The Philosophy of Values: Period #3 - Class #9 - 11/09

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

As students made their way into the class this morning they had their choice of coffee or tea and a variety of pastries. Wilson himself was seated behind the desk, a far away look on his pale face. When everyone was in and settled, he unfolded himself from his chair and walked around to the front of the desk.

“Good morning. Today we’re going to discuss two ideas: forgiveness vs revenge and in conjunction with this, cooperation vs confrontation.”

Rubbing his hand across his forehead, he lowered it and flicked on the overhead.


Lecture:

“First, I’d like us to see some working definitions and histories for these words.”

Starting with Forgiveness, Wilson went on to flick through Revenge, Cooperation and finally Confrontation.

“Now, let’s talk a little about these pieces as individuals and how they affect and skew our view of the application of our gift.”

Clicking off the overhead, Wilson picked up a cup of tea and began to pace.

“Revenge, might be a concept that many of us feel a close association with. Revenge against the person who took the last muffin you wanted in the cafeteria, revenge against the driver who cut me off on the road, revenge against a people or a person for the death of a loved one in battle or because of war. It’s a basic mortal instinct to seek out to even the balance of a wrong against us but where do you draw the line?”

Turning, Wilson leaned back against the desk and sipped his tea.

Class Participation:

“As an oncologist, I have the ability to script out pain medication. Say I’m on the road one morning driving into the hospital and another driver cuts me off, maybe even flicks me off as he does so. Later in the day, the same guy comes into the hospital in great pain due to, oh I don’t know… a migraine. What’s to keep me from refusing to give this guy anything stronger than an aspirin? There’s nothing that says I have to script him out the proper medication for a migraine. In fact I could probably write up in his chart a medical reason why I didn’t…but how do I know I’m not just getting my revenge on him for cutting me off? And if I am…would you say that my retribution is equal to the original infraction?”

After giving the class some time to discuss the question, Wilson called attention back to him as he poured another cup of tea.

“Now, the other side of the equation if you will: forgiveness. A word that gets bandied about a lot but what does it mean? When you are in a situation where another party has wronged you, who exactly are you forgiving? It would seem to be an easy answer, right? You’re forgiving the other person, but is that really the case, might not forgiveness be even closer than that. Do you forgive people or do you forgive situations and who does forgiveness help the most?”

Sipping his tea, Wilson set it down on the desk and then hopped up to sit beside it.

“Going back to my example for revenge, if I forgive the guy who cut me off and apply my medical gift for a positive outcome for this man…who does it affect more? The guy who cut me off? Or me?”

Homework:

Finally, after everyone had had a chance to talk, Wilson slid down off the desk and pulled a packet of white papers and blue books out of his brief case.

“Okay, if you’ve been reading your syllabus you know that this is your second test and it’s a take home. I’m giving you two blue books, but feel free to pick up more on your way out the door.”

[ooc: Please wait for The OCDs are up, class is in session and you will find the test questions in the Test OCD. :)]

Comments

Sign In

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

In a neat little collapsable line if you like.

Re: Sign In

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair Sandburg

Re: Sign In

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow Rosenberg

Re: Sign In

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe Halliwell

Class Participation Part 1

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

“As an oncologist, I have the ability to script out pain medication. Say I’m on the road one morning driving into the hospital and another driver cuts me off, maybe even flicks me off as he does so. Later in the day, the same guy comes into the hospital in great pain due to, oh I don’t know… a migraine. What’s to keep me from refusing to give this guy anything stronger than an aspirin? There’s nothing that says I have to script him out the proper medication for a migraine. In fact I could probably write up in his chart a medical reason why I didn’t…but how do I know I’m not just getting my revenge on him for cutting me off? And if I am…would you say that my retribution is equal to the original infraction?”

Want to comment about Revenge? Here's your chance!

Re: Class Participation Part 1

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"The punishment really doesn't seem to fit the crime," Willow said.

Re: Class Participation Part 1

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Do you mind if I ask a question?" Blair looked between Willow and Dr. Wilson before continuing. "Is it the fact that it doesn't seem to fit the crime that makes it unacceptable? If Dr. Wilson had the opportunity to cut the man off going into the hospital parking lot or not validate his parking or something would that make the revenge acceptable?"

Re: Class Participation Part 1

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow mulled it over. "I don't know about acceptable so much as fair? Like the guy brought on instant karma? Plus it could be argued that it was a natural consequence of his actions. If Dr. Wilson told him that he was the guy who got cut off, then this guy might learn that it's not nice to be a jerk to people."

Re: Class Participation Part 1

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe shook her head. "The punishment doesn't fit the original infraction and by giving him just the aspirin you, yourself, would always have that doubt if you did it for medical reasons or for petty revenge."

Class Participation Part 2

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

“Now, the other side of the equation if you will: forgiveness. A word that gets bandied about a lot but what does it mean? When you are in a situation where another party has wronged you, who exactly are you forgiving? It would seem to be an easy answer, right? You’re forgiving the other person, but is that really the case, might not forgiveness be even closer than that. Do you forgive people or do you forgive situations and who does forgiveness help the most?”

“Going back to my example for revenge, if I forgive the guy who cut me off and apply my medical gift for a positive outcome for this man…who does it affect more? The guy who cut me off? Or me?”

Got some thoughts on Forgiveness? Share!

Re: Class Participation Part 2

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Does it count as forgiveness if the person doesn't apologize?" Blair asked. "If the guy who cut you off didn't say he was sorry and you treated him nicely is that forgiveness or just letting him walk all over you?"

Re: Class Participation Part 2

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

"Well, that's a good question, Blair."

Wilson grinned, because he was about to do that evil teachery thing.

"What do you think the answer is?"

Re: Class Participation Part 2

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Depending on how you look at it, it could be either answer." Blair leaned back, tapping his pencil on the desk.

"You could look at it as if forgiveness isn't dependant on a apology and it's purely for your own peace of mind. Or you could view it as a weakness, an inability to confront someone on what they did wrong and therefore allowing them to hurt you without recourse."

Re: Class Participation Part 2

[sensethevisions]

"It affects you more, as it should."

Talk amongst yourselves

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

For your whispering or note passing needs.

Or give the professor a reason to squee and actually...take notes in class!

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was indeed taking notes -- and wondering what would happen if she told James that she was having some thoughts about forgiveness and revenge that weren't the best...

Homework - THE TEST

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

Wilson has passed out a take home test, with blue books -Willow and Blair may glee here- for your answers.

The Test:

Instructions: You are on your honor with this test to answer this question for yourself and not as a group.

Question:

Today in class we discussed the ideas of Forgiveness vs Revenge and went over the definition of Cooperation and Confrontation. In the blue books provided, please write an essay using what you and your classmates discussed in class about Forgiveness and Revenge to address the debate of Cooperation vs Confrontation.

Points to address. Yes, this means I will grade on the response to these ideas.

What is the arguement for cooperation over confrontation or visa versa?
Is one *always* better than the other or is there a time and a place for both?
How does the philosophy of revenge affect Cooperation? How does it affect Confrontation?
How does the philosophy of Forgiveness affect Cooperation? How does it affect Confrontation?

Re: Homework - THE TEST

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked over the test questions and then smiled. This would be a test she knew she could do well on. She was feeling very prolific... and even grabbed an extra blue book.

Talk to Wilson

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

Catch him after class with questions about the test or... just questions.

Willow? Blair? Got a project for him?

Re: Talk to Wilson

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair bounced up to Wilson after class, but waited to hand over the report until Willow joined him.

"Hey, Dr. Wilson. Do you know if Azzy has office hours today?"

Re: Talk to Wilson

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

Inwardly, Wilson winced at the 'Azzy' but as it was Blair and he knew that the name tickled the angel to no end, he didn't say anything.

Instead he smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes he is (http://a-phale.livejournal.com/87943.html) Blair. Came up with me this morning."

Re: Talk to Wilson

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow had a thick report, complete with tables and charts, and a CD that held the Powerpoint presentation.

OOC -

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

%Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight....get down tonight.%

Re: OOC -

[sensethevisions]

*plots*

Re: OOC -

[narglette.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I didn't mean to miss the first class I could have Luna attend in forever, but my brain, she is dumb. I've spent the last two days off by one and as such, I thought yesterday was Wednesday and today Thursday. (I don't have an answer for how it happened other that to say that sometimes? My brain takes vacations without me.)