"Ethics and Animals"

"What concrete measures should we, us students, take ?"

To begin with, I didn't watch the video because I had previously seen a report on TV about the mistreatment of animals in factory farms and slaughterhouses and I found it highly shocking and shameful. 

So, I would like to share my view because I really feel concerned about this issue. 

Indeed, I am a strong advocate of animal rights and I can't understand why people who harm and ill-treat them are not punished more severely by law. 

Anyway, we have to think about concrete measures that we should take. 

As far as I am concerned, I am trying to eat as much as possible organic food or to buy labelizzed meats and poultries since in this types of livestock, animals can roam freely on small farms and ranches, never from a feedlot. 

I know that it can be quite expensive to buy such food products but we can sometimes make an effort so as to improve things.

Furthermore, I agree with the people that suggest to reduce our consumption of meat because on the one hand, it may limit the slaughter of animals and on the other hand doctors say we really need to eat less red and processed meat since it leads to arterial sclerosis, cancer and autoimmune disease.

To conclude, by making every effort to protect animals, we will protect ourselves as well.

Magali

"Do you think pacifism is a good thing ? To what extent (militarism, defencivism, pacificism, absolute pacifism…) ? "

First of all, I am quite in favour of pacific beliefs because to my mind, war in general brings misery and grief to people and doesn't truly solve conflicts. Moreover, in some cases, I'm not really convinced that war is warranted. For instance, I am outraged by colonial wars. 

However, I am aware that war is sometimes inevitable in the event of invasion of our country. For example, we can live in peace nowadays thanks to the actions and to the sacrifice of the resistance during World War II.

We could also say that in the face of mass atrocities and genocide, pacifism is hardly relevant. But we could take a everyday lives' example as well : if we witness an assault, I think that it's not excusable that we let the person mugged without trying to rescue her only because we back absolute pacifism. Furthermore, in France, the failure to assist a person in danger is punishable by law.

So, as far as I am concerned, I believe that pacifism is a good thing if it doesn't turn into passivity on crime.

Magali 

Surrogate mothers

Nowadays, we suspect that the phenomenon of surrogate mothers will spread. Indeed, this practice is already used in other countries like the United States for example. 

• What do you think of this phenomenon?
• Do you agree with this idea?
• Should we extend this practice also in France?

China and the United States signed the COP21 agreement

During the COP21, an agreement has been written to limit to 2°C the global warming until 2100 instead of 4-6°C for the worst-case scenario. 

China and the United States have recently ratified the agreement.

Barack Obama said:"Just as I believe the Paris agreement will ultimatly prove to be a turning point for our planet, I believe that history will judge today's effort as pivotal."

Do you agree? Do you think that it is an important moment in history?

Here are some links for you to make your own idea:

official info from the US government

news article from the Guardian

Please always justify your position. 

Editions - (classe TL)

"The Boleyn Inheritance" Philippa Gregory, édition : FSC + HARPER COLLINS
"Of Mice and Men" John Steinbeck, édition : Modern Classics, Penguin Classics
"The White Witch of Rosehall" Hebert G. de Lisser, édition : MacMillan Caribbean, (Novelty Trading Company).
Enjoy!
P.S.  If you love reading, you can buy all three books, otherwise wait until you know who your teacher is to buy : "Of Mice and Men" and "The Boleyn Inheritance".

Summer reading S/ES & L (classes euro)

S/ES

" Black Beauty" Anna Sewell, édition : Oxford Bookworms
"Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" : R.L. Stevenson, édition : Oxford Bookworms
"The Fifth Child" Doris Lessing : édition : Harper Perennial (front cover : Doris Lessing
WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2007
THE FIFTH CHILD)



L
"Black Beauty" Anna Sewell, édition : Oxford Bookworms
"The Bride Price" Buchi Emecheta : édition : Oxford Bookworms
"The Fifth Child" Doris Lessing : édition : Harper Perennial (front cover : Doris Lessing
WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2007
THE FIFTH CHILD)


You will be informed of the last book later.

Summer reading & for next year (terminale L)

"The White Witch of Rosehall" Herbert G.de Lissser, édition : Macmillan Caribbean


"Of Mice & Men" John Steinbeck
"The Boleyn Inheritance" Philippa Gregory

You will be given the editions for "Of Mice & Men" and "The Boleyn Inheritance" soon.