Student Tribune
Scholars' Day Preview
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND MCC SCHOLARS' DAY
2019
What if some inquisitive and productive minds at MCC got together for a day
and freely shared their diverse constellation of discoveries and creations with
everyone?
That day is Tuesday, May 7th, 2019. All members of the MCC
community are urged to spend some time in building 12 on the Brighton campus
exploring the insights and achievements shared by students and faculty in
poster, oral presentation, and debate formats. (The debate will be in building
3's atrium.)
No matter what your interests and experience, you are guaranteed to find
something fascinating and come away inspired. You have the power to add meaning
to the endeavors of these hard-working scholars by showing your interest in
their work.
One of the upcoming presentations is described below. Watch for additional
examples from other disciplines in future announcements.
The Steaks Are High: High Costs for Cheap Meat
Presenter: Jeannine Amico
Sponsor: Professor Thomas Blake (English/Philosophy)
According to utilitarianism, an action is "moral" or "immoral" insofar as it
benefits or harms the collective. The "moral" choice maximizes well-being
and/or reduces the most suffering. When applying this philosophical framework
to factory farming and meat consumption in America, we must weigh the "pros"
and "cons" of our agricultural practices. Factory farming clearly meets demand
and provides meat at a low cost to US consumers. Americans can eat protein-rich
food every meal, and there is still enough meat to export to other countries,
providing an additional economic benefit. On the other hand, high meat
consumption has been linked directly to obesity and an array of health problems
that increase healthcare costs for everyone. Furthermore, factory farming has
significantly contributed to global warming and the depletion of natural
resources. When exploring this issue, perhaps we should focus less on "animal
rights" and more on how factory farming may negatively impact the long-term
well-being of our species.
For more information on Scholars' Day, visit https://www.monroecc.edu/ev
ents/scholars-day/
Parker, Michelle
Scholars' Day Committee
04/23/2019