APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APELCers 1) investigated word meaning, and 2) processed an essay.
First and third APELCers, we reviewed your answers to the exercises and questions related to the Gregory text, and then you attacked Ralph Waldo Emerson’s arguments in “Self-reliance”. We discussed the objective or subjective nature of morality; out of two class periods today, two students argued that the violent sexual assault of one or more human beings on another, even a mother and son, isn’t “bad”; that is, roughly, we can’t judge the right or wrong of such acts because we’re not the actors or perpetrators in such situations. (Those students should correct me if I’ve misrepresented them.) Most students argued, though, that such attacks are bad regardless of era or geography; that is, violent sexual assault is always and unequivocally wrong at all points of space and time, no matter cultural tradition or proclivity.
I would encourage you to think critically about what the subjectivity or objectivity of right and wrong could and would “mean”. I mentioned the following stories in class, and, as you read them, think hard which―absolute or relative morality―matches your experience, reflects reality accurately, and is logically sustainable:
- “Family of victims reveals some of gruesome details of attack”, Palm Beach Post
- “3 get life in prison for gang rape of Fla. mother”, Palm Beach Post
- “Richmond girl raped outside homecoming dance”, San Jose Mercury News
- “Richmond High gang rape, lack of action from onlookers outrages community”, San Jose Mercury News
Attend your homework. It seems like a lot but it’s not (that doesn’t mean you should wait to start it). Have a great weekend and be safe this Saturday―trick or treat suckas!