PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
The reading assignment this journal will focus on is included next in this module, but I think it will be helpful for you to view these questions first so you know what you are looking for when you do the reading.
PURPOSE:
Welcome to your second reading journal assignment! This assignment is designed to help you get the most out of our latest reading assignment so you can begin to gather evidence and form arguments which will be useful to Essay #3.
DIRECTIONS:
Please choose EXACTLY FOUR of the questions in the list below to answer for up to 10 points each. DO NOT ANSWER ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS.
Your assignment is to read FOUR of the articles in your reading assignment. You are required to read the following pieces:
Clare Murphy’s “Cannibalism: A Modern Taboo”
J Jeremy Wisnewski’s “Murder, Cannibalism, and Indirect Suicide: A Philosophical Study of a Recent Case”
Mark Hay’s “How Courts Treat Consensual Cannibalis”
Please pick ONE of the following optional articles as your fourth article:
Laurence Goldman’s Encyclopedia piece on cannibalism OR
Alyssa Newcomb’s “Dutch TV Hosts Appear to Dine on Each Other’s Flesh”
Based on what you read, what makes people judge certain types of cannibalism as more acceptable than others? Feel free to briefly discuss the types of cannibalism, but don’t let simple definitions take over your answer.
Based on what you read, what type of cannibalism did Armin Meiwes partake in? Why does it not fit the other two types of cannibalism?
Based on what you read, why is it significant that Meiwes and Brandes’ act was consensual? How does this fact make their act different than cannibalism that other people such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Issei Sagawa, Katherine Knights, Omaima Nelson, or Albert Fish partook in? (You can look these people up easily and see what they did, but beware. It’s awful.)
Based on what you read, do you think Meiwes and Brandes’ act was morally wrong? What are the best arguments for the act being wrong that you read in this reading assignment?
Many are quick to label these men as mentally ill. What. does the reading say about these men’s mental health? Who does this information come from? Why is this significant?
Based on what you read, do you see any problem with the Brandes’ consent? If so, explain why his consent may not be valid and the act might be, therefore, immoral.
Based on what you read, do you think Meiwes and Brandes’ act was not morally wrong? What are the best arguments for the act not being morally wrong that you read in this reading assignment?
Is what the Dutch TV hosts did morally wrong? Why or why not?
According to the reading, what are vore forums and online communities? Do you think partaking in these online discussions would have or should have satisfied Meiwes and Brandes? Why or why not?
Aside from morality, why is your opinion of what you read about the legality of cannibalism?
Wisnewski talks about obligations to the dead as a possible argument against what Meiwes and Brandes did. What are our obligations to the dead, if any? How did what Meiwes and Brandes did interfere with or not interfere with those obligations, if they do exist?
Based on what you read, how have accusations of cannibalism been used in the past as a tool of imperialism and racism?
Please adhere to the following technical guidelines:
Double-space your document.
Do not type the question but number your answers 1-4. It’s ok if the numbers don’t exactly correspond with the number on the list above, as long as I can see four separate, numbered answers
Show that you read the three required pieces in the reading assignment as well as one optional piece.
Clearly name the author or article title in each answer.
Write at least 900 words total
Distribute your development evenly so you earn the maximum points on each question
Include one well-chosen quotation in every answer. Avoid including more than two per answer.
Place quotations early in your answers and analyze them thoroughly.
