Civility and Terrorism

Choose one of these topics: Civility, Tolerance, and Free Speech or War, Terrorism, and Torture.

View at least two videos from your topic selection. Alternatively, select videos/documentaries of your choice that are related to the topic.

 

Civility, Tolerance, and Free Speech

• What Are the Limits of Free Speech? | Big Think (YouTube|21:38)
• Links to an external site.
  • The free speech debate typically happens at either end of the spectrum — people believe they should be able to say whatever they want, or they believe that certain things (e.g., hate speech) should be censored. Who is right, and who gets to decide?
• What “Cancel Culture” Ignores About Free Speech (YouTube|20:50)
• Links to an external site.
  • Is “cancel culture” real? Are we losing grip on the fundamental right to free speech? Are we entering a new phase of cultural authoritarianism that targets anyone who goes against the grain? Or … are those hysterics pointed in the wrong direction?
• What Is Hate Speech? We Asked College Students (YouTube|5:58)
• Links to an external site.
  • How should “hate speech” be defined, and should it be regulated? We went to the campus of USC to ask college students who are on the front lines of America’s free speech battles.
• Should Hate Speech Be Protected As Free Speech? (YouTube|6:21)
• Links to an external site.
  • College campuses across the United States have found themselves at the center of a raging free-speech debate. As controversial figures, like white nationalists, book gigs at universities– many are calling for limits to provocative speech on campuses, while others advocate free speech for all, including the haters. So what exactly is covered under free speech? And can college campuses ban speakers?
• Paradox of Tolerance: To Tolerate or Not to Tolerate? Democratic Theory Series | Academy 4 Soc… (YouTube|3:43)

Links to an external site.

Philosopher Karl Popper described the paradox of tolerance as the seemingly counterintuitive idea that “in order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must be intolerant of intolerance.” Essentially, if a so-called tolerant society permits the existence of intolerant philosophies, it is no longer tolerant.

War, Terrorism, and Torture

• The Ethics of Warfare and Changing Technology (YouTube|24:02)
• Links to an external site.
  • Dr. Bradley Strawser, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, discusses the ethics of modern warfare and how technology has impacted the degree of civilian casualties.
• The Edge of Drone Warfare | James Rogers | TEDxOdense (YouTube|13:08)
• Links to an external site.
  • James Rogers is a British assistant professor of War Studies at SDU in Odense and a visiting fellow at Yale University. His research focuses on drone warfare, contemporary security policy, and the history of warfare. Currently, James is focusing his attention on the future of conflict and how drones are being used maliciously by terrorist groups and non-state organizations for assassinations, surveillance, missile drops, spying, and disrupting vulnerable domestic targets.
• Is Remote Warfare Moral? | The Mehdi Hasan Show (YouTube|10:44)
• Links to an external site.
  • Drones have been the U.S.’s signature tactic in the War on Terror, but is it moral, and is it better than other weapons systems? In his new book, Air Force officer and former predator drone operator Joseph Chapa takes on those questions.
• When Is Torture Justified? | Lt. Col. Jon S. Jackson | TEDxMemphis (YouTube|14:45)
• Links to an external site.
  • Torture. Is it ever justified? Lieutenant Colonel Jon S. Jackson, a career Army officer and lawyer, takes aim at this difficult issue by drawing on his experiences as defense counsel for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Torture and Interrogation | Adam Collins | TEDxAAS (YouTube|8:50)
• Links to an external site.
  • Has torture become synonymous with interrogation in today’s warring society? Mr. Adam Collins, a former member of the U.S. Military, distinguishes between the two concepts and sheds light on the use of each today.
• The Psychology of Evil | Philip Zimbardo (YouTube|23:10)

Links to an external site.

 

• Philip Zimbardo knows how easy it is for nice people to turn bad. In this talk, he shares insights and unseen graphic photos from the Abu Ghraib trials.

Thoughtfully reflect on the issues discussed in the talks that you have watched. If you have chosen an alternative video to those on the list, please thoroughly identify the video.

In your essay, please address the following questions: 

• What is the speaker’s point of view about the topic? Is the speaker biased?
• What ethical issues and ethical reasoning are argued?
• Do you think that the issues discussed have moral and ethical implications? Why or why not?
• Do you agree with the speaker’s point of view? Be specific and thorough. Express how and why you agree or disagree and discuss how ethics and values contribute to your opinion.
• Consider the theoretical concepts discussed in the course. Do not just state your viewpoint; rather provide relevant details to support your findings and/or position.

Your document should be between 300-500 words in length. Any references to support your work must be cited in the most current APA format.

 

 

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