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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

MODULE 5: A child's right to lenience

Spring courses
  1. Phil 3375 - The Meaning of Life
  2. The ethics minor
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Next week--RR31 is due on Nov 19 (worth 5 points instead of 1)

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Recap

Our discussion of "no age voting" last time
  • John Wall: It's discriminatory/involves a double standard that (A) we exclude children from voting based on their lack of competence, but (B) we generally don't exclude old people who lose competence.
  • We discussed lots of different responses and you will vote on which is the best!
Possible responses

  1. No double standard. Technically, there's no double standard because Wall is comparing gaining the right to vote (need competence) and retaining the right to vote (don't need competence).
  2. Exclude more people. We should continue excluding children and also exclude some older people to avoid discrimination/a double standard.
  3. Influence is the reason.  The reason for for excluding children isn’t competence in the first place; rather, it's the fact that children are under their parents influence, so can't vote independently.
  4. Protection is the reason. The reason for excluding children isn’t competence in the first place; rather, it's protecting children, keeping them carefree
  5. Not demeaning. Wrongful discrimination has to be demeaning (Bidadanure).  Children aren’t demeaned by not voting, but old people would be demeaned by losing the right to vote. 
What's your view of no-age voting?
  1. Great idea
  2. Intrigued
  3. Terrible idea
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Lenience for child criminals
  • lenience (definition):  the fact or quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected; clemency.
  • children tried in juvenile court ... but judge can decide to try a minor as an adult
  • lighter sentences--
Gideon Yaffe (YAFF--ee)
Amazon