Role-Play Debate for course EngC 1015

It cannot be possible for people around the world to set up a global ethics system. People on this world will never get completly along. There will always be someone causing trouble. This ideal of a global ethics system is a very honorable idea, but won't happen. Life isn't fair and people will get hurt, all an idividual can do is hope to not get burned.

You are right. A worldwide ethic system is a great idea. However, if everyone were to give in to a single universal system of ethics, what would make each civilization unique? I feel that yes, we should have a similar ethics system to a certain extent, but for everyone to function in an efficient way within their own civilizations and every other civilizations, we cannot have the exact same ethics system. I don't believe that the world was made to become one universal civilization. Every culture has their own view on what way a human should be treated, and that is one of the qualities that make every culture so unique. On the other hand, everyone throughout this world interacts more and more through each and every day. So, in the end, I believe that every civilization needs to agree on a similar but not exact set of global ethics system.

I would agree that a global ethics system is a wonderful idea. However, I think it is a utopian concept and is highly improbable. Even though it is unlikely that such a system would come into action, I think it is something that the world should strive for. As Kung was stating, people should unite through their commonalities so they could live with their differences. I don't think that striving for a global ethic would homogenize the world but rather let many civilizations with different cultures live in peace. To spread the ideal of a global ethic I believe it is important that the youngest generations are taught the similarities between cultures. If people grow up knowing the similarities between cultures, the differences may be accepted more easily.

So, continuing on with the concept of developing a global ethic, I believe it is important for international cooperation, such as the InterAction Council, to put together global ethic standards like the Chicago Declaration on a Global Ethic. It is not something that will be able to be enforced by law but enforced through education and lifestyle. Just as the golden rule says, “Treat others, as you would like to be treated”, we should all learn a global ethic so a culture is treated like another culture would like to be treated.

I think the majority of people share a global ethic. Most people don't steal, don't cheat, don't kill, and are good law abiding citizens. However, those who are ruthless and go around killing and stealing and wrecking lives stand out. They make problems for everyone they represent and can ruin public perception of their kind instantly. Most wars are not caused by the doings of the majority of citizens, but by a select few who make decisions for them. Corrupt people getting into power can ruin entire countries. So now the question is - How do we stop corruption?

I think that most countries live by their own form of the ten commandents or the golden rule. I think that we will never be able to have a single world culture, each culture will be afriad of losing their unquiness and will then refuse to completely become part of the one overall culture. The globe will probably get a more universal culture though and the indiviual cultures will most likely lose some of their ascepts but for the most part i think that the cultures will be able to hold on to the most important ascepts.

A global system of ethics is a good idea on paper, however like most people have stated the idea is far from being a reality. As Diane pointed out that Kung states people should unite through their commonalties, so they can live with there differences. That idea is a wonderful one and if followed would lead to a better world, but once again I see that it would be hard to attain. There are many countries and groups within countries who have been in a blood feud with one another for centuries, and they have differences so deeply rooted that either they have no common ground left or aren’t willing to find some. There’s another problem that I see with a global ethics system, depending how its created and by who, some countries my see it as another “wonderful” idea of on how the west can force another one of their ideas on the rest of the world. For there are some countries who would outright refuse to follow an ethics declaration solely for that reason.

Indeed a global ethic is a great idea, but I don't think it should be set in stone as Kung defines it. The goal of all humans should be to minimize suffering in all aspects. But there is a problem with trying to institute a global ethic. Like everyone has stated previously, there are to many differences and there will always be conflict. Both of these statements are false but its hard to see a brighter future. Many things would have to be done away with for this to happen though. Things like capital and borders would need to be abolished in order for humanity to become one, like it should be.

The idea of a global ethics system may seem like some kind of pipe-dream, but it is something that already exists without people really recognizing it or understanding what it is. We brought this up in my public speaking class sometime last week, when we were discussing commonalities amongst a diverse audience. My teacher asked us to identify some universal beliefs that would translate through all cultures and societies. The idea of friendship, of family, the search for happiness, the pursuit of enlightenment; all of these things are universal for the majority of the world population. This, in turn, can be described as a beginning of a global ethic if you start with everything on a person-to-person level.
Our irregularities in the global ethic occur when someone who has been subverted from the norm comes to the forefront of the global political stage. It is these subverted minds that create the chaos that we assign to hundreds or thousands or millions.
I think that to fulfill a system of global ethics we need to build outward. We start with personal ethics, then reach out through our communities, cities, states, and nations. That's how we make our ethical system work.

Most people would think that murder, stealing, and other pretty basic crimes would be punished around the world. But in some areas it just cannot be enforced. Take for example the Red Light District in Calcutta, yes I was jsut watching "Born into Brothels," there are unlimitted prostitutes, and the government knows it. They just have no means to get in there and enforce the laws.

Putting in a global ethic wold be very hard and in my opinion impossible to do. I am not denying it is a great thing, its just that it would billions of man hours, not just informing, but enforcing this ethic.

I would love it if it got put in place I just don't think that it is very viable right now.