In Malaysia, a person is beaten with a rattan cane as a form of corporal punishm
ID: 387889 • Letter: I
Question
In Malaysia, a person is beaten with a rattan cane as a form of corporal punishment or for infractions in the military or public schools. The cane used for corporal punishment is 1.27 centimeters in diameter and 1.2 meters long. Up to 24 strokes of the cane may be administered at one time; each stroke is to be administered with maximum effort and is applied directly to the skin. Caning can also be administered along with a prison sentence or for prison infractions.
On a college campus, two students are on opposite ends of the quad giving a speech about the above situation. One is a moral relativist, and one is a moral absolutist. Write a two-page speech for each of the orators that include the following information.
Step 1
Read the facts.In Malaysia, a person is beaten with a rattan cane as a form of corporal punishment or for infractions in the military or public schools. The cane used for corporal punishment is 1.27 centimeters in diameter and 1.2 meters long. Up to 24 strokes of the cane may be administered at one time; each stroke is to be administered with maximum effort and is applied directly to the skin. Caning can also be administered along with a prison sentence or for prison infractions.
Step 2
Write two speeches.On a college campus, two students are on opposite ends of the quad giving a speech about the above situation. One is a moral relativist, and one is a moral absolutist. Write a two-page speech for each of the orators that include the following information.
- Within each speech, explain the position in light of characteristics associated with the theory.
- Describe what each speaker would have to say about the above practice.
- Make sure the speaker addresses why his or her position on this practice is preferable over the other speaker's position.
Explanation / Answer
Speech 1: from point of view of Moral Relativism:
Hello to everyone present here,
I find myself absolutely fortunate, that I have grabbed this opportunity of speaking my mind out in front of you all. Coming straight to topic that
“In Malaysia, a person is beaten with a rattan cane as a form of physical punishment or for violations in the military or public schools. The cane used for such punishment is about 1.2 meters long and 1.27 cms in diameter. Not only this; approximately 24 strokes of the cane are directed at one time with maximum effort directly to the skin. This corporal punishment can also be ordered along with a prison sentence”.
I am totally convinced and I am totally in favour of this kind of punishment. You all must have heard of a common saying “Tit for Tat”. I believe that a right conduct is a right conduct, what a person who is sentenced with such a punishment must have done will definitely be considered as morally incorrect. Then why are the ethicists bothering so much about the corporal punishment to be morally incorrect?
However, taking about the facts; as the laws and punishments incorporated in Malaysia are so strict, the rate of crime in the country has witnessed a significant drop from the year 2010 till now. 47% of reduction in crime has been noticed. This incredible decrease in crime index is a saying it all for itself.
I strictly believe that a truth is a truth and a fact is a fact. That means Justice cannot be and should not be confused with moral beliefs. I believe that ethics are relative and there is nothing wrong in being a moral relativism.
Therefore, I finally end up saying that I done find anything wrong in the corporal practice of Malaysia. In fact, I support the country for this act and also congratulate them on succeeding in reducing the crime of the nation.
Speech 2: from point of view of Moral Absolutism:
Hello to everyone,
After going through the facts of Malaysian corporal punishment, I was shaken to the core. Being a Moral Absolutism I find this practice wrongful and immoral. Have you all ever given a thought that what would happen to the world if ethics, morals, justice is all vanished.
I would like to mention that slavery would have never ended in the United States if everyone would support moral relativism. However, I consider such punishment as brutal and inhuman.
There are better ways of controlling crime rates. One such measure is to educate the public; another is to provide jobs to jobless. In my opinion nobody would want t be a criminal or want to violate laws on his will. However, under difficult circumstances people conduct immoral acts like crimes or violate laws.
To bring them back on the right path by not being brutal should be the responsibility of the government. It is always easy to lose the moral track and choose the immoral act. But the earth will become hell if every individual chooses unethical path.
In my opinion such a cruel punishment should be banned; as this act will always be considered as wrong and incorrect. Here I rest my speech, by adding that God created this beautiful world, in order to support it remain beautiful, we all can contribute by being morally, socially and ethically correct.
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