MORAL STUDIES MPW 1153 ASSIGMENT 1

Name IC No Std ID

: : :

KISHOK S/O SUBRAMANIAM 911114-08-6365 01-200904-00271 E310013 Miss. Norsyahida

Class code : Lecturer :

Please give example based on the movie ( I AM SAM) for each question below?

1. What do you understand of social morality theory? Define and explain the theory with example. Social morality theory refers to standards or moral measurements in a certain society based on norms and taboos within that society to ensure the social morality within. It is the quality of being in accorded with standards of right or good conduct or a system of ideas that falls into the same categories. Moral quality involving a course of action. A person living in a society will use the rules or habits following the right and wrong conducts that he/she understands.

For example : If we see in this movie I Am Sam, the character Sam Dawson is a man with a developmental disabilities. Although he knows his disabilities, he follows the rule and living like a ordinary person just like others. He acts has a father just like other fathers in normal life. He responsible in taking care her daughter, Lucy. He even gives education by sending her to school. He bought everything what a childs need. He even obey the order and law that given by the court, he follows it. He never misses or disobey to meet a daughter twice a week although he having a quite problem that he cant separate from his daughter.

2. Based on the movie, what is your opinion about the societys behaviour toward the main character (SAM)? In my opinion, the society treat SAM, as a retarded mental person, very enthusiastic, highly sensitive and the society didnt give chance to SAM to take care his daughter because of his developmental disabilities of having intellectual capacity of 7 years old. Its like a 7 year kids age. In this movie, we saw how people treated to SAM, such as in the beginning of the movie, Lucys mother, Rebecca, after she given birth to her daughter, she decides to run away from her husband and her baby daughter because she doesnt like to live with a husband, SAM, which is a retarded person. Its a bad behaviour. Secondly, Lucy, her daughter is the only person who understands her father very well. She dont mind whether her father is retarded or psycho, she still loves her father and accept it. Thirdly, Annie, the neighbour which her kindness takes care of Lucy, when SAM went for work and also the same person who teach to SAM how to raise baby. Then, SAM has some supportive group of friends with developmental disabilities, that gives advice and all the help SAM needs. Then the lawyer, Rita, treated Sam, has a understood client and becoming a good friends with SAM and helps him to get back the take care process of SAM parental rights. Then, guardian and the lawyer, Mr.Turner, didnt give a chance to SAM to be have father rights and they humiliate him and asking lots of question which he unable to understand and complicated for him. In the meanwhile, the court forgets how to treat a retarded person. From watching this movie we can see that how the society acted on him, very humiliating and same time the society also gives courage to SAM.

3. List out the bad and good action that you could mark our from the movie.

GOOD ACTION y y y Sam took good care of his baby daughter, Lucy, after her mother abandoned her.
Sam provide her baby, with shelter , food, clothes.

Sam works hard to earn money for his baby daughter when until she became a child.

y y y y

Sam loves her daughter very much and provides everything that she needs. Lucy, loves her father, and accept him although her father is a retarded person. Annie takes care of Lucy, when Sam when for work. Sam even prepares a birthday party for her 8 years old daughter,

The lawyer, Rita, who takes the case as pro bono and didnt ask a single fees from Sam.

Sam friends provide a voice recording machine to Sam, which Sam record his voice and send message to her daughter Lucy, who stays in foster home.

Annie came to court as withness to give statement to help Sam to get back his child.

Sam unwittingly helps Rita with her family problems, including encouraging her to leave her philandering husband and repairing her fractious relationship with her son.

Lucy was adopted to a family and she gets everything perfect.

BAD ACTION Rebecca abandoned her daughter. The moment where Lucy and Corner playing dam, when the Corner talks rudely and tease about her father to Lucy. y Without a full investigation, Sam has been arrested because treat with a hooker. But Sam doesnt understand what happen actually. y Lucy lies to the lawyer, where the lawyer ask Lucy to give statement about her father, but she give false statement. Lucy cheated the guardian and runaway from her with Sam to live a new life in a new place. She lied to her father that the guardian gave permission to bing them to park.But when her father brings back her to foster home back, the guardian charged Sam, has kidnapping her own daughter. The court-appointed psychologist,the judge, Annie and the Welfare Departments lawyer do act selfish Every night, Lucy run away from her new adopt family to see her father daily.

y y

4. What is theory of personality virtue? Provide example

Personality virtues is an ethics which connect with an individuals characteristics of being honourable. In philosophy especially that of Aristotle, the Middle way is the most desirable middle between the two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.

Example : In this movie, Sam follows this theory of personality virtue. By following this theory, he never depend to anyone or asking help in form of money. He works at Starbucks Coffee, 8 dollars per hour. With is hardworking, he raise Lucy without any lack. When Lucy, grows up she also have same character like as her father not to dependant to others especially to her father or Annie. She grew strong and knows which is good and wrong. But when the Court decides to send Lucy to foster home to Randy Carpenter, he just gave away her with full of sadness because he knows it will more much better , happier and getting all she wanted than staying with him.

5. Explain your understanding of Aristotle theory of middle way with example

Aristotle is the person who found theory of middle way. He says that, Personality virtue is an ethic of good value. It is a process of inclination with a purpose. It is not a natural matter that exist in a human being. It needs training and practices. For an individual who considered to obtain this virtue, he/she must follow the concept of MIDDLE WAY. In philosophy especially that of Aristotle, the Middle way is the most desirable middle between the two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.

Example : In this movie, Sam with his developmental disability tries against the law legally to get his daughter but he cant. He knows the laws and he have to obey it. In the same time, he needs legal advice and support for ask his right as a father to get back his daughter, Lucy,

from the Department of Child and Family Resources. Then, he appoints a lawyer, Rita to speak in behalf of Sam rights and what he against of because of his disability. Rita uses middle way theory by argue, produce lots of statements and tell Sams rights and abilities in court where people can understand Sams responsible towards her daughter, Lucy. She act generously and think which is right or wrong for Lucy. Finally, she helped Sams right and brings back Lucy in her father custody.

6. How can we develop the personality virtue in our life? Personality virtue is an ethics of good value. We can practice it our daily life : Do good deeds such helping people. Know how to handle a situation and solution for problem. Face the obstacles in our life because life isnt easy and it is in full challenges. Be honest in any kind or work and respectfull it. Think twice before act or judging good or bad. Seek advice from the experiences person and try to learn in better way and share some experinces to bgain knowledge

y y y y y y

7. What are the weakness of personality virtue theory and social morality?

Weakness of Personality Virtue theory y y y Each persons standard is different, no uniformity. It can be relative, subjective and bound by circumstance(unpredictable). Difficult to clearly state what is right and wrong.

Weakness of Social Morality Results in authoritarian situation -Reduces autonomy of members of society, increases authority of those in power.

When different societies have laws, regulations and customs, and moral values, moral relativism can cause conflict and social tension.

Old rules might not apply with new situations that threatens happiness and peace of society.

y y

People can still rebel, disobey the rules. Government might enforce cruel laws on people

8. Define and explain teleological theory? Provide example.

Teleological ethics is a theory of general assumption of an individuals action whether it is RIGHT or WRONG depending on the CONSEQUENCES of an action. It means a morally right act (or omission of act) that will produce a good outcome, or consequence. The ends justify the means.

 If the effect is positive, the action should be allowed For example : When Lucy is taken custody by the Department of Child and Family Resources. Sam tries harder to find a lawyer, in order to get back his daughter. Because, of his good behaviour, positive attitude and his responsible on his daughter, he managed to get a high level profile lawyer to take the case. These consequences leads to a positive action.

 If the effect is negative, the action should not be allowed For example : When Lucy, was taken to foster home. Her father only can visit for two hours, twice in week. Lucy feels that, she didnt enough time to spend with her lovely father. Then, she planned to run away from that place with is father. She cheated her guardian and tell lies to her father that her guardian has given permission to spend more time at the park. Because of the lies, there have been captured by policeman and held them to police

station. The guardian almost charged Sam for kidnapping her own daughter because of her daughter lies. This also makes the lawyer to come to the police station early in the morning and the guardian too for taking back Lucy back to foster home. These consequences leads to a negative action.

9. What is egoism theory? Explain with example.

Egoism It is one of teleological theory. Value is good if it benefits oneself even if the action is bad and vice versa. For example, in class your friend asking to help him to solve the mathematical question, but you teach in improper way and giving false answers, the reason because you wanted to be the best scorer in the class of the subject.

For example : When Lucy cheated her guardian and then tell to her father that the guardian has given permission to go for park. The action done by Lucy is bad but benefits only for herself because she wanted to spend more time with her father. Another incident, when the lawyer asking Lucy, to give statement about her father last night. She tell lies to the lawyer about her father. But the lawyers, judge and the guardian knows what happen last night. She thinks that she can change the judge result, so that she can be with her father. She tells lies because she getting benefits for herself. Another, every night she escapes from the foster home to go back home and sleep with her father. Its a bad habit, but it benefits her to see and sleep her father every night.

10. Define deontological theory? Clearly explain with example.

The deontological theory states that people should adhere to their obligations and duties when analyzing an ethical dilemma. This means that a person will follow his or her obligations to another individual or society because upholding ones duty is what considered ethically correct.

For example : Sam stay put in his duty as a father. He didnt do anything something like outrageous or acting violently such beating her or etc. He always on her side and teach her good and bad. Every night, when she went to bed he always tell her favourite bedtime story before she asleep. He also always listen patience what her daughter tries to say . He almost spend time with is daughter in the playground and having surprise birthday parties. A person who keeps to this theory will make steady decisions where they will based on the individuals fix duties. Therefore this theory comes with correct or wrong of ones way from character of the behaviour itself.