Reflection and Election

Submit thoughtful responses to the following questions, and earn the ‘right’ to propose and vote on our next topic/question for Philosophy Club. Please submit your composition as a comment to this thread, an e-mail, or give me a hard copy by Monday, November 27th at the latest. (We’ll start the next topic at our next meeting: Thursday, November 30th!)

1. What is the foundation of your personal ethics? How do you personally define ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ actions/behaviors?
2. Are you a utilitarian? Here’s a definition from John Stuart Mill and the IEP: "… the principle of utility, which holds that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and the privation of pleasure.""
3. Do you accept consequentialism? Here’s a definition from the IEP: "Consequentialism is the view that morality is all about producing the right kinds of overall consequences. Here the phrase "overall consequences" of an action means everything the action brings about, including the action itself. For example, if you think that the whole point of morality is (a) to spread happiness and relieve suffering, or (b) to create as much freedom as possible in the world, or (c) to promote the survival of our species, then you accept consequentialism."
4. Compose a thoughtful argument: Defend why you [should] eat meat produced by factory farms, or why you [should] not.

As usual, I look forward to hearing/reading your thoughts... :) -mrb