HHH-Initial Queries (25 points)

Directions:

1. Write your response to at least ONE of the 4 bullet pointed queries below and,
2. Respond to TWO posts by your classmates.

• What does Doug Porpora argue are the primary ways/reasons we allowed ourselves to become a party to genocide (as discussed in Chapter 6)?

• Define “neighbor.” Having done that, what is your response to Porpora’s assertion on p. 181?
• It takes a positive morality of radical commitment to one’s neighbor to extend the concept of neighbor to those one does not see face to face, to extend the responsibilities of neighborliness to suffering peasants in a remote country. It takes such a radical commitment to neighborliness to care about the effects of political decisions on our neighbors everywhere. That, however, is a commitment that is largely unknown in mainstream American Christendom.

• Comment on Porpora’s assertion on page 197 that:
• Most people are not used to considering knowledge a responsibility. When it comes to responsibility, we tend to focus on our actions, not on what is inside our heads. We tend to assume that if we act in good faith, that is, if we act on whatever knowledge we have with the best of intentions then what we do is not really blameworthy, even if it has negative consequences.

• What, if anything, do you take issue with Porpora about in his book? Explain your reasoning fully.

Tocqueville-Threats to Liberty

List and explain what Tocqueville sees as the primary threats to Liberty in a modern democratic society AND do you think United States…or even our MKA community…takes sufficient care to prevent or minimize these threats?

  

Montesquieu-Spirit of the Laws

Opening Passages to consider:

“The inhabitants of a particular town are much better acquainted with its wants and interests, than with those of other places; and are better judges of the capacity of their neighbours, than of that of the rest of the countrymen. The members, therefore, of the legislature should not be chosen from the general body of the nation; but it is proper that in every considerable place, a representative should be elected by the inhabitants. The great advantage of representatives is their capacity of discussing public affairs. For this the people collectively are extremely unfit, which is one of the chief inconveniences of a democracy.”

1. The above is a selection from the chapter “The Constitution of England” that is NOT in your Ebenstein text.  What is your reaction to his assertion??  Where do you think that discussion of public policies best takes place?

“The suffrage by lot is natural to democracy, as that by choice is to aristocracy.  The suffrage by lot is a method of electing that offends no one; but animates each citizen with the pleasing hope of serving his country.  Yet, as this method is in itself defective, it has been the endeavour of the most eminent legislators to regulate and amend it.”  p. 415

2. What do you think about this assertion?--please comment

Luther for Monday 11/18

In thinking of the ideas of "God's Jailers and Hangmen" and why "frogs need storks" according to Luther, please respond to the following:

1. What did Luther think of the role of secular leaders?
2. What did Luther think of the common citizen?

and....

3. What do you think the current US government thinks of the common citizen? [HUGE question, but give it a try...]

Our Class Blog

Before the weekend meets us, I wanted to ask you all two questions that I didn't take the time to do during our class yesterday...please respond before class meets on MONDAY 9/9:

1. Why did you take this class?

2. Do you believe there can be an ideal government--briefly describe what that would look like OR why there can't be one.