Ethics [Thursday, September 17, 1st period]

[sith_happened]

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."

Comments

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[trigons_child]

"I do not think humiliation is required to learn," Raven said, frowning slightly. "It is a different way of learning, though not one I would prefer."

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[sith_happened]

"What would you prefer?" Anakin asked.

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[trigons_child]

"I would prefer that I learn quickly and without mistakes," Raven said. "I know it is not always possible, and it also depends in some part on the skills of the teacher."

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[sith_happened]

Anakin smiled. "Because even teachers aren't perfect," he replied.

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[trigons_child]

Raven nodded. "Much would depend upon how well the teacher knows a subject, how much passion he or she feels for it, and how much attention is paid to the students. The teaching is as much a matter of pride as the learning."

Re: Answer the questions [Ethics 9/17]

[sith_happened]

"It also depends on what the teacher is hoping to accomplish," Anakin said. "If he wants the students to take pride in their own accomplishments, or merely to reflect well upon his own name."