...Philosophy 202 Ethics Class July 25, 2013 Helping Others One day on the way home from work, I was driving on the freeway. I passed a car that had broken down and was sitting on the side of the road. There was a lady and her two little children that were stranded. It was hot outside and I stopped to see if I could help. I gave them a ride to their house, made sure that they would be ok and then I left. I never saw them again. I didn’t know this family; I didn’t stop because I thought that I may win an award or get famous because of it. I stopped because I have been in that position before and know how it feels to be stranded with your children. Why would someone help another person whom they don’t even know? There have been some controversial theories on the helping of others. One theory is from the egoists. A major believer in the egoism theory is the famous author, Ayn Rand. She believes that a person should only help another person if they hold value to them, or if in helping them they will receive something in return, which is all supposed to relate to one’s own happiness. Egoism claims that each person has but one ultimate goal: his or her own welfare. This theory also implies that not everyone can be an egoist. It relies on other people being altruistic. Most altruists believe that each person has an obligation to give pleasure and take away the pains of other people. Altruism involves the unselfish concern for others. It entails doing things only out of a desire...
Words: 988 - Pages: 4
...Ashley Paster Helping Others 3/26/15 Mother Teresa said it best, “Give, but give until it hurts.” Meaning we were blessed with the ability to give and we give until there is nothing left. Go out of your way to help the people around you and make a difference in their life. I decided to choose this topic because every now and then I see that sometimes we are either giving too much or not enough. In general, this topic is very important to me; one of my life goals is to give whatever I can to anyone in need. I always make myself available to friends, family, and/or even strangers. There is a satisfying feeling when you know you are making a difference in someone’s life. Helping others can change your whole outlook on life for ever. Helping the people you love is such an honor. There is no one better to help you out than someone you care about deeply (2011, April 3). I believe that we are supposed to do whatever we need to for our family. For example, my sister, shelby, was recently in a car accident and I did everything I could for her. The accident was not her fault, but she was the one left with a totaled car and two hand injuries. I had to help her get dressed, take showers, cutting up her food, etc. She was so devastated that she could not do anything herself, so I gladly gave her all of my time and more. As a family, we should always stick together and help each other until for some reason we cannot anymore. There is such abundance love when helping out the people...
Words: 1139 - Pages: 5
...“Not my problem. Who cares. Whatever.” The ignorant thoughts of many when confronted with the option of helping, the option of possibly being part of ending the misery of others. Indifference, the carelessness, the insensitivity, the alienation of human thoughts, actions, and words, are unwittingly a danger to all. What has our world come to? Where helping others is such a burden whereby assisting lower class citizens just is not worth your time and money. Rather than being indifferent to the suffering of the homeless, hungry, and poor, donate your spare time, money, and spare necessities to make a difference to someone or many. This century just started 18 years ago. 19 years ago, Columbine School Shooting. 19 years ago, having a mass shooting in any type of school was unheard of. 11 years ago,...
Words: 534 - Pages: 3
...Socially constructed ideas of childhood are not only time but place specific. This means that many of the normal assumptions that we hold about children in the west are culturally specific in the global north seen as time of dependence where as in the global south so many children make contribution to their households. children’s identities are made and remade through everyday spaces such as home, school ect. This concerned on the fears that some children are vulnerable to dangers in public such as the little angels and the other children known as the little devils can risk adult control of public space. On the other end of the age spectrum, the older people have an expansion of interest and even here researchers base their work on social rather than biological understanding of identity with social differences. The ways older people frame their leisure activities in ways maintain positive images of themselves through contrast with other...
Words: 1384 - Pages: 6
...mindful that such fantasy of physical or psychological sameness is implausible as everyone is different - even clones. One then questions the significance of such wanting of sameness, or if the sense of sameness serves any purpose. Using the concept of Self and Other that Joanne Finkelstein examines in “The Self as Sign,” I propose that the sense of sameness that is offered by the illusion of cloning allows one to establish a sense of identity. In a final analysis, I will elaborate on Finkelstein’s arguments on the Self and Other to shed light on the question posed by Philips on whether cloning was the death or apotheosis of individualism, and suggest that cloning has the paradoxical outcome of reinforcing individualism even as one seeks uniformity. Cloning is supposed to lead to conformity and uniformity, the absolute sameness. Phillips argues that cloning is appealing to society because it seems to represent a cure for “the terrors and delights of competition” (90-91). What is interesting, however, is the eventual admission by Phillips that this absolute sameness is impossible as “people, in actuality, can never be identical” (94) due to the difference in our individual histories and environment - among other factors which influences our individuality. This admission by Phillips prompts us to further ponder a question he poses in his essay: “Is cloning the death or the apotheosis of individualism” (88)? If we consider cloning as...
Words: 2058 - Pages: 9
...1.Giving is good for you: When we give to others it activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust. Altruistic behaviour releases endorphins in the brain and boosts happiness for us as well as the people we help. Studies have shown that giving money away tends to make people happier than spending it on themselves. Citation: "Happiness Facts." Action for Happiness. Accessed October4,2014. http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living/do-things-for-others. (If you see someone who is drowning and throw him a rope, he gets a benefit, no question about it. But you might, too. Your body might flood with feel-good chemicals that have a deep evolutionary heritage. You might get a little extra buffer from life’s stresses. Your heart might beat a little healthier. Your immune system might perk up. Your mood might lift. Be an influence: "No one has ever become poor by giving.” - Anne Frank In other words, when you are experiencing positive emotions like joy, contentment, and love, you will see more possibilities in your life. These findings were among the first that suggested positive emotions broaden your sense of possibility and open your mind up to more options. Citation: Clear, James. "The Science of Positive Thinking: How Positive Thoughts Build Your Skills, Boost Your Health, and Improve Your Work." The Huffington Post. July 10, 2013. Accessed October 4, 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/positive-thinking_b_3512202...
Words: 348 - Pages: 2
...An Ethics of Reading At the age of nine, Edith Wharton fell ill with typhoid. The local doctor told her parents nothing could be done and that their daughter would soon die. Only the ministrations of another physician, who happened to be passing through town and was prevailed upon to examine the girl, saved her life. Her fever fell, and the young Wharton began to recover. During her convalescence, she read voraciously. One of the books she was given contained a “super-natural” tale — a story which turned out to be, in Wharton’s own phrase, “perilous reading” (Wharton, p.275). In the original manuscript of her autobiography, Edith Wharton describes how reading this uncanny story occasioned a relapse, which brought her, once again, “on the point of death”: This one [book] brought on a serious relapse, and again my life was in danger and when I came to myself, it was to enter a world haunted by formless horrors. I had been a naturally fearless child; now I lived in a state of chronic fear. Fear of what? I cannot say — and even at the time, I was never able to formulate my terror. It was like some dark undefinable menace forever dogging my steps, lurking, threatening; (pp.275‑6).[1] According to Wharton, an act of reading plunged her body back into fatal illness. The young Edith Wharton did recover from the relapse, but its uncanny effects continued to haunt her well into adulthood. In “Women and Madness: the Critical Phallacy” (1975), Shoshana Felman tells another uncanny...
Words: 6956 - Pages: 28
...too interested. If the person looks away or doesn’t smile back, they might not be interested. However, it might also mean that they are too shy to reciprocate, so don’t give up quite yet. Find out what he or she likes if possible. This will help you think of good idea for a date. If this person loves music, find out what kind and invite them to a concert. In addition, be a person that she or he can rely on. It could be her, or it could be someone else in the room that you need to help. Is she carrying something heavy? Say “let me help you with that” and carry it for her. Is someone short on cash? Lend them a few dollars so they can eat lunch. Hold the door open for the next person coming through, even if they haven’t reached it yet. In other words, be a kind and generous person. Not only will it get her attention, but it will also make you feel good about yourself. Don’t be fake and do nice things only when she’s around, though. Help people all the time, in a wide variety of ways. She will notice, and so will the people she knows, and on the occasion that come up in a conversation, people will say “He’s such a great person!” and this girl will start thinking “Yeah….he is, isn’t he?”...
Words: 643 - Pages: 3
...In the story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Bret Harte, we see various character traits. Although these characters were created between the years of 1892 and 1899, we can see similarities between them and people in today’s society. A person’s traits are formed through time, impacted by the people in their life. The way one reacts in dire situations, how they treat others, or how they treat themselves can be traced back to their guardians, mentors, or significant others. The guardianship Mother Shipton and the Duchess have over Piney shows a loving, mother-like care a guardian should have. The mentorship John Oakhurst and Tom Simpson had shows healthy relationship, where Mr. Oakhurst’s only purpose was to help Tom. The significant relationships between characters vary; Tom and Piney, Mother Shipton and the Duchess’s previous ‘relationships’, and John Oakhurst and the Duchess. With each type of relationship, there are those healthy and unhealthy....
Words: 722 - Pages: 3
...seen amongst people. I believe when we were young about 7-8 years old, we used to be so original in that age. We stood up for what we wanted, what we did not like and those who would commit any sort of wrongdoing. However, as I have grown, I have realized people around me become double standard. Actions speak louder than words, what’s worse than silence are the ones speak the wise words but do not act like it. People are busier creating an image for themselves with words, but not actions. Along with time, voice has grown louder, but we can only find a few people doing wise with their actions. Those we see are acting rightly as they speak, usually they have a motive behind it. Large institutions are campaigning for a better environment, helping the poor by donating them. However, are they truly standing up for their actions? People will only see that the institutions have created a vast public image through their environment supporting campaign as was their intention when advertised. However, it is these large corporations today, mass production because of which environment day by day is deteriorating. Trees are being cut...
Words: 901 - Pages: 4
...concepts of counseling. Dr. Wright uses these situations. To teach the proper responses, to different crisis situations. When reading these situations, he wants us to “consider two important questions: How would you feel? What would you do or say?” (Wright, 2011, p.10). Wright describes how Jesus was an exemplary model of being compassionate, acceptant of others, giving people worth, meeting their needs, using the right word, emphasizing the right behavior, teaching others how to accept responsibility by providing hope, encouraging people, and emphasizing peace of mind (Wright, 2011, p. 17-21). Using scripture Wright guides us towards the biblical response to crisis situations. He teaches us that listening is an important part of counseling paying attention to not only what is being said, but also to how it is being said. Listening to the tone of voice as well as watching body language to interrupt the message you are receiving. He emphasizes speaking at the right time and knowing when to keep quiet. It is important to consider your responses, instead of making a hasty statement is not knowing how it will affect the other person. Thinking through your responses prevents you from giving “an off-the-cuff, superficial answer that doesn’t meet the counselee’s need and doesn’t deal with the problem” (Wright, 2011, p. 35). He states that it’s important to give advice sparingly, and to not directly tell another individual what to do because this is assuming responsibility for the...
Words: 2101 - Pages: 9
...In this report, I shall be discussing how to initiate, maintain, develop and conclude a helping relationship. I will expand by assessing how integrating a range of helping skills which can be beneficial for clients, showing how these benefits can be monitored and how effective endings can be reached. Furthermore, I will evaluate the effectiveness of the use of counselling skill in regards to client decision making process and finally describing potential boundary issues that may occur in a helping relationship. Counselling is a process that occurs when a client or counsellor set aside time in order to explore difficulties or change in a safe and confidential place. Counselling can help the client to see things more positively and clearly, this can enable the client to specifically focus on feelings, experiences or behaviour, with a goal to have an appropriate positive response. It is advised that counsellors arrive 15 minutes to prior to counselling session to ensure the room is prepared and this time could also be used for the counsellor to get in the right frame of mind. Allowing clients to see preparatory behaviour can negatively interfere with how competent they perceive their counsellors. Prepared meaning the room is at a comfortable temperature not to hot or too cold. The room should be clean, showing no sign of previous clients such as clean coffee table. The seating should be 45 degree angle, as this is the best way to observe body language without creating a confrontational...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
...had been so long and I had given up on any chance of getting rescued so I stopped repeating my real information to myself after a year of being in captivity. Every questioned they asked me I answered with the information that had been drilled into my brain by the guys. Nicole Miller. Nicole Miller. No. 18. I live on South Linden right down there. My time in captivity was a living nightmare. I was assaulted and raped thousands of time in those three years by a numerous amount of guys. I only ate around 1,500 meals in 3 years. That is on average 1 meal a day for two years and 2 meals a day for 1 year. I’m so thankful to be home with my friends and family. Since I was rescued four years ago I now live my life telling people my story and helping other victims overcome their struggle of what happened to them. It’s okay to be scared but don’t ever think that it is your fault that this happened to...
Words: 2025 - Pages: 9
...could it be that all the talented women in the division suffered from a lack of self-confidence? In all likelihood, they didn’t. Consider the many women who have left large corporations to start their own businesses, obviously exhibiting enough confidence to succeed on their own. Judgments about confidence can be inferred only from the way people present themselves, and much of that presentation is in the form of talk. The CEO of a major corporation told me that he often has to make decisions in five minutes about matters on which others may have worked five months. He said he uses this rule: If the person making the proposal seems confident, the CEO approves it. If not, he says no. This might seem like a reasonable approach. But my field of research, socio-linguistics, suggests otherwise. The CEO obviously thinks he knows what a confident person sounds like. But his judgment, which may be dead right for some people, may be dead wrong for others. Communication isn’t as simple as saying what you mean. How you say what you mean is crucial, and differs from one person to the next, because using language is learned social behavior: How we talk and listen are deeply influenced by cultural experience. Although we might think that our ways of...
Words: 7904 - Pages: 32
...usually try to “split the difference” in order to resolve an issue. 4. 3/4 I generally try to satisfy the other’s needs. 5. 4/4 I try to investigate an issue to find a solution acceptable to us. 6. 3/4 I usually avoid open discussion of my differences with the other. 7. 4/2 I use my authority to make a decision in my favor. 8. 3/4 I try to find a middle course to resolve an impasse. 9. 3/4 I usually accommodate the other’s wishes. 10. 3/3 I try to integrate my ideas with the other’s to come up with a decision jointly. 11. 3/4 I try to stay away from disagreement with the other. 12. 3/3 I use my expertise to make a decision that favors me. 13. 3/3 I propose a middle ground for breaking deadlocks. 14. 3/4 I give in to the other’s wishes. 15. 5/5 I try to work with the other to find solutions that satisfy both our expectations. 16. 2/4 I try to keep my disagreement to myself in order to avoid hard feelings. 17. 4/3 I generally pursue my side of an issue. 18. 4/3 I negotiate with the other to reach a compromise. 19. 3/3 I often go with the other’s suggestions. 20. 5/5 I exchange accurate information with the other so we can solve a problem together. 21. 3/5 I try to avoid unpleasant exchanges with the other. 22. 3/3 I sometimes use my power to win. 23. 5/5 I use “give and take” so that a compromise can be made. 24. 5/5 I try to satisfy the other’s expectations. 25. 5/3 I try to bring all our concerns out in the open so that the issues can be resolved. A | B...
Words: 1495 - Pages: 6