Ethics [Thursday, April 3]

[sith_happened]

Today the desks in Anakin's classroom had been pushed along the walls and replaced with cushy pillows and blankets.

"Today we talk about sloth," Anakin said, holding himself even more carefully and clearly uncomfortable with the very idea of relaxing. The students were certainly not expected to be held to the same standard.

"Originally, sloth was described as 'an uneasiness of the mind'," Anakin continued. "Apathy. Melancholy. Joylessness. And importantly, the decision not to do anything about it."

He shrugged. "The modern view understands that the mind is slightly more complicated than that and sometimes it is impossible to will yourself not to be sad. Instead, this sin focuses on the failure to utilize your talents and gifts."

He made eye contact with each student. "In a place filled with as many talented people as this one, I can view it as almost criminal to not live up to the potential each of you has. Today, pair up and talk about what your plans for the summer are, and how what you will be doing will be helping you in what you might think of as your greater destiny."

He waved at the blankets. "Or embrace your inner sloth and take a nap. Being tiny this weekend can be tiring."

Comments

Re: Talk to Anakin! (After Class)

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

She gave him a serious look. "Sir... can I ask you something that you may not want me to ask?"

The worst he could do was say no, right?

Re: Talk to Anakin! (After Class)

[sith_happened]

"You can ask," Anakin said. "I might not answer..."

Re: Talk to Anakin! (After Class)

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"That's fair." She swallowed and then looked at him. "How do you know when you have stopped helping and you become part of the problem? See... from what I have learned, I'm the first like me in our world. A child of a witch and a sorcerer and because of the two ceremonies... I'm bound to a lot of power. How do you know when you are part of the problem?"

Re: Talk to Anakin! (After Class)

[sith_happened]

"When you stop asking questions like that," Anakin said with a smile. "People who are abusing power aren't asking themselves if it's okay that they're doing it. They spend a lot of time justifying why they are right and the rest of the universe is wrong to themselves instead."