Some of the answers are copied and pasted from the websites referred to in the webquest on hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/jwelcher/ then follow the link to Sociology 12 then Morality Webquest.
Where there is an X in place of an answer that answer is fairly subjective – meaning that several answers could fit and you should take your own jot notes in class.
I will not provide you with this sheet as a photocopy. If you would like a copy with more specific information feel free to copy it to your files from the website or print it. When we review the information in class you are expected to participate in discussion and not just copy this information. You are also expected to have your copy of your information with you from class.
Remember that if you have any questions, comments, or concerns it is your responsibility to come see me.
What does it mean to be a moral person?
X
Does a moral person have to be religious? Can morality come from sources outside religion? Does a person have to believe in a deity to be moral?
X
What was the purpose of the 10 commandments? Is there a reason for their order? What are the 10 commandments?
X
Bible list of the Ten Commandments
According to the Islamic Religion, what is a righteous man? What are the main categories of moral behaviour?
A righteous man is someone who not only obeys the main concepts of religion and the main rules for behaviour but someone who lives as a good citizen. A righteous person involves themselves in charity, truth, and social organizations. A righteous person does not question their faith.
Honest, Sincere & Dependable, Deeds match words
Who is the Dalai Lama? Why is he not in Tibet? What does he say about happiness? How do we start building compassion? What is altruism? Why is it important?
Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet
Persecution of the local population, invited to an event without bodyguards a signal of his coming death
From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment.
We should begin by removing the greatest hindrances to compassion: anger and hatred. As we all know, these are extremely powerful emotions and they can overwhelm our entire mind. Nevertheless, they can be controlled. If, however, they are not, these negative emotions will plague us - with no extra effort on their part! - and impede our quest for the happiness of a loving mind
The desire to do good for the sake of doing good
Who was Plato? Plato wrote "the Republic". What does he say about being a good citizen? What should a person do to be a good citizen? Do you think that it is enough?
An aristocrat, thinker, born 428 BC, Athens (Greece)
A good man is good at doing whatever it is that a man is supposed to do
Pays debts, helps friends/hurts enemies, advantage to the stronger,
Who was Thomas Hobbes? What did he believe about government? What did he believe about civil unrest? What was the driving force of men?
Thomas Hobbes was born in London in 1588. He received his college education at OxfordUniversity in England, where he studied classics.
Governments were created, according to Hobbes, to protect people from their own selfishness and evil.
If the government or King did not listen to the people, the people had a right to come together and force the issue – civil unrest or civil war was justified against an evil king or evil government, as each was made of humans it was possible
Men are selfish and evil at the core
Who was John Locke? Where did he say we should search for truth? According to Locke, what is the justification for majority rule?
John Locke (b. 1632, d. 1704) was a British philosopher, Oxford academic and medical researcher
In reason
The government is there to serve the people and their voice is heard through majority rule or majority decision there is a duty to society by the government that is exercised by majority rule
Who was Lawerence Kohlberg? (Remember he was one of the people we gathered information about before in our one page primers.) What are his stages of moral development? How do they fit with our society? What about our school society?
Lawrence Kohlberg (October 25, 1927 – January 19, 1987) was an Americanpsychologist born in Bronxville, New York, who served as a professor at the University of Chicago, as well as HarvardUniversity
Moral Development - Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
X
How should we behave? Should we act to better ourselves? Should we act for the good of the group? Should we act just to do good things and help others?
X