fandomhigh | Ethics [Tuesday, January 26, 2nd period]

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?"

"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."

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"It's not necessary to be humiliated, though on occasion it's rather amusing to see someone else have to eat theri words."

Anakin cocked up an eyebrow. "And you don't think taking joy in the misfortunes of others might be a bit prideful in itself?"

"I didn't say that it wasn't," Helen said. "But I still think you don't necessarily have to be humiliated to learn."

"Why not?" Anakin asked.

"Because a wise person can look at the mistakes of others - present or past and learn from them," Helen said. And if it sounded as if she was repeating something that had been drilled into her over and over, well... that's only because it had been.

Anakin snorted. "A wise person, maybe. But a regular person doesn't tend to have that same kind of retention. If it worked like that, humanity wouldn't be repeating the stupid mistakes over and over and over again like we do. We'd read a book, say 'oh, that's stupid' and never do it."

She shrugged. "My point stands. I didn't say it was true for everyone. Just that it isn't always necessary to be humiliated to learn. I didn't need to be nearly eaten by a village of cannibals to know it wasn't wise to trust them."

Anakin shrugged. "Sounds like a failure of diplomacy."

"It was a failure of something," Helen scoffed. "Namely a failure of Jamie being unwilling to admit he didn't know what the symbol stood for."

"But cannibals aren't eating all the time," Anakin argued. "You can successfully navigate a meeting with them without ending up on the menu. There's a species of carnivorous insect that view humans as a prime delicacy. As long as you don't expose your neck, you're fine."

Helen shook her head. "No, we were Walking the Bounds. If you arrive on their planet you are considered dinner. There is no negotiation. One does not negotiate with cattle or vegetables. But yes, normally I would agree that one could do so."

Anakin gave her a slightly amused smile and walked away. He'd negotiated with species who could be considered both.

Ethics [Tuesday, January 26, 2nd period]

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