PURPOSE:
In this Discussion Post, you will explore the best arguments BOTH FOR AND AGAINST Meiwes and Brandes’ act of consensual cannibalism being considered morally “wrong.” This is intended to help you figure out how you will respond to Essay #3: The Formal Argument.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on this controversial and unique case. Truthfully, it is a bit easier to argue that the act is not morally wrong, but it’s absolutely possible to do a good job or arguing the opposite as long as you avoid begging the question, faulty emotional appeals, or red herrings. I will provide plenty of guidance in the upcoming modules to help you support your stance whether you plan to argue the act was or was not morally wrong. For now, please follow these directions for this week’s discussion post:
DIRECTIONS:
For this discussion post, you will do two original posts of at least 200 words each.
PLEASE POST THE FOLLOWING:
I’m assuming you have an initial opinion on whether this act was morally wrong or not. Although you are free to change your mind as many times as you wish before the final essay is due, for now, if you have made up your mind, focus your two posts on the best evidence/reasons why you believe Meiwes and Brandes’ act was wrong or not wrong, one reason per post.
If you are still deciding, you can do one post on the best reason you think the act was immoral and the other on the best reason you think it was not immoral.
Avoid begging the question by saying, “It’s wrong because you shouldn’t eat people” or religious reasons like “God would not approve of this” to argue the act was wrong or reasons such as “People should be allowed to do whatever they want” if you are arguing the at was not wrong. These are all logical fallacies and assume too much or simply use the dilemma itself as the answer. You are expected to use logical, clear reasoning and incorporate evidence in the form of one well-chosen quotation from our course readings per post.
Include quotations early in your posts and really use them to make your point.
You should also write two response posts of at least 50 words each to classmates. You do not need to include quotations in your response posts.
