Are the virtues merely a means to happiness? What is virtue? How does one become virtuous? What does Aristotle mean when he says that virtue is a state of character? Give examples and explain.

Should organ sales be legal? Give the Kantian argument. Do you agree? Where would a utilitarian stand?

After viewing the film “Dirty Pretty Things“, I wanted to say right away that organs shouldn’t be sold legally due to many reasons. The practice was poorly done by those who made the incisions into the body; leaving the patient in a poor state of health. Given that these people weren’t even professionals was more alarming as well. Even if the patients gained money to live a better life, how long would that life last if the surgery left them for dead or more in danger of health risks? The film showed how the women were rendered defenseless against the men with power. Many of the men seemed to have abused their power in order for sexual favors of the women. This is another reason I wanted to point out, although both sides of the transaction gain something it isn’t right that the side with the leverage abuses their power for more than what they agree. It’s an example of exploitation.

Kantian argues against organ selling for the fact that it is abuse towards the one’s body. It disrespects the human body as a whole and puts a price on it when he believes that it’s wrong. The price of the organ is a selfish tactic. Kantian is against exploitation of humans, he is all for humanity and respecting one another. But Kant could also be seen from a yes point of view. Meaning that Kant would agree to this idea if it means that it’s protecting a life. As well as the idea that the person can use their body with all the freedom that they desire.

However, after speaking in a group collaboration I realized that in the end organ sales should be legal. If it is to be done the right way in a hospital with experts with minimized health risks. In the film the character Señor Juan came from a utilitarian point of view, but he had it all wrong. He perceived himself to be a hero helping those in need when in reality he did it for his own selfish reasons. In a utilitarian stand, both sides gain happiness through this course of action. The person receiving the organ gains their life back and the person selling their organ gains money to live better off. This transaction would lessen the overall donor list and decrease the illegal businesses. This act would then be the idea of helping others which Utility advocates. Although, reasons it would be against utility would be the fact that selling your organ could potentially hurt them in the long run. Meaning say you donate your kidney, you’re giving away one of your filtration systems in the human body. With that your immunity could lessen, there could be dietary restrictions due to the fact that your body isn’t performing at it’s best. There is also the possibility that the organ sold could be rejected in the patient’s body and the transaction wouldn’t be completed.

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Summarize and explain the second formulation of the categorical imperative commanding us to treat people (ourselves included) as “ends in themselves” and never merely as means. Consider intrinsic versus instrumental value and how that value plays a role in moral theory.

The idea of Kant’s Humanity Formulation of CI is that we as humans see each other in a way of respect. He argues that we intuitively can not treat other humans as a lowly viewed object of use or no use at all.

That there is always a use for people for without them we wouldn’t have the things we have now.

How does Mill avoid the paradox of hedonism- the notion that if we purse only our own happiness, we will never be happy? Is self-sacrifice a virtue in Utilitarianism? What role does the principle of impartiality play in Mill’s calculation?

Mill avoids the paradox of hedonism by advocating his ideals towards the true acts of happiness and impartiality. It can be said that one’s true happiness comes from moral good and the sensation of doing the right thing. Our body tends to give off a feeling of ‘goodness’ to match to actions we decide in our lives. Hedonism is an ideal that can be believed by many, even then it’s seen as a punishment for not being self less.

When did you first realized there was true injustice in the world? Tell a story that describes either your first encounter with an injustice or a significant one.

At first I couldn’t think of a time where I had witnessed an act of true injustice. I was drawing blanks. I could’ve spoken of the times my mother wouldn’t allow me to play video games growing up. Her reasoning was that it was a “boy’s game” and I had no reason to like them. That part of my life didn’t resonate in me, even though it wasn’t right. Gender shouldn’t dictate what appeals to you.

There was a bigger injustice that consumed my childhood, an event that repetitively felt wrong. I’d like to say my whole life I have lived in an injustice environment. I won’t get justice for the years of sexual abuse I experienced because I choose to keep chaos from erupting within my family. The person who abused me is a family member. Although I spoke up once I felt safe, my parents didn’t take action with authority. Their idea was to disassociate from this person and never let them into our household again. For me, this was good enough. I had a home now, a safe place. Was it right to end it there? For the sake of keeping my family from possibly tearing apart, absolutely. To keep formality and a good reputation so relatives wouldn’t hear of this tragic situation, of course. For my mental health? No. It took a toll on me hugely. Living through that experience was horrible. And the aftermath was just as hard. It wasn’t right at all. It was just easier for my parents if this wasn’t shared with anyone else. Growing up I didn’t see much justice for the sexual abuse. Victims weren’t believed in. There are countries where women are seen as objects for other’s entertainment. It’s frightening when your eyes are opened to the problems of the world. And Sexual abuse is one of them. The singer, Ke$ha, for example; fought hard for her case for years and got denied plenty of times. But through her struggles she found her strength. And her songs empower many today, like myself. I might never get justice for my childhood. But I will heal. I will better myself. 

1) Children are misunderstood and that leads them to become victims.

Other group’s sentence: 2) Traumatic childhood experiences shape individuals perspectives.

3) Its injustice that children’s perspectives are changed due to traumatic experiences from when they were misunderstood.

(Word Count: 394)