Agreeing to something controversial

The purpose of this discussion board assignment is to develop the habit of thinking through positions that

you do not agree with. You can consider it practice for the discussion of contemporary moral issues in the

secondportion of the class. Because this section requires a bit more writing than many of the other sections do, it will be worth 20 points.
So, what is it that you should be doing in this discussion board assignment? It is relatively simple: I want

you to argue in favor of each and every one of the positions listed below. Will you agree with each of the positions listed below? No - but that is the entire point and purpose of the exercise. I want you to make the strongest possible argument for each of these positions, and I want you to critique the arguments of your fellow students
(please note that "you're wrong!" is not a critique, but an assertion. You must explain why someone is

wrong.
"You're wrong because pornography is evil/gross/dehumanizing" is better, but it needs to be followed by

an explaination of why it is "evil/gross/dehumanizing" or whatever other claim you have made. You must also remember to attack the ideas, but not the people making the argument. It is especially so in the case of this assignment, where most of you will have to defend at least one position with which you do not agree).

1. All pornography should be legal.
2. No pornography should be legal.
3. There should be no governmental oversight of scientific research.
4. There should be governmental oversight of scientific research.
5. Morality should be based on feelings and emotions, not reason.
6. Morality should be based on reason, not on feelings and emotions

Sample Solution