Monday, November 17, 2008

Rockstar Games: Accountable or not?

Many issues surround the company that is notorious for it's "Gran Theft Auto" series. The game promotes activities such as killing a prostitute after having sex with her, attacking a cop to avoid detainment, and killing just about any bystander in the game. Considering Grand Theft Auto from a duties and rights perspective, there are certain rights that suggest that the production, sale, and use of the game is unethical and should be restricted, if not prohibited. From a Utilitarian perspective, the game is unethical because it is not socially beneficial to society, in fact, it is the very opposite. The game demoralizes the nature of the crimes and makes them easier to commit. More and more shootings, such as Columbine and VT are occuring, and what is to blame?? Is it TV, videogames, or some other phenomena causing our youth to act maliciously and atrociously.
Rockstar could argue that its games serve as a primitive form of stress release through fantasy storylines, and that any logical person could separate what happens in the game from real life, just like right from wrong. Your thoughts....

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Ethics of Whistle-Blowing

This is another interesting article that explores the ethics of whistle-blowing. Very similar to what we've discussed in class, and may have been helpful for the test had I discovered it earlier. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3257/is_1_53/ai_53635408?tag=rbxcra.2.a.1

Whistle-blowing on the rise...

This is an interesting article on whistle-blowing in the corporate world, and how it is becoming more and more probable. Are people finally dissenting themselves from their prospective roles in business for the greater good of society? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4256/is_n3_v22/ai_18764058

Saturday, November 8, 2008

8yr old charged with murder

An 8-year old was charged with murder of his father and another man recently. Is it justifiable to charge a kid that young with murder? Does the kid know any better or is it the parent's fault for leaving such things around? Your thoughts.... http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/08/child.charged.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Mexican Police Helping Cartels

This is an article about how a former police sergeant aided the Sinaloa, the leading mexican drug cartel. A family of six was opened fire on, all of which were innocent. Corruption in government is a big issue today in all societies. What are your thoughts???

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Spitzer off the hook?

Recently, Former Gov. Elliot Spitzer, who was charged with various account involving a prostitute, was not charged with anything!!! The court found no substantial evidence that he was using campaign funds to finance the VIP club or whatever, so he's off the hook?? This in my opinion does an injustice to us all. A government official gets caught buying hookers, and he gets off... That sounds all to familiar to me. This is with exception to Clinton....I liked Clinton, and thought he was a good president despite his personal life

Obama wants a playoffs in college football

If anyone watched Monday Night Football the other night, you would have seen Chris Berman's interview with presidential-elect Barack Obama, and runner up John McCain. In an interesting answer to the question "What would you change about sports?", Obama stated he wanted to make a 8-team playoff in college football and get rid of the bcs system. This has been an ongoing controversy for years in college football....I for one would like to see the playoff, just to get an extra three games, however some argue it takes away from the enormity of the games played during the regular season. My point however, relating to philosophy is "politics and sports should not be mixed either way in my opinion" regardless of whether I agree with Obama or not, I don't think we need government intervention in sports. How do you feel?