Compassion as a Question of Justice

Starter
Spirit Read: Skim back through last night's  reading and pick a line that stood out to you.
Also, use this time to jot down questions/confusions/lines you didn't quite understand

Mini-lesson: Structure of Logical Arguments

Structure of a logical argument
A logical argument is a claim defined with reasons composed of a group of premises supporting a conclusion.  It rests of the validity of each premise logically leading to a conclusion.

• Premise: statement within an argument used to support the conclusion; it is an assumption that something is true
• Reasons/Evidence/Anecdotes: These are simply certain types of premises that can lead to the conclusion
• Conclusion: The final outcome of the argument, what is proven to be true,  often similar to the premise

Two Ways An Argument can Fail

1. If one or more of the premises are false. If one of the assumptions or reasons are wrong, the conclusion can’t be right.
2. All the claims/premises can be TRUE but they don’t add up to a correct conclusion. Example: So it is the first day of class, it is September, therefore you are a student.
   
   

Whole Class Discussion “Compassion as a Question of  Justice” 
Discussion Questions  linked here!
Make sure you’re tracking each premise and overall conclusion to help you with Tuesday’s Justice Monologues and today's final reaction.

NOTE:  The goal of discussion should be to do our BEST and DEEPEST thinking. The point is that we are collectively creating an environment where we can determine if the authors' arguments are good. Are they based on logical reasoning? So, we're on a team.  This isn't about defending your own viewpoint and proving yourself to be right.  Debates like that do not work to challenge premises and think more deeply because all you are trying to do is win your debate.

So rather, the goal of the discussion is to better understand the best arguments on both sides. The goal is GREATER understanding NOT to be RIGHT.   The goal is DEEPER understanding and so when you’re disagreeing to someone, you don’t snap at them, you say, wow, that really doesn’t initially make sense to me, can you explain that more?  Or here is why it isn’t squaring with me….

Background info (page 60)
Liu Xiaobo
Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese writer, literary critic, human rights activist, philosopher and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who called for political reforms and was involved in campaigns to end communist one-party rule in China. Some referred to him as "China's Nelson Mandela." 

Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is the leader of the National League for Democracy and the first and incumbent State Counsellor, a position akin to a prime minister.  Criticized recently for human rights violations.  Read more here