Rationality- I agree most people are capable of making the right decisions based on sound judgments. There are big differences in people’s analytical abilities, so what may be right for some may not be the case for others. Our democracy, justice system and free enterprise are all based on our assumption that people are rational. Take the “financial crises” we are experiencing it is based on people taking irrational decisions for their own good will!!
Perfectibility- I disagree people are born in sin. In my opinion, every individual is born with a clean slate; they are then molded by society and choose various paths in life. Hard work and individual achievement make up parts of the American culture and it is up to each individual to take up that opportunity and freedom provided in this country to become successful or follow a path of sin. Some religions are based on this premise.
Mutability- I agree human behavior is shaped by environmental factors. If we live in an environment of poverty and crime, we become beggars/ thieves because our environment influences us. On the other hand if we were live in a middle class society, our environment would influence us to go to school like everyone else. What children are capable of here in America and what they do in Africa are all determined by their environment. This is not to say a child in America cannot be a criminal or a child in Africa cannot become a leading scientist someday. It all depends on how far each individual allows the environment he lives in to influence him.
Hey there sunshine! I hope week 4 is treating you well. I really like your blog design. Good job on the discussion question this week. I agree with what you said in your blog. I do believe that people are capable of making good decisions but whether they choose to make the right decision is another story. I also agree that people aren't born in sin and that everyone has a clean slate when they are born. People are shaped by their surroundings and they choose the path that they go down. Having said that, I also agree that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors. Like you said in your post if you are surrounded by poverty and crime then you will become a beggar or a thief because that is all you know and all you see. You don't see all of the good stuff that is going on outside of your environment.
ReplyDeleteCommgirl105,
ReplyDeleteI am doing well and hope the same with you. I am glad you like my blog design, hope it brought some warmth! We seem to agree on the same premises and you are right we need to see more of the good stuff outside our environment. Enjoy your 4th of July!!!
I have to agree that we did nothing but run the country into the ground for the last eight years. Sometimes people are put in power who take advantage of it. We put our trust in them to do the right thing and they do nothing but betray that trust. I am not big on politics, but it's these times that make me wonder if people really can be trusted to do what is right and not just what is in their best interest.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that thieves usually come from bad neighborhoods but I think this has more to do with external factor as oppose to the person doing what is influencing them. In lower-class neighborhoods you have things like drugs, gangs, and a higher unemployment rate than middle-class neighborhoods. It's hard to tell someone not to steal when that person is starving.
noname707,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Glad to hear you agree not everyone can be trusted to do what is right! I agree external factors can influence a person too.
Sunshine,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree the perfectibility premise cannot be believed in for all humans. Not all people believe in sin. With the discussion on mutability I feel as if it is a dream killer. If one is born in poverty or born in a violent household, that there is no hope for them. Environmental factors effect and have a role in molding an individual but not the determinate the outcome of how happy a person can be. What are your thoughts? The rationality premise is confusing to me, if all humans were so rational, why do people make so many mistakes. There are so many political scandals with sex such as Bill Clinton, drugs with stars such as Lindsey Lohan, and violent killings if rationailty is a good premise. I believe we can be rational, but something else always stops us.
Great post! Fun to read!Thank you!
-chubbyhub