UNIT 1 – East of Eden

1. UNIT 1 – East of Eden Right & Wrong

2. ESSENTIAL QUESTION #4 How do we determine right from wrong?

3. 5 Contrasting Viewpoints Moral Absolutism Moral Objectivism Moral Relativism Moral Subjectivism Moral Nihilism

4. Socratic Seminar (See “Prep Work” handouts.) • Do “prep work” (separate sheet). • Talk through each example, beginning with general reactions… • And then move on to what each philosophy would say.

5. Moral Absolutism • The belief that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong. Morals are inherent. • For example: Killing is always immoral—even in self-defense. In this case, it may be pardoned, but it is still morally wrong.

6. Moral Objectivism • There are moral principles that are moral or immoral independent of what others may believe, think or feel. • But, the principle must be specifically framed. • Example: “It is wrong to kill innocent people because you don’t like them.”

7. Moral Relativism • Each society has its own moral code. There are no universal standards only local principles. There is no such thing as objective morality. • One cannot judge the morality of other cultures or states. • Example: “If the society permits killing the innocent, it is right for that society.”

8. Moral Subjectivism • What an individual believes is right or wrong is so for that individual. • No one person’s opinion about morality is more correct than another. • Example: “The killing of the innocent may be right depending on the individual situation.”

9. Moral Nihilism • Nothing is right or wrong. • There are no standards of behavior. • Example: “The killing of the innocent is neither right or wrong.”

10. Apply the Theories • Read the quotation and do the activity on the worksheet (“How do we determine right from wrong?”)

11. Ted Bundy

12. Ted Bundy

13. Ted Bundy Moral Relativist Serial Killer, Necrophiliac • “In any case, let me assure you, my dear young lady, that there is absolutely no comparison between the pleasure that I might take in eating ham and the pleasure I anticipate in raping and murdering you. “

14. REACT 1 Adolf Hitler believed that it was his moral obligation to exterminate the Jews. He was following his own moral code and thought he was right, so we cannot call him wrong.

15. 2 It is wrong to kill innocent people because we don’t like them.

16. 3 Stealing from others is always wrong.

17. 4 Morality is like table manners. Here it is inappropriate to eat rice with your hand; while in many parts of Asia, it is totally appropriate. Here, we do not encourage suicide bombings; but in other areas, it is very heroic. What is right in one country may be wrong in another; no society’s view is more correct than another.

18. 5 “The mere fact that a multitude of people in a society hold a certain opinion, does not make that opinion correct. What is morally right is not a function of the views of the majority.” (Socrates)

19. 6 Abusing one’s wife is wrong.

20. 7 Some things are just plain right and wrong independent of what some may think is right and wrong.

21. Socratic Seminar Wrap-Up So, let’s revisit our big questions… • Are humans responsible for their actions? • What makes (or will make) humans happy? • Do we need universal laws? Absolute laws? Societal laws? Personal laws? • What examples have you can you use from East of Eden?

22. HOMEWORK: • Continue tracking characters’ responsibility throughout the novel