. I
agree to this statement because as human beings, we ought to not just practice ethics
but to also make others practice it. A personal act of one may have no major effect to
the society but an act which prompts others to be morally upright leads to a more
prosperous community of rational beings.
(2) Another classmate emphasized that to be ethical means to be responsible with ones
actions and that one should also think first before acting. This is also a relevant take
on being ethical because as rational beings, what is expected from us is that we can
think and discern right from wrong. We can eliminate our animalistic tendencies by
thinking. As human beings, we do have a decision point in each of our actions and
this is exclusive to rational beings. We may all have the tendency to be irrational
because of our emotions but the mind should always be dominant in every decision
point.
3
(3) According to one of my classmates, ethics has standard principles and does not vary
from one person to another or from one culture to another. Regardless of ones race,
place of birth or background, all men must have the sense of what is right or wrong.
This is true and if only this perspective on ethics is abided by all countries, there
could be fewer conflicts and if so, these conflicts can be resolved through dialogue
and not through the use of arms. By having a standard view of ethics, people may
give more importance to the value of life.
(4) Lastly, the importance of listening has been emphasized by one of my classmates
when it comes to being ethical. This listening is used for the conscience, which is
very essential with how human beings discern whether their acts are ethical or not. By
this conscience, men are directed towards choosing what their heart tells them to be
the right action in a particular situation. It is sad that most people do not listen to their
conscience and just act based on what benefits themselves, and not what is best for
the entire community. By listening to ones conscience, selfishness may be eradicated
and selflessness may prosper.

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Discussion 1:

experienced wars in different centuries, which still exists until now.

people understand the relevance of the topic.

Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://www.education.com/reference/article/kohlbergs-

Newton, L. (1998). Hale Chair in Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.rit.edu/~w-

is always attributed to the things that we do morally.

further understand the true meaning of being ethical.

Newton, L. (1998). Hale Chair in Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.rit.edu/~w-

merely acceptable. An example would be that of influencing others by directly telling

prosperous community of rational beings.

give more importance to the value of life.

the entire community. By listening to ones conscience, selfishness may be eradicated

and selflessness may prosper.

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