Discussion 1: Applying Rand’s Objectivism

44 unread replies.77 replies.

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 8
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 scholarly source

Introduction
Ayn Rand’s Objectivist philosophy has been touted by her detractors as the philosophy of self-interested selfishness. Her four epistemological principles include the following:

• Metaphysics: Objective reality of the world and the objects in it.
• Epistemology: Reason as the one and only key to understanding.
• Ethics: Self-interest not only in what behavior is but also what it should be.
• Politics: Capitalism through the performance of deeds by individuals who are self-interested.

In the early 1960s, a student asked a spokesman for Objectivism what would happen to the poor in an Objectivist’s free society. The spokesman answered, “If you want to help them, you will not be stopped.” Based on Rand’s works, Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead, one will conclude that this would be the answer Ayn would have given to that student as well.

Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address all of the following:

• What do you conclude from the answer given by the Objectivist spokesperson?
• Examine the notion that Objectivism, like moral relativism, is the opposite of ethics. Provide support for your position.
• What clue in what she taught leads to your conclusion?

Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Writing Requirements

• Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
• Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
• APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Discussion 2: Working Conflict Resolution Methods

22 unread replies.77 replies.

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 8
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 professional ethics code

Introduction
Different ways to analyze ethical behaviors and dilemmas exist, and many of them will help direct you to the correct or “best” solution to a problem. As we discussed in Week 1, sometimes right vs. right or wrong vs. wrong decisions have to be made.

In the lesson this week, you are given three ethical dilemma resolution models to try out on a dilemma provided there. Please review that interactive before working on this assignment

Initial Post Instructions
For this discussion, address one of the following questions:

1. Review the sample solution to the Laura Nash method. Do you agree with that analysis? If so, what parts do you think really helped you work through the dilemma? If not, which parts do you not agree with?
2. Review the sample solution to the Front Page of the Newspaper method. Do you think this is one of those types of dilemmas for which this model works? If not, why not? If so, why? How did using this method help you work through the dilemma?
3. Review the sample solution to the Blanchard and Peale method. Do you agree with the analysis? If not, why not? If so, in what way did this help you analyze this dilemma?

Be sure to show that you have viewed the lecture and interactive and that you attempted an analysis for “high quality” posts this week.

Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Respond to one peer who chose a different question than you chose. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Writing Requirements

• Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
• Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
• APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Each discussion question should be 1 page long. Text Book: Thinking critically about ethical issues by Ruggeiro