[PUBBY]

Now to the fifth installment of Michael Sandel's series on Justice which explores in a series of about 13 hours of lectures, how political morality has evolved - as taught at Harvard.

This next piece explores the nature of the military, the draft and even motherhood - as the prof explores what money can buy.

For instance, and there are a few poll questions in this one, is it proper to sell a kidney? How about being a surrogate mother? How about paying someone to go to war for you as many a wealthy northerner did in the Civil War. Heck, should it be legal to buy sex (or sell it?) Is there a difference.

Here's the lecture:



pubby

[PUBBY]

I'm a bit surprised ... it would seem that if a pcommer approached another pcommer and suggested a roll in the hay for money, there is a 75% chance - if the poll is correct - that they'd make a market for sex on the spot.

And, if the encounter was productive, at least half would be okay with the mommy putting the infant on the auction block.

Somehow, here on the buckle of the bible belt, I don't think the early poll results recorded so far would hold.

pubby

[ca2ga]

Or maybe people voted the opposite of what you wanted on purpose to show how ridiculous these videos are? I know I did.

[PUBBY]

ca2ga, on 28 July 2011 - 08:20 AM, said:

Or maybe people voted the opposite of what you wanted on purpose to show how ridiculous these videos are? I know I did.

What makes you think I want anyone to vote any particular answer. That is about the most absurd thing I've ever heard. I mean that is like me saying, I want you to be careful crossing the street so you go out and jump in front of a car because you just want to do the opposite of what I say you ought to do.

That is ridiculous but hey, don't play in traffic. (Who knows it might work )

pubby

[ca2ga]

What's absurd is the subject title. Morality taught by liberal institutions.

[PUBBY]

This is a bit more than a classic survey of philosophy of the enlightenment but the key folks presented have included, who? Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant, and John Locke come to mind. I know we're in for a few more thinkers from the enlightenment ... but you have to know that Locke provided much of the intellectual basis - thought regarding documents like the Declaration of Independence.

But if you find it unappealing, that's fine. A lot of folks are baffled by philosophy or simply disinterested. Same could be said for Picasso, Rembrandt, Mozart, Beethoven or even the Beatles. People are different but usually they have enough respect for themselves to avoid things they find repugnant. Then again, others are gluttons for punishment.

pubby

[eym_sirius]

I'm fine with a discussion of philosophy, but I don't see this series promoting very much discussion.

It should be condensed into one thread, IMO, or transferred to a blog on the subject for future reference.

Addtionally, I was a bit put off by the title, "Morality as taught in the Ivy League" What person is going to sit through hours of


lectures on morality? The image that comes to mind is a street preacher scripture-torturing a prisoner tied to a chair and begging for mercy.

He looks like Tony Perkins in "Crimes of Passion"
Caution: language

[The Postman]

eym_sirius, on 28 July 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

I'm fine with a discussion of philosophy, but I don't see this series promoting very much discussion.

It should be condensed into one thread, IMO, or transferred to a blog on the subject for future reference.

Addtionally, I was a bit put off by the title, "Morality as taught in the Ivy League" What person is going to sit through hours of


lectures on morality? The image that comes to mind is a street preacher scripture-torturing a prisoner tied to a chair and begging for mercy.

He looks like Tony Perkins in "Crimes of Passion"
Caution: language

I think conservatives are becoming more and more uneasy with society. It seems to me that demographics are changing, and conservatives are having to get out of their comfort zone. The tea party is a shining example of having to get out of their comfort zone and start standing up for what they think is right.

But, if I have to act like a conservative, I DON'T WANT BE RIGHT!

[PUBBY]

eym_sirius, on 28 July 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

I'm fine with a discussion of philosophy, but I don't see this series promoting very much discussion.

It should be condensed into one thread, IMO, or transferred to a blog on the subject for future reference.

Addtionally, I was a bit put off by the title, "Morality as taught in the Ivy League" What person is going to sit through hours of


lectures on morality? The image that comes to mind is a street preacher scripture-torturing a prisoner tied to a chair and begging for mercy.

He looks like Tony Perkins in "Crimes of Passion"
Caution: language

Eym:

Thank you for your constructive criticism. I did view all the lectures and I think that was pretty representative of the experience folks get attending lectures in college. The use of the Ivy League link was to both highlight the source (Harvard) and show that the education that exists is not so highfalutin that we mere mortals are out of our class

I did put it into individual posts largely because that was more like the weekly lectures. That it took me about two weeks to post them all was also a consideration. I will move the topics to a separate forum here before long.

TP: I think conservatives were well represented and the point of view given due consideration in the lecture(s). Indeed, I think that most conservatives would be surprised at logic that ascribes to their position. Unfortunately, I think that the knee-jerk reaction that this wuz Harvard and that meant it was pinko liberal kept a lot of folks from even clicking the page. All I can say is that the old horse led to water, their failure to take advantage of the opportunity was their loss.

pubby

[ca2ga]

PUBBY, on 25 August 2011 - 12:42 PM, said:

Eym:

Thank you for your constructive criticism. I did view all the lectures and I think that was pretty representative of the experience folks get attending lectures in college. The use of the Ivy League link was to both highlight the source (Harvard) and show that the education that exists is not so highfalutin that we mere mortals are out of our class

I did put it into individual posts largely because that was more like the weekly lectures. That it took me about two weeks to post them all was also a consideration. I will move the topics to a separate forum here before long.

TP: I think conservatives were well represented and the point of view given due consideration in the lecture(s). Indeed, I think that most conservatives would be surprised at logic that ascribes to their position. Unfortunately, I think that the knee-jerk reaction that this wuz Harvard and that meant it was pinko liberal kept a lot of folks from even clicking the page. All I can say is that the old horse led to water, their failure to take advantage of the opportunity was their loss.

pubby

And some people just feel compelled to post YouTube videos (or nonsensical rants) to make themselves feel smarter or more enlightened then anyone else.

[The Postman]

PUBBY, on 25 August 2011 - 12:42 PM, said:

Eym:

Thank you for your constructive criticism. I did view all the lectures and I think that was pretty representative of the experience folks get attending lectures in college. The use of the Ivy League link was to both highlight the source (Harvard) and show that the education that exists is not so highfalutin that we mere mortals are out of our class

I did put it into individual posts largely because that was more like the weekly lectures. That it took me about two weeks to post them all was also a consideration. I will move the topics to a separate forum here before long.

TP: I think conservatives were well represented and the point of view given due consideration in the lecture(s). Indeed, I think that most conservatives would be surprised at logic that ascribes to their position. Unfortunately, I think that the knee-jerk reaction that this wuz Harvard and that meant it was pinko liberal kept a lot of folks from even clicking the page. All I can say is that the old horse led to water, their failure to take advantage of the opportunity was their loss.

pubby

It seems that my individual personality is so outrageous, to a lot of people, as to not matters whether I am a Liberal, a Libertarian, an Egalitarian, or a Utilitarian. But, I certainly understand. If I were one of the people, who personally attacks my character, I would would attack people's personal character, myself.