ETHC 445 Week 3 Discussion 1

ETHC 445 Week 3 Discussion 1 | Assignment Help | Devry University

Week 3: The Social Contract

Social contract theorists say that morality consists of a set of rules governing how people should treat one another that rational beings will agree to accept for their mutual benefit on the condition that others agree to follow these rules as well.

Thomas Hobbes looked to the distant past to observe a primitive "state of nature" in which there was no such thing as morality. He found that this self-interested way of being was "nasty, brutish, and short," that is, a perpetual state of warfare. He outlined the civilized solution to this problem in the form of a logical syllogism.

1.      We are all self-interested.

2.      Each of us needs to have a peaceful and cooperative social order to pursue our interests.

3.      We need moral rules in order to establish and maintain a cooperative social order.

Therefore, self-interest motivates us to establish moral rules.

John Locke disagreed. He refuted Hobbes' claim that early civilizations were always "at war" by pointing to historical examples of people in that "state of nature" and praising their efforts to maintain both their individuality and a fair society. 

Locke set forth the view that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of its citizens. He found that when governments fail in that task, citizens have the right and sometimes the duty to withdraw their support and even to rebel.

So, which philosophy is most like your own? Is human nature animalistic or noble? How can you tell?

Let's make this practical, too: Please research the changes in federal law and process in regard to airport security in the United States since the events of 9/11/2001:

·         What rights or liberties have we given up for safety?

·         Is that safety real or only perceived?

·         What other rights or liberties would you be willing to give up for real or perceived safety, and why? Remember to find evidence to support your claims.

An essential part of this course's grade will be derived from your discussion posts' quality and depth in the Forums. The professor will post an original question based on an aspect of the course content or its application; each student will be expected to post a response to that initial prompt. Then, students will read and reply to classmates' posts; you are required to respond to at least two classmates, responding to more is welcomed and encouraged. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the content in every discussion. Simplistic posts will not receive credit, so please be aware of your posts' depth before posting. You must read all the posts by other students and the instructor in the week's class discussion area. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the content in every post. Remember DeVry's Academic Integrity - Plagiarism. Be original with your posts and cite your scholarly sources - no wiki, blogs, bogus author, URL, etc.