Sample Replies to a Classmate’s Discussion Post

(1) Excellent post, Jordan! I also agree with Dr. Saxe’s moral arguments, as it seems strange and paternalistic that the State can determine what people can and cannot do with their own bodies, especially regarding something as intimate and important as one’s death. I think that as long as there are robust informed consent processes prior to undergoing physician-assisted suicide, this is an ethically justifiable practice that should be legalized. Do you think that all U.S. states will eventually legally allow physician-assisted suicide?

(2) Respectfully, Jordan, I must disagree with your post. While perhaps physician-assisted suicide itself is not bad, I believe that there are serious concerns regarding physician-assisted suicide potentially being a “slippery slope” into more nefarious and immoral practices, such as active euthanasia and/or involuntary active euthanasia of the mentally ill. Are you not concerned that legalization of physician-assisted suicide could lead into more problematic practices later on?

Please make 2 very good responses to these 2 classmates

Response 2) Hello everyone,

This week, I viewed the Ted Talk video The Hidden Reason for Poverty the World Needs to Address Now. Gary Haugen discusses how a huge reason behind the large amount of poverty in this world is because people are trapped in systems of violence in their own country. He also blames it on lack of law enforcement, stating that there are laws to protect all people, including people who are impoverished, from violence however there is not a concentration on making a less corrupt law enforcement program. Because of this, people continue to be impoverished because they are constantly included in violence that sets them back and their government does nothing about it because they invest in private security instead of public security (Ted Talk, 2015). Because he is talking about what he has witnessed through his experiences of travelling around as a civil rights lawyer, I would say he is biased but his information is good to know.

While I do agree that the lack of uncorrupt law enforcement in developing countries is an issue, I think there are many other broken systems in developing countries that contribute to their poverty level. Some argue that global poverty is just not our fault and feeling guilty about it is only appropriate if you have done something wrong. Some people think that their consumer choices do not affect the poor. But what if you buy a pair of shoes that is being made in a sweatshop? If everyone stopped buying those shoes, would those people even have a job, which would create more poverty? Philosopher Thomas Pogge states that its the systems in the world that are rigged against the poor and large corporations and conditions that were created by historical injustices continue to contribute to poverty (Mackinnon and Fiala 2018, 563).

Most western governments agree that everyone should have basic human rights and that having these rights is central to creating a strong economy, which I agree with. But there are two schools of thought: the idea of global justice, where justice for people is universal and primary and then self-interest, where people think that national interests are primary (Mackinnon and Fiala 2018, 567). I think one of the biggest issues in poverty worldwide is being too focused on our own interests. Corporations from rich nations tend to disadvantage those in developing nations by promoting sweat shops and low wages when they turn around and sell their products for hundreds of percent more than what it cost to make the product. I think, overall, there needs to be a bigger focus on the broken systems in developing countries to help lower poverty and bigger corporations need to be a part of that because they have financial power.

Response1) What is the speaker’s point of view about the topic? Is the speaker biased?

Humanitarian Roy Beck in his talk Immigration, World Poverty, and Gumballs demonstrates how immigration could never be an effective way to end poverty and world suffering. Immigration simply cannot accommodate all of those in need, not even close. We need to help them where they are.

What ethical issues and ethical reasoning are argued?

Roy demonstrates an overall utilitarian and global justice view on world poverty. Global justice demonstrates that “global poor require reparation and compensation; positive right to subsistence” (Mackinnon and Fiala 2018, 567).

Do you think that world poverty issues have moral and ethical implications? Why or why not?

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, argues that it is a moral duty to help the poor, and so it would be immoral not to help them (Mackinnon and Fiala 2018, 563).

If we are to focus on a global economy and global justice system for overall happiness, then yes there is a moral implication. Those focused on self-interest must see the benefit and enrichened economy from these newly educated and wealthy people, they would be buying into our goods and further strengthening international trade and resources.

Do you agree with the speaker’s point of view?

Yes, rather than adding more immigration which could never fix the problem of global poverty, we need to help these human beings thrive and prosper so they can become self-reliant. Once we establish their infrastructure we will see the returns in the form of global trade and global happiness.