To Get Full Credit For This Discussion Board Students Must

To Get Full Credit For This Discussion Board Students Mustsubmit An

To get full credit for this Discussion Board, students must: Submit an initial post addressing questions 1 and 2 below Finish the initial post with an open-ended question for the class Respond to at least one classmate's posting by addressing the classmate's open-ended question Use standard English grammar and spelling Topic In a democratic nation, people vote for policy changes and government officials. On many occasions, new policies regard the environment, health, and education; additionally, politicians campaign using these policies as supportive or weakening arguments to be elected or re-elected. Questions 1. Most people are not scientifically literate, should they still be allowed to vote? Explain your answer. 2. What measures would you consider ethical and moral, if any, to ensure that the voting public is educated to cast their votes based on the correct interpretation of factual data instead of the influence of fake news? Explain the rationale for your proposed measures. 3. Ask an open-ended question to your classmates on the topic of this discussion or a closely related topic. Students' participation will be graded as follows: Did Not post or Posted Late (0%) ____________________________________________________________ An initial post that clearly shows that the student has researched to answer all three questions. 1. Relevant information supports the answers (65%) and 2. Includes references (70%) or An initial post that clearly shows that the student has researched to answer only two questions. 1. Relevant information supports the answers (50%) and 2. Includes references (55%) or An initial post that clearly shows that the student has researched to answer only one question. 1. Relevant information supports the answer (40%) and 2. Includes references (45%) or The student provides a thoughtful response to a classmate's open-ended question. (The student must answer the question substantially) (30%) ____________________________________________________________________________ An initial post that clearly shows that the student has researched to answer all three questions. 1. Relevant information supports the answers 2. Includes references and 3. The student provides a thoughtful response to a classmate's open-ended question. (The student must answer the question substantially) (100%) Due Date 01/31/2021 Tip: Reading Chapter 1 should help to elaborate your post. 0

Paper For Above instruction

In democratic societies, voting is a fundamental process through which citizens influence policy decisions and elect representatives who shape the nation's future. A recurring debate questions whether individuals who lack scientific literacy should be permitted to vote, especially given the complexity of scientific issues affecting policy domains such as health, environment, and education. This paper explores whether scientific literacy should be a voting requirement and examines measures to ensure voters make informed decisions in an era dominated by misinformation.

Should scientifically illiterate individuals be allowed to vote?

The question of whether individuals lacking scientific knowledge should be allowed to vote is ethically complex. On one hand, democracy values universal suffrage; restricting voting rights based on scientific literacy could undermine fundamental democratic principles of equality and inclusivity. Historically, voting rights were expanded to marginalized groups irrespective of education levels, emphasizing that political participation should not be limited based on knowledge, especially since scientific literacy varies widely among populations. However, the increasing impact of scientific issues on public policy raises concerns about informed decision-making. Scientific literacy enhances a voter's ability to comprehend complex issues like climate change, vaccines, or genetic engineering—topics that critically influence public welfare.

Ethical measures to promote informed voting

To address the challenge of misinformation and ensure that voters make decisions based on factual data, ethical and moral measures should focus on education and information literacy. One approach involves implementing comprehensive civic and scientific education programs in schools from an early age, fostering critical thinking skills. Additionally, governments and non-governmental organizations could develop accessible, unbiased information portals providing factual summaries of controversial issues, which help voters evaluate policies effectively. A moral measure might involve regulating false advertising and misleading political campaigns, holding candidates accountable for disseminating misinformation. Furthermore, promoting media literacy initiatives to help voters discern credible sources from fake news is essential in cultivating an informed electorate. These measures uphold the ethical principle of respecting citizens' autonomy while ensuring they are empowered to make informed decisions.

Open-ended question for discussion

How can technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, be leveraged to combat misinformation and improve the integrity of information accessible to voters in democratic societies?

Conclusion

While denying voting rights based on scientific literacy raises ethical concerns about equality, the complexity of policy issues necessitates measures to ensure informed voting. Education, regulation, and technological tools collectively can foster an environment where voters are better equipped to interpret factual data, facilitating democracy's deliberative processes. Ultimately, a balance between inclusivity and informed participation is crucial for the legitimacy and efficacy of democratic governance.

References

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• Pennycook, G., & Rand, D. G. (2019). Fighting misinformation on social media using crowdsourced judgments of news source quality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(7), 2521-2526.
• Sperry, L. (2018). Ethical considerations in science communication. Public Understanding of Science, 27(1), 59-75.
• Stead, D. (2018). Building digital resilience: combating misinformation. Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, 20(3), 239-252.
• Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Yale University Press.