Written and Narrated by Professor Deni Elliott

QUESTION

.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/launchLink.jsp?course_id=_695_1&content_id=_36250_1&mode=view”>Activity 12 – Moral Agent & Moral Subject
1. Introduction:
Written and Narrated by Professor
Deni Elliott
More than 2000 years ago Aristotle
and other wealthy Athenian men decided how people like themselves should treat
one another. Everyone should be free to pursue their own idea of the good life
as long as that persons choice did not interfere with somebody elses pursuit
of the good life. That idea of “dont cause unjustified harm” was
probably the first statement of Western Moral Philosophy.
Its only natural that we should
first begin our ethical inquiry by thinking about ourselves, and how we want to
be treated by the people around us. Take a few minutes to watch children on a
playground. You dont have to wait long before you hear somebody yell,
“Thats not fair!” or “Cheater.” By the time that kids are
about 5, they begin to make rules for how to take turns and how to give special
privilege to those younger or less able. These children are practicing moral
agency.
The difference between a moral agent
and a subject of moral worth is this: A moral agent is someone who has the
power to intentionally cause harm to another. A subject of moral worth is any
being or natural system that is vulnerable “ it can be harmed. Its easy to see
that children, pets, and even natural resources like water are all subjects of
moral worth. They are all clearly vulnerable to harms caused by those who have
power over them.
Throughout our history and across
cultures, there have been people who were stripped of their ability to have
moral agency or sometimes even to count as subjects of moral worth because of
inescapable characteristics. That includes people from minority ethnic, racial
or religious groups, women, people who are lesbian, gay, or transgendered, and
people with disabilities. The moral obligation of moral agents is to use their
power with care and never, intentionally cause unjustified harm.
2. Task “ Watch the following videos:

.youtube.com/watch?v=dMvGQNPM2z0″>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMvGQNPM2z0
3. Activity:
1. Name some abilities that are
essential for someone to be a moral agent.
2. What is necessary for someone to
be a subject of moral worth?
3. What is the difference between
someone being a subject of moral worth and someone being included in the moral
community?

ANSWER

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