Draft 2 (with spell-check): Are we as good as we say we are?

This topic submitted by Rob Dolan, Rick Dsida, Angela Hagely ( dolanre@muohio.edu ) on 2/3/06. [ Human Nature Team: Rob Dolan, Rick Dsida, Angela Hagely-Section: Cummins/Wolfe]

Our study seeks to analyze the dissonance between the moral codes and laws of society and those of the individual. It also will examine the degree to which an individual adheres to their own moral "framework". Laws such at minimum sentencing laws set standards of punishment for many crimes, but does society truly believe these crimes to be as bad as the punishment would make it seem. Through preliminary research of minimum sentence laws and how they have been interpreted in court trials we will look at how society interprets a crime. To examine the dissonance between the individual and society, we will examine literature and movies which depict society's views on morality. For example, in the movie "Boondock Saints" we will examine through survey whether viewers believe the vigilante actions of the protagonists of the movie to be "good" or "evil". Finally, to determine the levels to which a person adheres to their own moral "framework" we will survey individuals asking them the degree which they believe a crime is "evil", and then questioning their actions in a morally-difficult situation (i.e. "To what degree do you believe stealing is wrong?", and later "Would you steal food to keep from starving?"). It is human nature to create structure and order around them, and many believe that organized beliefs such as laws are necessary for humanity to survive. However, is an organized system man's true habitat? This study will question the nature of human societal organization, and what we label as "good" and "evil" within that society.

Next Article
Previous Article
Return to the Topic Menu