Davis Kriesel

Philosophy 1010
4-20-2016
Group Paper
1. Do we have any ethical duties regarding what we do with our
money?
- Justin: Not really as you are the one who earns it, donated
money can be used for a corrupt purpose. So essentially he
is saying one earns the privilege of having their own money
and some people arent trust worthy when money is given for
charitable purposes.
- Alyssa: No because we earn it and do not promote laziness or
selfishness, however giving back is always a good thing. I
feel Alyssa expressed that she did not want people to exploit
assistance but did acknowledge that some are truly in need of
help.
- Vanessa: No because we are not responsible for others
lifestyles and the money may not even achieve anything.
Vanessa seemed to find strongly that to earn is to deserve
and had a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Kristen: We do not owe all that we have yet we owe what we
can afford to help others in need. We can look into charities to
ensure the money is doing good.
- Myself: I feel that we do owe what we can provide to others. In
the overall scheme the only true achievement one can have
that will be remembered by humanity is an act for humanity
so I feel that remaining conscious of the needs and struggles
of our fellow man is central to the future of mankind itself.
Basically we only really progress as a species when we all gain
knowledge.
2. Is it unethical to eat meat?
- Justin: It is a part of nature and the food chain, it feels bad but
I dont know how to supplement it properly. Also if everyone
were vegetarians then animas would die off of hunger and
overpopulation. Justin was of course making some valid
points asserting that eating meat is part of the food chain and
we are designed to eat it.
- Alyssa: We have no duty not to eat meat but do have a duty
to fix the practices to be humane. Alyssa expressing also that
humans are designed to eat meat, however that we do not
properly care for livestock in a humane fashion.
- Vanessa: We have no duty not to eat meat yet corporations
distributing and harvesting livestock need to regulated and
monitored. Not to mention supplementing for meat can cause
health issues later in life. Vanessa brings up some good

points that again we are okay to eat meat and again that the
businesses controlling the trade are not well monitored or
regulated which leads to the inhumane practices seen today.
- Kristen: We can eat meat in moderation and spend more
money on humane foods. Kristen thinks that the practices
will become more humane if we simply spend less on meat
and more on plant derived foods.
- Myself: I do not believe it is unethical to eat meat seeing as
we are in fact omnivores and so named for a reason.
Supplements are not sufficient and not necessary with the
proper moderation of meat in the diet. Arguably red meat and
white meat are different ball parks yet in general we should
strive to live of more fruits and vegetables because of their
vitamin rich contents and efficiency of production.
3. What is truth, how do we know if we have truth?
- Justin: To be 100% honest with no lying. No way to fully know
the truth but trust. Justin feels trust is necessary for the
knowing the truth because we cannot know the real answer so
we must trust the one we are satisfied with.
- Alyssa: Hard to determine, if it cannot be proved then it is
not true. We need scientific testing to establish fact. Alyssa
takes the point that science is needed to grip what is really
truth and through testing we can find that truth.
- Vanessa: I disagree that trust is needed for truth. I feel that
the truth can be felt out in situations. Vanessa again takes
the side of trust in her abilities to establish what is true and
what is not.
- Kristen: Its very subjective because there are physical core
truths that are facts and then some things come down to our
personal truth. Kristen seeming to take the side that each
person needs to follow their truth and find comfort with what
hey know but believes science also takes a heavy place in
truth.
- Myself: Personally I feel that science is the way to know truth
yet to also understand that science is simply a way to grasp
the truth that may not show the whole picture so to speak.
The argument is then invalid because if there is know way to
know truth then we cannot know if not knowing the truth is
the truth. A pretty stupid loop if you ask me. Better to just go
from what we know and expand our reach on truth.
4. How is good behavior vs. bad behavior determined?
- Justin: I think it is subjective by culture. People need to look
at others intentions and motivations. Justin advising he
thinks people need to look at what a person was trying to do
rather than their actions.

Alyssa: They are determined on individual value systems and

intentions are predominantly more important. Basically
saying that each person judges on different terms and that
ones intentions for their acts are normally more important.
- Vanessa: You are judged personally when you do not look at
the intention. Sometimes good intentions cause bad behavior.
Yet intention does not fully excuse behavior. Fairly self
explanatory as she says many people will be recognized for
good intentions and still judged given the consequences of
their actions.
- Kristen: It is subjective and judged personally and sometimes
bad intentions are needed to prevent bad action. Kristen
summing up once again that good and bad are judged
personally, by the individual faced with the distinction.
- Myself: I feel that good and bad are judged on your overall
actions. If one can morally be known for having good
intentions then he is perhaps less subject to judgment on their
actions. There is also a social and cultural influence on what
we judge to be acceptable and not which weighs out to each
person as a basis for what will form their opinions on the
matter.
5. If we do the right action for the wrong reason is it less moral?
- Justin: It is immoral to have bad reasons. Selfish gain is bad
even when helping others. It is wrong. Justin appeared to feel
very strongly here addressing that selfishness as a motive
corrupts the basis of the help you are doing.
- Alyssa: It is immoral but the intention only matters to you
because youre the only one to know it. It has an effect on
your consciousness. Alyssa says that only you will know the
intention as being bad so you will feel the repercussions.
- Vanessa: It is immoral and truth will come out. Your
intentions can cause psychological effects on you. She is
stating also that ones intentions are known to themselves and
the consciousness will be the negative effect here.
- Kristen: It is morally wrong and your intentions will show
others your morality. Saying basically that others can tell
your intentions as well as yourself.
- Myself: I do not feel it is any less moral unless a selfish gain is
made. If there is exploitation involved then it is obviously
immoral such as donating to charity in order to get a larger
sum than what was donated back on taxes. These types of
things are wrong and they are also usually easy to sniff out.
6. Are bad actions with good intent less moral?
- Justin: Immoral because wrongness effects everyone. Justin
saying that the bad actions have effects on others and others
cannot rely on your intentions.

Alyssa: It is still immoral whatever the circumstances

because it is looking at the benefit to one group not to all.
Saying that the bad that occurs in the action has an effect on
all involved and the intention is more for the person
committing the act.
- Vanessa: It depends on the situation, you could steal for
family, do what is personally best and instinctual. Vanessa
again countering saying that it would be situational to allow
for the proper good to come from and bad action.
- Kristen: It depends on the situation and is not wrong when
bad is done to survive. Premeditated bad actions could be a
negative thing though. Saying that each situation is different
again and that one must do what they need to survive.
- Myself: I have to agree with all of my class mates a bit
because I think that bad actions can be justified in many
circumstances. Survival or recompense are large causes of
bad actions so they can be justified. Any action done that
does more harm than good can be labeled as bad.
7. What does living a good life consist of?
- Justin: Its all about what makes you happy. Theres no point
to not being happy and you need to be able to look outside
your own situation. I fell Justin was referring to creating your
own happiness in being satisfied and comfortable with
situations youre in. He sees that being negative has no point
but a negative one itself.
- Alyssa: Whatever makes you happy other than what may
make others suffer. Alyssa showing the point that people
cannot infringe upon each others happiness. Also that you
need to pursue what youre interested in.
- Vanessa: Self actualization. Once you understand yourself
your life will be good. The good life isnt always happy but
sometimes it can be a positive influence. I fell that Vanessa
fully speaks for herself here.
- Kristen: Making a difference where needed is the good life.
Kristen gave the impression of wanting to help people for her
personal happiness. She seemed to care deeply about others,
a very admirable trait.
- Myself: I feel that the good life consists of being comfortable
in your situation. Wherever you may stand in life you have the
coping skills and supports you need to wake up with energy
and motivation and go to bed satisfied and proud. To help
others be able to do the same is the end goal of my
happiness.
8. What are the qualities of the superior individual?
- Justin: I dont believe that anyone is superior to another,
however role models are held. Justin is firm stating that we

are all equal in our ability to accomplish. At the same time as

equality there are standards held for those to aspire to.
- Alyssa: No one is superior. People should strive to better
themselves and help each other. Alyssa expresses equality
again stating that none are superior and that we should only
use advantages we have together.
- Vanessa: You would need to define superiority for yourself
because there would be people superior to you where you live
and grow. Vanessa takes a counter point to the others again
saying that there are in fact superior people and that they are
widespread. She suggests that rather than deny them we
address them.
- Kristen: No one is superior but superior qualities are where
you improve yourself. Everyone you meet will know something
you dont. The notion is offered here that some qualities are
superior in others and each person has their own abilities
beyond others.
- Myself: I feel that there are in fact superior people to others.
Not that they are deserving but that they posses attributes
that are more valued in society and so they are viewed as
superior. A man who can work 80 hours a week and do a
perfect job would be considered superior to a man who could
barely hold a job. These are just stigmas developed by our
society yet they are important to our success as they inspire
superiority and competition to further what we can do.
9. To what extent, if any, does happiness relate to living the
good/moral life? What is happiness?
- Justin: Happiness is subjective and can come from anything
good or bad. Some people are twisted and evil. Justin is
suggesting that some can derive happiness from an act that
spreads quite the opposite emotion for those involved.
- Alyssa: Being happy is just fine as long as you are not
harming others. Happiness is something you just need to
focus on. Alyssa seemed to carry the thought that a peaceful
existence is perfectly fine and that you should hold on to the
things that make you happy with focus.
- Vanessa: Happiness is more of a choice than a result of
something. People cannot make themselves happy. Vanessa
says that happiness of from ones perception of events yet
they cannot control their own emotions entirely.
- Kristen: You maintain happiness with your own action and
frame of mind. Happiness is just how you see things. Another
example of mind over matter for the pursuit of happiness.
- Myself: Happiness has everything to do with living the good
and moral life. One who is unhappy will ultimately seek means
to be happy. When they do they will do anything with the

worse the situation gets and morality is taken. I feel strongly

that people need to find the right place in life and never stop
working on themselves and for their love ones.
10.
To what extent does ones social duties relate to a moral
life?
- Justin: Helping others is a moral thing to do and gives
happiness. Justin saying that doing good provides a certain
good for yourself as well.
- Alyssa: It is subjective because some enjoy helping and some
are selfish so its all about perspective. Alyssa is regarding
the fact that some people dont care about fulfilling their
social duties and others hold it as a high priority.
- Vanessa: It can be necessary for your happiness and you can
find a symbiotic relationship with others if you do your part
where needed. Vanessa looks to find a coexistence with
everyone for performing their social duties and pulling their
own weight.
- Kristen: You have a moral obligation to others that relates to
the good life. You cant hold others to the same standards as
yourself. Kristen says that you cannot hold others to your
standards because their experiences are different than yours
and therefor they will know different things.
- Myself: Obviously social duties relate to the good life. If we
could have a perfect world where everyone did what rhey
needed to and went about it in an intelligent way then we
could truly accomplish things, however we cannot have that
world because we are imperfect. Our motivation for doing
these things must be moral so that we can all know its
importance.