Act of Kindness #4
To a acquaintance
Hosting
Yoshiko Swift is a Japanese DMACC Instructor in the Ankeny Campus. I don’t know her very well and I never took her class at DMACC. I met her once in the Asian Festival and said she was in charge of foreign exchanged program with Sister City of Des Moines, Yamanashi, Japan. Her role was to schedule flights plans, find a room at DMACC and teachers to teach English to Japanese students, and to find host families to take care of the Japanese exchanged students for a whole week through October 13th to the 17th. And she asked me, if I wanted to host Japanese students. I agreed.
Yoshiko then called me 3 months ago. She explained her situation to me and need host families badly. I thought about it for a minute and accept her offer. At the time, I was about to go to my first day at Drake. I was going to host two Japanese students. When the time arrived, I noticed that I was falling behind in my classes. And I could’ve easily told Yoshiko that I didn’t want to host two students. I needed to catch up in my classes. However, I never did tell Yoshiko about my little crisis in Drake and welcomed the two Japanese boys to my family. Of course, my family didn’t have the time to take care of them, so I was responsible to take them places and give them a wonderful time in Iowa.
It has really time consuming. Every day within the week, I had to drive the two Japanese boys to the Ankeny DMACC Campus at 8:00 am and picked them up around 3:00 pm. I take them shopping, bowling, canoeing and etc. I even decided to bring along two addition students, mainly because the host family didn’t know what to do with them and they were afraid that their boys were not having a great time. Plus, I thought it would be interesting for my boys to talk with their friends during their visit in Iowa. Each passing hour could’ve been time to catch up in my classes. Nevertheless, I did it anyways to help Yoshiko and her program. And in the end, she and the two instructors, who came with the students, thanked me and said that they never met a young and kind person, who would take the time out of their busy schedule to help out and showing two or four Japanese students a great time in Iowa. I was the only young person to do such a thing. The experience and their gratitude gave me a great sense of accomplishment, even though I cost me a lot of time out of my classes in Drake.
I guess I tend to do nice things that would bring happiness to other people, but at the same time, make me suffer just a little.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Duty to one self and others
Kant's Theory of our existence
The notion of human beings only to exist for oneself and for others is what interests me the most. Kant said that is a human beings duty is to be a human being and to be object of experiences. Therefore, under my understanding, he is saying that, we, human beings can only exist for ourselves. At the same time, we, as human being, only exist to for other people experiences. Thus, this creates a purpose for everyone in the world; to live for other peoples’ experiences and/or pressure.
So my question to Kant is, “Is this the meaning of our existence?” “If so, did you have a very difficult time spreading the message in religion and science at the time?”
“Were you surprise about your theory?”
His theory makes sense in a way. The only way that a person would exist for me is to be a friend, a teacher, a person to see everyday, a person who has done me wrong or right, a person to talk to, or people just to fill the scenery with. Therefore, it is obviously to see that, from the very core of the concept, which everyone who I see and know is only there to fill my life with experience. What else would my friends and family exists, but to fill my life with sad, happy, and interesting experiences. This theory scared me at first, but now I understand it or I think I understand it.
The notion of human beings only to exist for oneself and for others is what interests me the most. Kant said that is a human beings duty is to be a human being and to be object of experiences. Therefore, under my understanding, he is saying that, we, human beings can only exist for ourselves. At the same time, we, as human being, only exist to for other people experiences. Thus, this creates a purpose for everyone in the world; to live for other peoples’ experiences and/or pressure.
So my question to Kant is, “Is this the meaning of our existence?” “If so, did you have a very difficult time spreading the message in religion and science at the time?”
“Were you surprise about your theory?”
His theory makes sense in a way. The only way that a person would exist for me is to be a friend, a teacher, a person to see everyday, a person who has done me wrong or right, a person to talk to, or people just to fill the scenery with. Therefore, it is obviously to see that, from the very core of the concept, which everyone who I see and know is only there to fill my life with experience. What else would my friends and family exists, but to fill my life with sad, happy, and interesting experiences. This theory scared me at first, but now I understand it or I think I understand it.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Contradiction
Contradicting One Self
Contradicting ourselves, nowadays, doesn’t seem to be much of an issue. Mostly because we use reason to separate two issue that are similar. For example, to say that you’re for immigration, for people around the world to an equal opportunity in America; at the same time, you’re for making English as the official language in America is contradicting oneself. Immigrates come to America with a different language, aside from a lot or little English. However, the mere fact that English as the official language in America only suppresses people who don’t understand English, mostly immigrates. But nevertheless, you’re saying one thing, at the same time saying something completely different.
I really can’t decide if this is moral or immoral to contradicting yourself. In a way, you’re only hurt yourself, not others. Unless, you’re in a position to influence other; therefore spreading your own contradiction ideas to other. But other than that, a single individual, who contradicted oneself, is only lose their ability to understand the concepts and reasons between issues. This only involves one person; therefore that one person has created its own way thinking with reason. It is our moral duty, who sees someone contradicting oneself, to convince (persuade) them, who are contradicting themselves, to understand what they are doing. Can we really convince someone to change their way of thinking?
Contradicting ourselves, nowadays, doesn’t seem to be much of an issue. Mostly because we use reason to separate two issue that are similar. For example, to say that you’re for immigration, for people around the world to an equal opportunity in America; at the same time, you’re for making English as the official language in America is contradicting oneself. Immigrates come to America with a different language, aside from a lot or little English. However, the mere fact that English as the official language in America only suppresses people who don’t understand English, mostly immigrates. But nevertheless, you’re saying one thing, at the same time saying something completely different.
I really can’t decide if this is moral or immoral to contradicting yourself. In a way, you’re only hurt yourself, not others. Unless, you’re in a position to influence other; therefore spreading your own contradiction ideas to other. But other than that, a single individual, who contradicted oneself, is only lose their ability to understand the concepts and reasons between issues. This only involves one person; therefore that one person has created its own way thinking with reason. It is our moral duty, who sees someone contradicting oneself, to convince (persuade) them, who are contradicting themselves, to understand what they are doing. Can we really convince someone to change their way of thinking?
Friday, October 3, 2008
of Benevolence and Justice
Hume's second book
Benevolence and Justice
The first four chapters of Hume’s Enquiry of Concerning the Principles of Moral reviews over his last book theories about how it is human nature to seek happiness and value virtues, characteristics that make us feel good, and ignore the vices, characteristics that make us feel bad and the notion of reason. In this book, he stated that he want to explore and analysis more about our human characteristics of virtues and vices. He starts off with writing about benevolence and how natural it is to help people to help us become more eminent. Thus, I can understand why people do nice deeds for others for the only reason to benefit themselves, for friends and family, or for our society.
However, it his three chapter, he explains how society needs justice, to create order, fairness, and peace among individuals. Yet, we wouldn’t need justice, if everyone was benevolent. The notion of being selfishness slowly arises within us as we create a passion for luxury which is driven by our quest for happiness. Thus, the virtues that we value are slowly replaced with selfishness to own things for our own happiness. And eventually, the saying goes that the person, who owns the more things, wins. And chapter four, quickly belief how this notion of selfishness affect our political society, that creates law to govern the people, base upon our values. However the problem with that is that laws don’t completely control us as individuals. It is our virtues and vices that control our actions. The individuals have a choice to obey or disobey laws for the main purpose to seek happiness within ourselves.
Benevolence and Justice
The first four chapters of Hume’s Enquiry of Concerning the Principles of Moral reviews over his last book theories about how it is human nature to seek happiness and value virtues, characteristics that make us feel good, and ignore the vices, characteristics that make us feel bad and the notion of reason. In this book, he stated that he want to explore and analysis more about our human characteristics of virtues and vices. He starts off with writing about benevolence and how natural it is to help people to help us become more eminent. Thus, I can understand why people do nice deeds for others for the only reason to benefit themselves, for friends and family, or for our society.
However, it his three chapter, he explains how society needs justice, to create order, fairness, and peace among individuals. Yet, we wouldn’t need justice, if everyone was benevolent. The notion of being selfishness slowly arises within us as we create a passion for luxury which is driven by our quest for happiness. Thus, the virtues that we value are slowly replaced with selfishness to own things for our own happiness. And eventually, the saying goes that the person, who owns the more things, wins. And chapter four, quickly belief how this notion of selfishness affect our political society, that creates law to govern the people, base upon our values. However the problem with that is that laws don’t completely control us as individuals. It is our virtues and vices that control our actions. The individuals have a choice to obey or disobey laws for the main purpose to seek happiness within ourselves.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Act of Kindness #2
Act of Kindness #2
A person I see, but don’t know
5 months ago, a new family moved into my neighborhood and as usual it takes time get to know them. It wasn’t long before everyone got know them and welcome them to our neighborhood. My family has already had the honor of introducing themselves to them; however I never had a chance or the courage to properly introduce myself to them. But, they know who I am and I know who they are; and even to this day that’s how we know each. My sisters are already friends with new neighbor’s daughter named Marilan. My sisters and Marilan go to the same high school and almost everyday they ride or walk together to school.
However, my family planned a two week trip to Mexico and my mother, two sisters, and two brothers all went, expect for my father and me. ToT (I had go to my classes). They leave on Thursday and in the next morning; I woke up, got ready to go to class and walked out of the door; only to see Marilan walking to school alone. She took a quick glance at me, and then continued to walk to school while using her phone. At the moment, I felt sad and terrible that she had to walk to school alone, despite the fact that she has a lot of friends at school. So, I turned on my car and offer her a ride to school.
I did this for two weeks. Even though, my classes started at 9:00 am, I woke up at 6:00 am to get ready and to offer Marilan a ride to school at 7:00 am. We barely talked to each other during the car rides. However, during those two weeks, I felt like it was my responsible to offer Marilan a ride, even though Marilan never asked for a ride to school. Even now, when my family returned from their trip, Marilan and I don’t talk or see each other very often. I hardly know anything about her, and she hardly knows anything about me. However, at less she knows that I was nice enough to offer her a ride to school for two weeks. And I can’t help but wonder if she thinks I have a crush on her after offering her a ride to school.
A person I see, but don’t know
5 months ago, a new family moved into my neighborhood and as usual it takes time get to know them. It wasn’t long before everyone got know them and welcome them to our neighborhood. My family has already had the honor of introducing themselves to them; however I never had a chance or the courage to properly introduce myself to them. But, they know who I am and I know who they are; and even to this day that’s how we know each. My sisters are already friends with new neighbor’s daughter named Marilan. My sisters and Marilan go to the same high school and almost everyday they ride or walk together to school.
However, my family planned a two week trip to Mexico and my mother, two sisters, and two brothers all went, expect for my father and me. ToT (I had go to my classes). They leave on Thursday and in the next morning; I woke up, got ready to go to class and walked out of the door; only to see Marilan walking to school alone. She took a quick glance at me, and then continued to walk to school while using her phone. At the moment, I felt sad and terrible that she had to walk to school alone, despite the fact that she has a lot of friends at school. So, I turned on my car and offer her a ride to school.
I did this for two weeks. Even though, my classes started at 9:00 am, I woke up at 6:00 am to get ready and to offer Marilan a ride to school at 7:00 am. We barely talked to each other during the car rides. However, during those two weeks, I felt like it was my responsible to offer Marilan a ride, even though Marilan never asked for a ride to school. Even now, when my family returned from their trip, Marilan and I don’t talk or see each other very often. I hardly know anything about her, and she hardly knows anything about me. However, at less she knows that I was nice enough to offer her a ride to school for two weeks. And I can’t help but wonder if she thinks I have a crush on her after offering her a ride to school.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Hume's method
Hume's method
Hume could’ve use the simple method of Observation to come up with his theories. It is reasonable to believe that Hume could’ve just simply observed people in the daily lives. However, at the same time, Hume had to be careful not to interfere with people’s natural reactions to dozens of different situations. Hume also had to be neutral of every issue that people deal with in their daily lives, such as stereotyping, politics, grief, happiness, and any other emotions and thinking that people usually have. In other words, he had to detract himself from society to observe people without bias. And Hume must’ve taken days to observe people, looking for specific details and reactions. It’s obviously, that if Hume had asked questions and had conversations with people, that he would’ve received bias answers and false statements about people actions and emotions in different situations. This method of observing is great way to learn people in different situations and this is what Hume might have used to come up with his three psychological tendencies.
Hume could’ve use the simple method of Observation to come up with his theories. It is reasonable to believe that Hume could’ve just simply observed people in the daily lives. However, at the same time, Hume had to be careful not to interfere with people’s natural reactions to dozens of different situations. Hume also had to be neutral of every issue that people deal with in their daily lives, such as stereotyping, politics, grief, happiness, and any other emotions and thinking that people usually have. In other words, he had to detract himself from society to observe people without bias. And Hume must’ve taken days to observe people, looking for specific details and reactions. It’s obviously, that if Hume had asked questions and had conversations with people, that he would’ve received bias answers and false statements about people actions and emotions in different situations. This method of observing is great way to learn people in different situations and this is what Hume might have used to come up with his three psychological tendencies.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Practical Wisdom
Phronesis
The difference between practical wisdom and intellectual virtues is that it takes time to gain practical wisdom or phronesis. Phronesis is often used to deliberate or choose the most accurate solution in any situation. In a way, this is a sign of maturity within individuals, while intellectual virtues are characteristics that individuals’ expertise, who are interested in themselves.
From my experience, there is a perfect person that I think that display practical wisdom. That is my Japanese Language teacher, Mrs. Sachiko Murphy. For three years, she had to make dozens of difficult decisions dealing with high school students, foreign exchanges students, and city officials. Not only is she a teacher, but also the official Japanese translator in Des Moines to form relations with sister city in Japan. Not to mention, that is plans and makes decisions for exchange student to visit Des Moines. And with all of that, she is also a great role model. She is nice, but at the same strict in her agenda. Especially, it comes to planning her two week to Japan for her students. However, the decisions to control and keep her students safe and already planned several of other trip successful are enough to display practical wisdom.
And when it comes to Hursthouse’s discussion about abortion, it is clear to see how phronesis is used. Since practical wisdom is the concept of making the most accurate choice, the topic here is to critically think about an abortion. Abortion is a serious action that can determine the existence of a new life. Such decision is not merely decided a quick and selfish decision. It takes time and a lot of consideration to have an abortion. There is no right choice, but it is the thought and time taken to come to an understanding.
The difference between practical wisdom and intellectual virtues is that it takes time to gain practical wisdom or phronesis. Phronesis is often used to deliberate or choose the most accurate solution in any situation. In a way, this is a sign of maturity within individuals, while intellectual virtues are characteristics that individuals’ expertise, who are interested in themselves.
From my experience, there is a perfect person that I think that display practical wisdom. That is my Japanese Language teacher, Mrs. Sachiko Murphy. For three years, she had to make dozens of difficult decisions dealing with high school students, foreign exchanges students, and city officials. Not only is she a teacher, but also the official Japanese translator in Des Moines to form relations with sister city in Japan. Not to mention, that is plans and makes decisions for exchange student to visit Des Moines. And with all of that, she is also a great role model. She is nice, but at the same strict in her agenda. Especially, it comes to planning her two week to Japan for her students. However, the decisions to control and keep her students safe and already planned several of other trip successful are enough to display practical wisdom.
And when it comes to Hursthouse’s discussion about abortion, it is clear to see how phronesis is used. Since practical wisdom is the concept of making the most accurate choice, the topic here is to critically think about an abortion. Abortion is a serious action that can determine the existence of a new life. Such decision is not merely decided a quick and selfish decision. It takes time and a lot of consideration to have an abortion. There is no right choice, but it is the thought and time taken to come to an understanding.
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