Nazi Germany overtook Europe in the early 20th Century, resistance movements sprung up in the occupied countries, and many civilians risked – and lost – their lives against Nazisim

At the very end of Chapter 13, there is a Group Exercise that asks: What ideals would you go to war to defend? We are not going to ask you to go to war, but we are going to ask you to think about what ideals or values you believe would be worth defending – even to the point of risking your life in their defense. When Nazi Germany overtook Europe in the early 20th Century, resistance movements sprung up in the occupied countries, and many civilians risked – and lost – their lives against Nazisim. Today, in Saudi Arabia, women who protested restrictions on the rights of women imposed by that country have been jailed, and remain jailed, even after some of the rights they asked for have been granted. Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, address the following: What core values would you risk your life and freedom to defend? Could a nation going to war be appropriate in certain circumstances – or is war never an appropriate response? This is not a group exercise – post your thoughts, considering the scenarios proposed in the text or any others you find important. Be sure to give your reasons for your answer. Notice that this exercise requires deductive reasoning. You are stating a position and supporting it with "top-down" reasoning. Be sure to review the Three Features of Ideological Reasoning. Apply these concepts as you create your arguments and evaluate those of your peers. Remember that you are using ideological reasoning here. Is your post structured like an ideological argument, beginning with a general idea (opinion, belief, or principle) and moving down from these abstractions to their specific applications? The text warns us that ideological arguments often fail the test of the Truthfulness of the Premises. Have you tested the truth of your premises? Note You will be writing here about what you value highly. Others may not share your values. Indeed, you may find that someone will write something that is entirely opposed to your values. As critical thinkers and reasoners, we do not take offense because someone disagrees with us. Critical thinkers examine their argument, and the arguments of others, objectively, rationally, and logically. Critical thinkers and reasoners do not find the opinions of others “right” or “wrong” – they find them well-supported or not well-supported. Respect the opinion of your classmates. If you feel the need to disagree, do so respectfully and acknowledge the valid points in your classmate's argument. Do not write anything that sounds angry or sarcastic even as a joke, because without hearing your tone of voice, your peers might not realize you are joking. The real objective here is discovering what values and beliefs are important to you and whether or not you have a sound basis for those beliefs.

Sample Solution

Core Values Worth Defending

There are certain core values that I believe are so fundamental to a just and free society that I would be willing to risk my life and freedom to defend them. These values include:

Human Dignity and Equality: Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor. This includes the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Freedom of Speech and Expression: Open and free exchange of ideas is essential for a healthy democracy. People should be able to express their opinions and beliefs without fear of reprisal.
Justice and the Rule of Law: Everyone should be subject to the same laws, and there should be a fair and impartial justice system to uphold those laws.

These values are interconnected. Human dignity cannot exist without equality, and a just society requires freedom of expression and the rule of law.

War and its Appropriateness

The question of whether war is ever an appropriate response is a complex one. Ideally, all conflicts would be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and negotiation. However, there are situations where war may be necessary as a last resort, such as:

Self-Defense: When a nation is under imminent attack, it has the right to defend itself.
Stopping Genocide or Crimes Against Humanity: If a government is systematically murdering its own people, the international community may have a responsibility to intervene, even militarily.

It's important to remember that war should always be a last resort, and any decision to go to war should be made with careful consideration of the potential costs, both human and economic.

Full Answer Section

Examples and Reasoning

The examples provided in the text highlight the importance of these core values. The resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Europe were defending themselves against a regime that denied them their basic human rights and dignity. The women protesting in Saudi Arabia are fighting for the right to equality and freedom of expression.

These are just a few examples, and there are countless others throughout history where people have fought and died for what they believe in. While war is a terrible tragedy, there are times when it may be necessary to defend these core values from those who seek to destroy them.

Addressing Counterarguments

Some might argue that self-preservation is the highest value, and that risking one's life is never justified. However, I believe that living in a society that upholds these core values is more important than simply staying alive. Additionally, fighting for these values can inspire others and create positive change for future generations.

Conclusion

The decision to fight for what you believe in is never easy. However, I believe that the core values of human dignity, equality, freedom of expression, and justice are worth defending, even at great cost. By standing up for these values, we can create a better world for ourselves and for future generations.

We are here to help

We have crazy offers

It’s quick and easy to place an order. We have an efficient customer service that works 24/7 to assist you.It’s quick and easy to place an order. We have an efficient customer service that works 24/7 to assist you.

We are here and ready to help

Order Now