Q.
On the case studies, are you going to tell us when they are
due and give us some small guidelines or do we need to get
started on it asap?
A.
Yes and yes.
Q.
I was just wondering if you could perhaps clarify what a public servant is, at
least as far as the case study is concerned.
A.
Someone who is entrusted by the public to do a certain job.
A mayor and a police officer would be examples. A company
president or worker would not be.
Q.
I am confused about the case study. Do we just leave the
template like it is and type underneath each heading, or do
we include all the headings in essay form? And what is
considered a BROADER ethical issue?
A.
Yes, type under each heading. Some headings will require paragraphs underneath, but some
may just be sentences. A broader ethical issue is something that applies not just in this
case, e.g. bribery, confidentiality, obligations of accountants, etc.
Q.
Just to play a little "devil's
advocate": In class, the subject of
demonic possession was brought up during the discussion of persons vs. human beings. As I
understood it, the point being made was that the individual under possession would be
regarded as only a human being, as it was being used as a puppet by the demon. Now, we
have already made the judgment that angels are considered persons. Hence, demons would
also be considered persons as well. Also, by the same measure, if angels and demons are
both persons, assuming one believes in such things, then the human soul must also be
considered a person. Now, if a human being under demonic control is not a person, then
would not a human being under the control of a soul also not be considered a person?
A.
Yes. Good point. The demon counts as a person. And a body controlled by a demon would
be a person. It is not the same person as the human when controlled in the normal
way. And a human soul, if there is such, is a person on this account. And if there are
disemodied souls (which Descartes and Socrates both thought possible) these would be
persons on this account.
Q.
On Wednesday the 31st will we start Confidentiality or will we continue our
discussion on deception?
A.
Just what I was wondering. I'm thinking confidentiality.
Richard Lee,
rlee@.uark.edu,
last modified: 30 October 2007