We Are Not Alone on the Planet
Humanities
1) In November 2011 the House reaffirmed our national motto, “In God We Trust”. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Does having this tagline on our currency say anything about our ethical beliefs as a society?
Copy and post the below link to your browser to read the Washington Post article:
2) In a University of Miami seminar held on campus in the Fall of 2011 entitled, “So Many Religions, So Little Peace: Can Muslims, Jews and Christians Live Together in Peace?” a student suggested that he was struggling with his personal religious and even ethical compass, and felt some of the reasoning for this was that the Lord’s Prayer was removed from school.
What do you think: Should Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, etc., be taught in our public school system? Why or why not?
What are the pros and cons of doing this?
Can you make an argument for both sides of this discussion?
3) There are some in the political world that believe the EPA shackles business and makes them less able to compete. What ethical argument can you make for the removal of the EPA? Should we choose jobs over the environment? Is there any way to have both?
4) What does it mean to be a “true professional?” Does it mean taking a customer or client for all they’re worth? Does it mean making the most amount of money possible regardless of who is hurt in the process?
5) As Americans, we, like all other countries in the world, hold “world citizenship.” As one of the most affluent countries in the world, do we have an ethical and moral obligation to help end world hunger? Why or why not? What ethics supports your point of view?
6) In the US we have laws that prohibit the use of child labor and “sweatshops.” This, however, is not the case everywhere in the world. Can an ethical and moral argument be made for the use of child labor? Please explain your answer.
