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THE CHALLENGE

Dec 18th, 2011 by

How should we respond to manifestations of Hell on earth?   The answer we give is a matter of prescription.

 

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 POVERTY:  “AMERICA’S HELL ON EARTH” 

26.  Tuesday, April 17.

What does it mean to be poor?  What impact does poverty have?  What are human beings entitled to by virtue of their humanity?

  • Alex Kotlowitz, There are No Children Here (first half).

27. Thursday, April 19.

Debate #3:  “As Americans, we are morally obliged to guarantee that there are no more ‘Pharoahs’.”

  • Alex Kotlowitz, There are No Children Here (finish the book)

 

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TERRORISM AND TORTURE:  “GIVE ‘EM HELL!”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43)

28. Tuesday, April 24.

Today, I am asking you to read several essays about torture as response to terrorism.  We will discuss three interrelated issues:

a.  What is torture?
b.  Is torture morally acceptable under some circumstances?  Are there good and bad forms of torture?
c.  What, if anything, does torture do to the torturer?

Specifically, we will use two cases of torture as a background to our discussion:  1)  the “prisoner abuse” (or torture) of inmates at Abu Ghraib; 2) the use of “waterboarding” as an interrogation technique.  However, I’d also like you to think in broader terms about the use of torture as a means for combatting terrorism.

Torture at Abu Ghraib:

  • CBS Reports: “Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib”: SKIM
  • U. S. Department of Defense: “Report Faults Intelligence Soldiers at Abu Ghraib”: READ
  • Optional:  Sworn Statements by Detainees at Abu Ghraib  These are graphic documents. Read only as many as you need to gain a basic impression.
  • Optional:  Abu Ghraib photos  These are graphic photos. Again, look at only as many as you need.

Interrogation through waterboarding:

  • Getting Waterboarded:  WATCH
  • William Bole, “Forgiveness Makes the Future Possible”: READ


29.  Thursday, April 26 – Monday, May 1:  I will be giving a lecture at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in the Vatican.

Your Final Essay Assignment is HERE

30.  Friday. May 4:  We will meet as a group at 3:00 p.m. in the Nanovic Institute.  These sessions will not be mandatory.  I only want to make myself available.

Ω

 

NOTE:  Please leave your technology at home. This includes electronic devices of any kind, such as laptops, i-Pads, cell phones, tape recorders, Kindles, video cameras, or other personal digital devices.

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