We will have a test over the Ethics unit on Monday. It will cover these topics:
- Introduction to Ethics
- Just War Theory
- Moral Absolutism and Relativism
- Jeremy Bentham
- Immanuel Kant
- Ayn Rand
- Niccolo Machiavelli
Debate class section.
The four topics for the gun control debate:
- Should the government restrict the sale of assault weapons?
- Should stronger background checks be in place for all gun sales?
- Should schools permit/encourage armed teachers for student safety?
- Does gun ownership increase safety and protect lives?
We will be debating the death penalty in the United States for our first debate, discussing these questions:
- Is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment?
- Is the death penalty racist in its application?
- Does the death penalty lead to the killing of innocent people?
- Does the death penalty prevent crime?
Resources
As the school year comes to and end and summer break begins for most of you, the words of “Uncle” Walt Whitman seem especially appropriate:
“This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.”
Have a wonderful summer. Experience dirt between your toes, sunlight on your faces, and wisdom in your minds.
We’ll be debating the Affordable Care Act for the final. Three questions:
Is the Affordable Care Act constitutional?
Will the Affordable Care Act reduce health care costs?
Will the Affordable Care Act improve health care in the United States?