sith_happened: (Anakin: making an entrance)
Anakin Skywalker ([personal profile] sith_happened) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-09-27 12:07 am
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Ethics [Thursday, September 27]

When the students came into the classroom, they found Anakin scrawling a quote on the board:

“In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”--John Ruskin


He turned around with an eyebrow raised. "Is Master Ruskin correct? How about Master Lao Tzu? He said: 'Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one's status in the eyes of others; and shame is fear of humiliation at one's inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets his heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he is automatically involved in fear of losing his status.'"

He began pacing around the room. "Does pride always go before a fall? Do we have to be humiliated before we can learn? How high do the stakes have to be before we'll admit we've made a mistake, or have been fooled?"

Anakin wasn't making eye contact with Jaina as he gazed around the room. This topic hit a little too close to home for him to be entirely comfortable looking at family.

"In order to deal ethically with other people, we need to acknowledge this very human flaw in ourselves and others. We want to believe that we are different, better than everyone around us." His gaze sharpened. "We're not. Everything is connected. You, me, the desks, the rocks outside, the deer in the preserve, the annoying person in the dorm who plays their music too loudly. Take pride in being yourself, certainly," he concluded. "But don't for a moment believe that who you are makes you more than the person sitting next to you. Because that kind of pride is where you make your first mistake."

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] missed-the-gate.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It was early, and there'd been a party last night, which meant it was more difficult than usual for John to keep his eyes open. You can listen with your eyes closed, right?

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
River threw a piece of crumpled paper at John, aiming for it to get stuck in his hair without him noticing.

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] missed-the-gate.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
It being difficult not to notice paper becoming stuck in your hair when totally awake and just resting your eyes, John ran a hand through his hair to dislodge her projectile. He then looked around for his attacker.

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
River suddenly looked totally absorbed in what Anakin was saying at the moment.

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] missed-the-gate.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
John sat up straight as his eyes shot open at the noise. "I'm awake!" No, he wasn't.

Re: Listen to the lecture [9/27]

[identity profile] missed-the-gate.livejournal.com 2007-09-27 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
John muttered a quick, "Yes, sir."

He wasn't looking for any reason to not be able to stay out late on his date Friday.