lunes, 18 de junio de 2007

Chapter 10

I've always been quite reluctant towards politics, firstly because I do not know much about the subject and secondly because throughout my short life span voting and being able to choose people who helped organize our country, province or neighbourhood (in Savater's words) I've always felt disappointed.
Anyway, what Savater tries to put across is pretty true and the connection he shows between ethics and politics is real and acceptable. However, I think none of the points he metions politicians are supposed to carry on are so and in consequence, none of people's ethical considered actions are carried on either. Why? I believe it must be a circular story having consequences in others actions because what others did first and so on and so forth.
What I do agree with, is that ethics has to do with choosing well within one's freedom, taking other individuals into account whatever action we perform , being conscious of the fact that if what we do may be harmful for others should not be done. So, having this idea in mind who teaches us to be ethical??? Politicians with their own example??? Neighbours??? Teachers??? Parents??? I can speak just for myself and on behalf my own experience and I think, the first steps in ethical behaviour, to give it a kind of name, is what we receive at home and how the people who raise us , parents, grandparents, etc... give us examples of good living. As we grow, we can tell the differnce between ethical and non ethical actions according to our own background. It seems quite simple and there must be many exceptions, for as Savater says, we are all "unique", so there are millions of unique examples, theories, and ways of living to take into account. However,after all the reading , and according to my unique, personal conclussion, I think there is something which must be shared in common for every single person and that is living one's life, taking into account there are millions of people who share this planet with us, and no matter their race, religion or personal believes they all have the same right as us to live their good life too and "that" should be solemnely respected.

3 comentarios:

Gladys Baya dijo...

Hi once again, Silvia!

This time I'd like to ask you several questions:

* Which are "the points politicians should carry on" that you mention Savater lists? Sorry for not recalling that...

* Paolo Freire has said "the teacher is a politician". How do you feel about that? I invite you to to think about your answer and then visit the link above, just before replying to this comment!

* Are you aware that your conclusion (which I love and fully back up, BTW!) is just one of the options human beings have? Have you ever heard of Spencer's theory of Social Darwinism,for instance?

All the best,
Gladys

SIlvia K dijo...

I guess the teacher may resemble a politician in the sense Savater points out a politician task such as providing or facilitating options. Then it is up to the citizens or students in this case to choose.
On the other hand, I am aware that my conclussion is just one option, it is the one I believe in at the momrnt . It does not mean I come come to a different one at some other moment of my life.

Gladys Baya dijo...

Mind you, Silvia, Freire did not say the teacher "resembles" a politician, he said all teachers ARE politicians! :-P More about this during our second term, anyway!

So what did you think of Spencer's Social Darwinism? What would you tell someone who defended such a position?

Big hug,

Gladys