You've seen the "WWJD" bracelets, right? The ones that ask "What Would Jesus Do?" Well, in COMM 337, I want us to get familiar with the ethical theories of Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and the Utilitarian philosphers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. So we're going to look at an issue -- actually a couple of them -- that are in today's news and ask ourselves, "what would ___________ do/say" about it?
The issue: President Obama was taped at an off-the-record session saying he thought Kanye West acted like a "jackass" at a recent music awards ceremony. It got onto a network TV news Twitter feed --briefly -- and independently the TMZ celebrity gossip website. Story here with a link to the audio.
It's clearly a violation of the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics to record off-the-record comments.
But what would ______________ (insert philosopher of your choice) say about publishing the remark? Does TMZ have the same ethical standards as a mainsteam outlet?
What about Kayne West's tantrum itself? What would Aristotle, Kant and the boys say about that? How does their philosophy apply?
A weblog for Pete Ellertsen's mass communications students at Benedictine University Springfield.
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About Me
- Pete
- Springfield (Ill.), United States
- I'm a retired English, journalism and cultural studies teacher at Springfield College in Illinois (acquired by Benedictine University and subsequently closed). I coordinate jam sessions for the "Clayville Pioneer Academy of Music" at Clayville Historic Site and the Prairieland Strings dulcimer club, and I sing in the choir and the contemporary praise team at Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield. On Hogfiddle I post links and video clips for our sessions and workshops on the mountain dulcimer (a.k.a. "hog fiddle"), as well as research notes on folklore and cultural studies, hymnody and traditional Anglo-Celtic and Scandinavian music. I also posted assignments and readings in my interdisciplinary humanities classes. The Mackerel Wrapper (now on hiatus), carried assignments and readings for my mass comm. students. I started teaching b/log when I chaired SCI-Benedictine's assessment committee, and reopened it as the privatization of public schools grew increasingly troubling and closer to home.
13 comments:
Aristotle would say that Kanye, while accomplished, hasn't reached his full potential. And that acting in an overly crude way will retard is progress as a person rather than help him.
Everyone has their own style, but the best way to live a meaningful and accomplished life is to walk the middle line, not be too crude, or too nice.
Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all.
Aristotle would think that Kanye is not a moral person. Even though Kanye knows what he should and shouldn't do, he doesn't act upon it.
Aristotle would say that Kanye West's parents did not train him how to behave moral towards other people. People are social animals programed to live harmoniously, and Kanye is not acting harmonious.
I dont think that aristotle would jump to conclusions about this topic, but I do think that he would react in a way that Kayne wouldnt be used to. I do think that Aristotle would tell kayne to be in Taylor Swifts shoes when he was up there addressing the audience, and how it made her feel.
Aristotle would probably tell kanye that what he did was unaccaptable and that Kanye does not live life as one should, even though he had som alcohol in his system. Aristotle believes that people should only live by doing human kind good and providing happiness to others.
As we know Kanye was not a nice person to step out on Taylor's spotlight.
Aristotle would be really disappointed in Kanye (just like 90% of the world is right now) for not thinking before he acted. He's an adult, he knows what he should and shouldn't do and what will hurt somebody's feelings (particularly that of a 19-year-old girl), yet he still acted like a huge jerk.
Aristotle believed, everything was made of unique "substance" and carried "essential" or "accidental" properties. He would of said, "You've made a mistake and that is what humans are notorious for doing. Now how are you going to react when you make your next mistake!"
In my opinion, i think that Aristotle would consider Kanye West's comment as being disrespectful, but at the same time he'd consider the fact that he's only human like the rest of us. At one point in all of our lives, we have spoken out of turn or misappropiately in a situation. And Aristotle would also asked for what reason did he act the way that he did? Was there a purpose for what he did, and if so why? I dont believe that he did it simply becasue he felt as if Beyonce should have won the award, but maybe because he felt closer to Beyonce than he did to Swift.And to most, Taylor Swift isnt as popular as Beyonce or Pink. If he really wanted to show appreciation for his wanting for Beyonce to win, he should have definitely handled it a different way. Maybe after the VMA s, he could have simply talked to Beyonce and expressed his thoughts about the award outcome. In his situation, it was simply unnecessary for him to interrupt her in between one of the biggest moments in her life- her first VMA award-acceptance speech. Kanye West will probably never experience what Taylor experienced on that night in front of millions of people, therefore he will never realize just how bad he made her look and feel.
Aristotle would accept Kayne for his senseless mistake but would probably highly criticize his rude acts on that occasion.
My comments ...
First, I like what you posted and I think we're off to a good start. In teaching this course, I've decided the old philosophers, guys like Aristotle, Kant and the utilitarians, do matter. And what they said 150 years ago, 200 years ago or 2,500 years ago still matters. Mostly because what they said is so basic. But also because it gives me some principles, some touchstones, some yardsticks I can get out when I have my own ethical decisions to make.
So I'm thinking if Aristotle and Kanye West sat down over a bottle of ouzo after West's outburst during the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony over the weekend.
"So, Kayne," Aristotle might say, no doubt reaching for his copy of a handout from Dave Robinson's Intro to Philosophy. "By acting moderately, people can become 'happy' as accomplished human beings and good citizens. Do you think belting down that bottle of Hennessey was a real good way to get happy? And how much did you drink? Were you exercising moderation? How would the golden mean apply here?"
West frowns and reaches for the bottle of ouzo. Aristotle notices and quietly slides it back to his side of the table.
"In moderation, Kayne," he says. "Didn't your mama teach you be moral in your behavious towards other children and adults. [Please note: This is essentially what Jay Leno said when West was on his show Monday night.] We're social animals, and we have to be sensible and moderate in our dealings with others. The same goes for the Hennessey."
And so it might go.
Now ... can you imagine West sitting down with Herr Professor Doktor Immanuel Kant of the University of Königsberg over a bottle of schnapps and discussing the categorical imperative? That's the kind of thing I want us to do in COMM 317 this semester.
... but without the bottle of schnapps, of course.
Aristotle would say that Kanye has a lot left to learn. That he has lived his life in excess and that he needs to learn balance. Only through living a virtuous, moderate life can one be virtuous and moderate.
mine has to deal with Kant
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