Natural law theory bases morality on human reason and human nature. That is, we can look to the elements of nature, including human behavior, to help guide our ethical decisions. However, philosophers interpret what is ânaturalâ differently. Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau held that humans are naturally compassionate and altruistic. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes regarded humans as wholly self-interested and suspicious of one another. Philosopher John Locke believed the mind is a tabula rasaâa blank slateâat birth, and that there is no universal agreement regarding principles perceived as innate. Human rights are primarily based on natural law. Most of us believe we have a right to be free, treated humanely, and respected as human beings; however, people do disagree on what rights natural law accords us.
Alternately, the social contract theory is based on the notion that a voluntary, unanimous agreement exists among a societyâs members to obey governmental laws formed by those they collectively select. It is not a formal contract, but a moral code that enables us to each pursue our own self-interests, understanding that others feel permission to do the same. Ideally, this will serve to create a peaceful society. The principle of equality considers the concepts of justice, social benefits and harms, and real versus perceived differences between people.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
Prepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:
Media sometimes serves to solidify or undermine our understanding of the social contract in terms of race, class or social equality. Current topics of racial profiling, police brutality, and other issues of social inequality often appear in media. Are philosophers Carole Pateman and Charles Mills correct that the social contract is not inclusive of all people in our society? How do your views correlate with the philosophy of Rousseau, Hobbes or Locke?
Please share a specific example to a political cartoon that best illustrates your ethical approach. Please post an image of your cartoon so everyone can read it.
Sample Solution
important factor from which presidents sought to secure support, if not indeed control, because they mediated the relationship between the president and the public in a way that could build support for the Presidency. Newspapers built and maintained the infrastructure of information in the United States and held on to this position for close to 70 years. âThe opening or closing of newspapers has long been linked to the health of democracyâ (Gentzkow et al. 2980) and they maintained the relationship between the people and the president. In the 1920s the introduction of new technologies brought with it new communications tools that would change how people received, interacted and discussed information. The introduction of the radio gradually reduced the importance of the newspaper, especially as they came down in price, because news spread much more quickly and immediately over the radio than was the case with newspapers. âRadio coverage of presidential campaigns began in 1924 and expanded dramatically in the 1930sâ (Gentzkow et al. 2986) and the first president to publicly communicate to the country in real time was Calvin Coolidge, in 1923 through the use of the radio (Morgan RealClear.com). Public expectations of presidents changed with the introduction of the radio. During the golden age of American newspapers, public expectations of presidents were distinguished by the way they looked and what they were said to have said. With the introduction of radio, public expectations of presidents began to be shaped by how they talked and how they were perceived to behave, through speech. This changed the character of the presidency. âPublic expectations of presidential communication formed in conjunction with the development of a more public rhetorical presidency at the beginning of the 20th centuryâ (Scacco and Coe 302) and have continued to operate since that time. The concept of a rhetorical pr>
important factor from which presidents sought to secure support, if not indeed control, because they mediated the relationship between the president and the public in a way that could build support for the Presidency. Newspapers built and maintained the infrastructure of information in the United States and held on to this position for close to 70 years. âThe opening or closing of newspapers has long been linked to the health of democracyâ (Gentzkow et al. 2980) and they maintained the relationship between the people and the president. In the 1920s the introduction of new technologies brought with it new communications tools that would change how people received, interacted and discussed information. The introduction of the radio gradually reduced the importance of the newspaper, especially as they came down in price, because news spread much more quickly and immediately over the radio than was the case with newspapers. âRadio coverage of presidential campaigns began in 1924 and expanded dramatically in the 1930sâ (Gentzkow et al. 2986) and the first president to publicly communicate to the country in real time was Calvin Coolidge, in 1923 through the use of the radio (Morgan RealClear.com). Public expectations of presidents changed with the introduction of the radio. During the golden age of American newspapers, public expectations of presidents were distinguished by the way they looked and what they were said to have said. With the introduction of radio, public expectations of presidents began to be shaped by how they talked and how they were perceived to behave, through speech. This changed the character of the presidency. âPublic expectations of presidential communication formed in conjunction with the development of a more public rhetorical presidency at the beginning of the 20th centuryâ (Scacco and Coe 302) and have continued to operate since that time. The concept of a rhetorical pr>
