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1. The Declaration of Independence refers to the “pursuit of happiness.” Should the word “pleasure” be substituted for “happiness?” Why/ why not?
- No, I think happiness is a good word. Pleasure implies too much leniency. Pleasure allows for excessive personal freedoms that may negatively affect others.
-No, “pleasure” could involve more liberal things than “happiness” and the declaration is for independence, so people can pursue all the pleasure they desire, but the statement should still be rather conservative.
2. Are there any causes or principles that you would risk your life to defend? If so, what are they?
-The only thing that I would risk my life for is family and freedom.
- I would risk my life to defend keeping ‘God’ in our schools, in the pledge of allegiance, on the dollar bills, etc. I think it’s absolutely insane that people want to take “one nation under God” out of the pledge. I would die to defend this issue.
3. Do you owe any duties to people in the future? People in the past? Why/ why not? If so identify those that you find most important.
- It is hard to make it through life and not owe duties to people in your past, present, or future. Currently, I have a duty to my mentors to complete projects. In the past, I have had duties to friends and family. The importance of these duties is very situational, while at school the duties associate will be first in my mind.
-People in the future- Future kids and husband (as a mom you’re responsible for your children and husband. People in the past- Parents (they raised me well and took care of me, so I have to take care of them when they get old.)
4. The primary aim of education is _____________________? Explain.
- To create a better life for future generations
- The primary aim of education is to educate and teach about life and be educated.
- The primary aim of education is to help students learn and become successful in their careers.
- The primary aim of education is to help children to become successful and get where they want to be in life.
- Lifelong learning process!!
- Prepare the youth for the world of adult life. Education is a means to a more intelligent society that upholds the morals and values of the time.
- Primary aim of education is to educate one-self about their surroundings and learning from experience. Not all education has to take place from a text book. You can educate yourself anywhere.
-To educate and further the knowledge of students in order for them to be able to provide optimal service in their chosen career.
5. If you were managing a group house, would you have any rules? Why/why not? If you would have rules, how would you devise and establish them? Identify at least three.
6. Should there be any general statement of “human rights” applicable across the world—even if it can not be enforced? Why/ why not? If such a statement should exist identify at least three “universal human rights.”
- There shouldn’t be a statement of “human rights” across the world if it’s not applied. In my definition, human rights means that every human being already born in this world, be it a woman, man, child, blind, deaf, handicapped, etc. should be treated with the same respect. This would not apply to many countries which still give men and woman different education, mutilate women and children, or force someone into a certain career because of their caste. To me, these inequalities are inhuman, but in many other cultures these practices have purpose and are considered normal. We can say every one is human, but that doesn’t equate to equal freedom and opportunities for everyone, then it doesn’t mean anything. It would only be an empty statement.
7. What qualities do you value in your friends? Do your friends help make you a better person? If so, identify the qualities that make you better. Do you try to help your friends become better people? Why?
- I value honesty and trust. Sometimes they help but a lot of them are concerned with themselves. I try to help them by listening to them because all people want is to be listened to.
- Stability, comfort, ambition, honesty, support. Yes, my most valuable friends are the ones that help me become a better person. The things your friends say and do inevitably rub off on you. It makes me feel good to support my friends. Their accomplishments are as important as my own.
- Selflessness and trust and people who make me laugh. Friends should always make you a better person. They should make you happier and always be there and call you out when you are out of line. Yes, because I’d hope they’d do the same.
- There are many qualities that I value in a friend but some that really stick out to me are compassion, a good listener, and someone that isn’t scared to tell you the truth. Yes, my friends help me everyday to become a better person because they hold me accountable for my actions and make me want to do me best in all that I do. I try to help me friends become better people because I want them to be happy.
- In my friends, I value reliability. I’m sure we have all hear that a friend in need is a friend indeed and I definitely agree. But I look for a friend, group of friends that do not need a precarious situation to clarify them as my friend; throughout good times and bad friends share life with you. No matter what circumstance bring you together, I believe that good friends share common values, honesty, integrity, respect, as well as humor. In my life now, I definitely look for friends that will better my character, folks whom share my substance and mutually benefit from having me around. Friends help make you a better person because misery does live company and company keeps people miserable. I not only try to help friends become better people, but also help them enjoy themselves well because if I am down I would love to have someone like me around, the world would be much better with more me’s around.
- Loyalty, independence, mental strength, intelligence. Yes, friends make you a better person. Friends keep you honest to others and yourself while allowing the opportunity for healthy competition and growth. I definitely try to make my friends better people. I like to surround myself with people who have goals and ambitions.
8. What are the basic traits of good leadership? Are any of those traits ethical in nature? Explain.
- Good traits for good leadership are to have belief in what you are going. To either lead by voice or example. Very ethical.
- Responsible, trustworthy, optimistic, people person. I think that if you were brought up well most of the traits are inborn, but some are learned through life.
9. Would you pursue the truth even if doing so caused you to doubt your basic beliefs and assumptions? Why?
10. How is a good life defined?
- A good life can be defined as a life of balance, one in which work and play are equally emphasized. Satisfaction and happiness is attempted and strived toward in a goal type of plan of life. One’s good life does not apply to all- it is not universal.
- To me a good life is being happy with where you are in life.
- A good life is defined by being successful and fulfilling all your dreams and aspirations, basically being happy.
- “An ordinary life is left to ordinary people”
- Successful- success entailing happiness in all aspects. Not necessarily tangible things, but how you feel about what you have. Being satisfied.
- Happiness
- Good income, enough to support you family and also some space for good quality fun.
11. How will the career you are contemplating help you lead a good life?
- The career that I have will help me be happy and love what I do in life.
- By the authenticity of one’s true happiness.
- I’m contemplating a career in some type of animal behavior. I believe that this will be able to help me lead a good life by becoming involved in society. Hopefully I will be able to educate students on how the animal world works and how politics affect everyday life. By pursuing my career, I’m pursuing my education which in part will help my knowledge in politics. If I can help all I can make sure certain rights are maintained and that the world becomes a better place. I believe that would be leading a good life. Obviously world peace will not come about through me, but every person makes a difference.
12. Assume an ethics pill could be devised that would make people kinder and more self disciplined. If there were no harmful side effects would you take such a pill? (Consider two underlining Questions: Is happiness found in the process of molding a character-learning from failures and mistakes? Would the world be better off if St. Augustine or Malcolm X had taken ethic pills early in there life?)
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