Monday, September 17, 2018

Philosophy 101 - Essay Block, Ch. 18


1. Give examples of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Philosophic Activist.  

                Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who definitely practiced what he preached, which is a common unit of measure for philosophers.  He declared a movement of non-violent resistance that provoked others into defying the cultural norm at the time by deliberately obstructing current social mores, as with the sit-ins, bus boycotts, and marches.  He philosophized that “… in the long run of history, immoral destructive means cannot bring about moral and constructive means.” (page 528) He challenged followers to evaluate their current standing in our society, and to challenge the injustice of certain regulations such as “separate but equal.” By stating that “we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive,” he likened his position as a leader and a thinker, similar to that of Socrates.

2. When public philosophers also "practice what they preach," they function much like sages or prophets in their capacity to provoke individual self-assessment and collective consciousness raising.  Do you agree with: the need for persons, with such a role in our society?  Explain.

                I definitely agree that, even in our modern society, people still need spiritual, intellectual, and moral guidance from others.  We look to religious and political leaders for our own personal moral decisions, on a wide array of topics, ranging from how to live a moral life, how to love our neighbors, and how to function in a free society.  If a leader transcends the limits of their position, such as what Martin Luther King, Jr. did, we find ourselves with leadership that helps us transform not just our own lives but those of our neighbors.  I personally have followed religious leaders and speakers outside of my own faith, outside of my own political party, and outside of my world, that have helped me to be a better citizen in this world.

3. Discuss Peter Singer's claim that we are somehow obligated to give all "surplus" or "unnecessary" income to charity. Note how Singer's utilitarian reasoning confirms Judeo-Christian teachings regarding feeding the hungry and otherwise actively aiding the disadvantaged (“Golden Rule”). Comment on the apparent inconsistencies between: what many of us profess to believe and our actual behavior when it comes to helping others.

                I am a hypocrite.  I believe firmly in helping others but have struggled with giving to charity myself.  I have done many great “good Samaritan” deeds but am constantly wracked with guilt at not doing more.  Even though I know logically that I am doing what I can, sometimes it’s a challenge to look at someone in the eyes when that person is standing at a busy intersection with a cardboard sign, asking for a little compassion and help.  When I have spare change, I try to give it, but I know it’s not coming easily from my hands to theirs, and I know there are a number of other ways in which I can help out my fellow man.  But I’m full of excuses.  In that way, I am a hypocrite.  I think most of America is composed of hypocrites: people who profess the need to help yet do nothing to help anyone but themselves.  I think it’s a sign of complacency in our culture, the vicious lie that people who seek spare change are somehow unworthy of humanity or basic compassion.  I know many people who preach that we should care for others and then do nothing to help.  We see videos all the time of well-to-do people walking by homeless children on the street, treating them as a blight on an otherwise perfect world.  We hear politicians preach about caring for military members and then voting to reduce their pay, cut their benefits, and gouge the Veterans Administration of much needed federal dollars to keep their doors open.  I still have hope for the world though.  I still have hope for myself.  I don’t quite know what it will take to become a person who practices what I preach, but I know that I am an imperfect person.  I know that others are imperfect people.  And my hope is that one day, we will all be able to unite for the betterment of society.


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Grade: 5/5
Professor Comments: Thank you for taking time to reflect on these questions from the end of the textbook.  Keep the questions in mind as you continue to "examine your life"  -- one of the primary goals of the study of philosophy.

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