What makes us humans is, undoubtedly, living, sharing, listening to other humans. And our humanity is not perfect. Far from it!!! When we label people, we tend to forget that, still, they are people, no matter what they've done. I know that this is particularly difficult when we think of thieves, murderers, rapists and the like... they don't seem human since they don't treat their victims as humans...
Have we ever stopped to think that the reason why these people don't care about others is probably that nobody cares or has cared about them? I'm not just talking about their own families: most of the times, if a child is brought up in neglection, violence and hate, he/she is prone to bring up their own children in a similar way! I'm also thinking about the prejudices we have... There is a song by Bersuit Vergarabat called "La Ribera": if you're familiar with it, it tells us the story of people who live next to Riachuelo (a much polluted river in Argentina), what is like to live there and how they've been isolated from society. There are two verses that are quite touching (at least for me!)
Parece ser que envenenarlos no es violencia (referring to people governing our country, who
neglect them and let them die!)
y es violencia su desesperación (referring to most of the people who live there and who, as a
result of this neglection, have no choice but to steal so as to live!)
We are truly human when we can put ourselves in somebody else's shoes... more technically speaking, when we can emphatise, when we can see things (and understand them!!) from somebody else's perspective... when we can be objective in our judgements...
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Monday, 21 May 2007
Aparece Pepito Grillo
Choices, choices and more choices!! And, once more, the fact that if we want to live a good life we're in charge of making choices. No one can do this for us...
Being concientious and responsible seems to be key. This depends both on inborn characteristics as well as on the social context in which we're born. Do you remember when I said in my last post that if we're not treated as humans we won't consider others humans, just things?
Reflect. Always give ourselves time to reflect upon what we do and take responsiblity for the decisions we make. We need to try to get what is best for us. A good life! This doesn't mean that in order to get what we want we should do whatever it takes "The end doesn't justify the means," says Kant. Selfishness can have a positive connotation as well: devoting time to ourselves and striving for what we want, always being responsible for what we decide to do, always being free...
And freedom, at times, implies feeling guilty when we do something that does not match what we really want to obtain...What to do , then?? Take responsibility for what we do incorrectly and correctly, however disgusting it is what we have done!! Face the consequences... that's when we are truly free. What a great responsibility we have as teachers...searching for a good life and inviting others to do the same... defining ourselves with every decision we make... setting the example?
Being concientious and responsible seems to be key. This depends both on inborn characteristics as well as on the social context in which we're born. Do you remember when I said in my last post that if we're not treated as humans we won't consider others humans, just things?
Reflect. Always give ourselves time to reflect upon what we do and take responsiblity for the decisions we make. We need to try to get what is best for us. A good life! This doesn't mean that in order to get what we want we should do whatever it takes "The end doesn't justify the means," says Kant. Selfishness can have a positive connotation as well: devoting time to ourselves and striving for what we want, always being responsible for what we decide to do, always being free...
And freedom, at times, implies feeling guilty when we do something that does not match what we really want to obtain...What to do , then?? Take responsibility for what we do incorrectly and correctly, however disgusting it is what we have done!! Face the consequences... that's when we are truly free. What a great responsibility we have as teachers...searching for a good life and inviting others to do the same... defining ourselves with every decision we make... setting the example?
Monday, 14 May 2007
Despierta Baby!
What's a good life? Does it have anything to do with getting our own way at all times? Is it in keeping with owning more and more things?Is it possible to agree on only one idea of what "a good life" entails? Or is this concept going to change from individual to individual? Complex questions for a complex concept...
Material possessions have a saying in this. We own things and yet, at the same time, they own us... if not look around you, and you'll see what materialism does to people. Wars, corruption, opportunism... and a never-ending list of negative concepts. Money is necessary, but greed is no good.You can buy lots of things with money: the house of your dreams, a great car and so and so on. What you cannot buy is love, real love. Friendship. Sympathy. A shoulder to cry on when you're feeling blue. A warm hug. Respect. Treat people like things, and you'll get things in return. What a difference it makes when you treat people for what they are: human beings!
A good life is not about money, I guess... Most probably has nothing to do with what the majority of people believe... A good life is a personal choice. Once more it has to do with reflecting. With understanding what is convenient for us and what is not. It's important to listen to each other: in my last post I stated that it is when we listen to one another that we recognize ourselves and the others as humans. Nevertheless, when it's time to make up our minds, nobody can (or should!) decide for us. We are free. We decide.
Material possessions have a saying in this. We own things and yet, at the same time, they own us... if not look around you, and you'll see what materialism does to people. Wars, corruption, opportunism... and a never-ending list of negative concepts. Money is necessary, but greed is no good.You can buy lots of things with money: the house of your dreams, a great car and so and so on. What you cannot buy is love, real love. Friendship. Sympathy. A shoulder to cry on when you're feeling blue. A warm hug. Respect. Treat people like things, and you'll get things in return. What a difference it makes when you treat people for what they are: human beings!
A good life is not about money, I guess... Most probably has nothing to do with what the majority of people believe... A good life is a personal choice. Once more it has to do with reflecting. With understanding what is convenient for us and what is not. It's important to listen to each other: in my last post I stated that it is when we listen to one another that we recognize ourselves and the others as humans. Nevertheless, when it's time to make up our minds, nobody can (or should!) decide for us. We are free. We decide.
Monday, 7 May 2007
Date la Buena Vida
What a title for this chapter... and I was so naive as to believe that this chapter was going to be enlightening! At least, I think that I've found one more answer to my questions!!!
Reflecting seems to be the word. It's not only thinking what we're supposed to do, but also reflecting on the choices we make. It's a question of trying to find out how to live a better life...
This, at the same time, should be reciprocal: we're all human beings and what makes us human is recognising each other, listening to each other, being there for each other...
More food for thought...
Celebrar la vida...
Pensar libremente.
Practicar la paciencia.
Sonreir con frecuencia.
Hacer nuevos amigos.Redescubrir los de antes.
Perdonar a un enemigo.Tener esperanzas. Crecer.
Ser LOCO!! Contar cada día nuestras bendiciones.
Dar. Crecer. Tener esa confianza que permite recibir.
Cumplir una promesa. Ser prudente. Tratar de comprender.
Reservar tiempo para la gente. Reservar tiempo para uno mismo. Esparcir la alegría.
Aceptar un riesgo. Ofrecerse. Abrirse a alguien. Probar algo nuevo. Aminorar la marcha.
Ser blando, a veces. Creer en uno mismo. Confiar en otros.
Mirar un amanecer. Escuchar la lluvia
Rememorar. Llorar cuando sea necesario.
Tener fe.
Cometer errores.
Celebrar la vida...
Jan Michelsen
LOL,
Andre
Reflecting seems to be the word. It's not only thinking what we're supposed to do, but also reflecting on the choices we make. It's a question of trying to find out how to live a better life...
This, at the same time, should be reciprocal: we're all human beings and what makes us human is recognising each other, listening to each other, being there for each other...
More food for thought...
Celebrar la vida...
Pensar libremente.
Practicar la paciencia.
Sonreir con frecuencia.
Hacer nuevos amigos.Redescubrir los de antes.
Perdonar a un enemigo.Tener esperanzas. Crecer.
Ser LOCO!! Contar cada día nuestras bendiciones.
Dar. Crecer. Tener esa confianza que permite recibir.
Cumplir una promesa. Ser prudente. Tratar de comprender.
Reservar tiempo para la gente. Reservar tiempo para uno mismo. Esparcir la alegría.
Aceptar un riesgo. Ofrecerse. Abrirse a alguien. Probar algo nuevo. Aminorar la marcha.
Ser blando, a veces. Creer en uno mismo. Confiar en otros.
Mirar un amanecer. Escuchar la lluvia
Rememorar. Llorar cuando sea necesario.
Tener fe.
Cometer errores.
Celebrar la vida...
Jan Michelsen
LOL,
Andre
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Haz lo que quieras
In my last post I wondered whether it was right or wrong to follow orders and costums or act on whims without taking into account the consequences of our actions. After reading chapter 3, I've come up with a "temporary" answer (those who are reading this book know what I mean ;) !)
Think. That's the first of the answers I found to my question. Not once, but twice, three times, as many times as necessary. And, once more, bear in mind that your decisions carry consequences. We are free when we examine what we do: nobody else can do this for us.
Do whatever you want... I still haven't made up my mind as to what to say about this... I figure I'll just have to wait for chapter 4!
Think. That's the first of the answers I found to my question. Not once, but twice, three times, as many times as necessary. And, once more, bear in mind that your decisions carry consequences. We are free when we examine what we do: nobody else can do this for us.
Do whatever you want... I still haven't made up my mind as to what to say about this... I figure I'll just have to wait for chapter 4!
Monday, 9 April 2007
Órdenes, costumbres y caprichos
In my last post I asked myself whether Ethics had practical implications for our daily lives. After the unfortunate events which took place in our province of Neuquén, I firmly believe Ethics is intrinsically related to how we live day by day.
Is obeying orders ethical, no matter what we are being asked to do? To what extent can we abide by the law? How can we measure the importance of priorities in life? I wonder if the person who shot Carlos Fuentealba at least asked these questions to himself when he decided to follow orders. When he aimed at him. When he pulled the trigger. When he killed him. When he left a woman and children without a husband and dad respectively. When he caused the whole of the school community to lose a committed teacher...
We are individuals and, at the same time, part of a community. There are laws that are to be respected. We cannot be subjected to whims. Nevertheless, we cannot obey every order we are given without thinking about the consequences they carry. Everything we do has a purpose and a consequence. We should bear this in mind every day...
To Carlos Fuentealba and his family, all my respect and love. To those who killed him on a whim, giving nonsense orders, following a tradition of disrespect for life... I have nothing to say but to express my public and strong disapproval.
Is obeying orders ethical, no matter what we are being asked to do? To what extent can we abide by the law? How can we measure the importance of priorities in life? I wonder if the person who shot Carlos Fuentealba at least asked these questions to himself when he decided to follow orders. When he aimed at him. When he pulled the trigger. When he killed him. When he left a woman and children without a husband and dad respectively. When he caused the whole of the school community to lose a committed teacher...
We are individuals and, at the same time, part of a community. There are laws that are to be respected. We cannot be subjected to whims. Nevertheless, we cannot obey every order we are given without thinking about the consequences they carry. Everything we do has a purpose and a consequence. We should bear this in mind every day...
To Carlos Fuentealba and his family, all my respect and love. To those who killed him on a whim, giving nonsense orders, following a tradition of disrespect for life... I have nothing to say but to express my public and strong disapproval.
Monday, 2 April 2007
De qué va la ética...
What is it that we understand by Ethics? Is it just a subject? Does it have practical implications? What does ethical behaviour comprise? And so and so on... The more I read chapter 1, the more questions I ask myself!
First of all, the concept of Ethics is going to vary from individual to individual. I can think that at times lying is ethical whereas someone else may regard lying as a terrible thing!! Then, all of us have an ethical system of our own: we may share some ideas but we may not share some others. This ethical system is culturally-bound: from birth we're taught that some things are good or bad. From this point onwards, we choose...
Secondly, it is because we're free that we're capable of choosing. And in every choice we make, we're also taking ethical decisions. We decide what is convenient for us or not, whether we care about others or just us... we decide how we want to live our lives. The way we live, honouring or not our lives, is what we call Ethics!
First of all, the concept of Ethics is going to vary from individual to individual. I can think that at times lying is ethical whereas someone else may regard lying as a terrible thing!! Then, all of us have an ethical system of our own: we may share some ideas but we may not share some others. This ethical system is culturally-bound: from birth we're taught that some things are good or bad. From this point onwards, we choose...
Secondly, it is because we're free that we're capable of choosing. And in every choice we make, we're also taking ethical decisions. We decide what is convenient for us or not, whether we care about others or just us... we decide how we want to live our lives. The way we live, honouring or not our lives, is what we call Ethics!
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