Presumption of Innocence. In discussions about personal privacy and government surveillance, one sometimes hears “If you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about.” What is your […]
Workplace Surveillance. Imagine your boss has decided that all phone calls, e-mails, and other communications will be recorded and monitored. What assumptions is the boss making about the employees? Is […]
“Victimless” Crime. Can the government require you to a wear seat belt while driving? What is the argument that it can, and what is the argument that it cannot? How […]
Ethical Progress. The outlawing of slavery and extending voting rights to women seem to indicate that ethics can have beneficial results. Give an example from the past that indicates a […]
Focus of the Final Paper In this course, we look at classical ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. We also look at the different kinds of perspectives on […]
Relativism. Give an example of something that one culture might regard as a virtue that another culture might not. Explain why this could lead to relativism. Egoism and Altruism. Psychological […]
Language and Attitudes. According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, we think through language. The words we use to talk about the world reinforce our attitudes and, occasionally, our prejudices. Changing our […]
Personal Constructs. To get a clearer sense of the kinds of judgments you make, think of specific people who fit the following categories: a family member, a teacher, a male […]
Not Communicating. During this week, select one hour of the day when you are with other people and try not to communicate. During this hour, try your best not to […]
Relationship Development. Think about the progression of relationships in your life. How is your communication different when you first meet a stranger, when you get to know the person and […]