46. Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education.
Agree:
- Encourages students to be excellent test-takers and not actually learn the information
- Those that would seek a deeper understanding of a topic/subject are demotivated
Ex: Medical schools with accelerated programs
Disagree:
- Motivates students to do well
- Grades allow teachers to decipher areas that students are weaker in and adjust the course plans accordingly.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
44. The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
44. The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
Agree:
- Increased competition
- Results in medical, family, and social issues
Disagree:
- Technological advancements have increased the pace of life but has also made it easier.
Ex: invention of the wheel, telephone, Internet
Agree:
- Increased competition
- Results in medical, family, and social issues
Disagree:
- Technological advancements have increased the pace of life but has also made it easier.
Ex: invention of the wheel, telephone, Internet
43. Students should always question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively.
43. Students should always question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively.
Agree:
- Questioning allows innovation.
Ex: Copernicus, Galileo
Ex: Michelangelo, Da Vinci
- Students will be more engaged when they are questioning.
- Teachers and textbooks are not infallible.
- Questioning provides the opportunity to modify current theories.
Disagree:
- Questioning is not approved.
Ex: Italian philosopher Bruno was burned at the stake because his cosmic theory of an infinite universe offended religion.
Ex: During the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang burned books and buried scholars alive to prevent people from questioning the government.
- Excessive questioning would be counterproductive (i.e., meaningless questions).
- Students need a foundation of knowledge.
Agree:
- Questioning allows innovation.
Ex: Copernicus, Galileo
Ex: Michelangelo, Da Vinci
- Students will be more engaged when they are questioning.
- Teachers and textbooks are not infallible.
- Questioning provides the opportunity to modify current theories.
Disagree:
- Questioning is not approved.
Ex: Italian philosopher Bruno was burned at the stake because his cosmic theory of an infinite universe offended religion.
Ex: During the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang burned books and buried scholars alive to prevent people from questioning the government.
- Excessive questioning would be counterproductive (i.e., meaningless questions).
- Students need a foundation of knowledge.
Monday, January 9, 2012
42. (45.) The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them, not by their contemporaries.
42. The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them, not by their contemporaries.
(45. Claim: It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
Reason: The reputation of anyone who is subjected to media scrutiny will eventually be diminished)
Define: greatness
- Accomplishments that benefited society?
- Depends on the cultural environment (socioeconomic times, religious beliefs, etc.)
Agree:
Ex: Galileo was condemned for his support of heliocentrism, the theory that the Earth and other planets circled around the stationary Sun. This model was contrary to the popular belief in geocentrism, the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe.
- Scientists lay down the fundamentals of science and it is only years later that technologies are built upon these foundations that the full potential of these discoveries are realized.
(Ex: President Clinton's scandalous affair with Monica Lewinsky obliterated what good he did in the office, including a fantastic view of the national interest and a broad, inspiring vision of a nation of diversity.)
Disagree:
- Contemporaries sees the climb to the top of some great people.
Ex: Steve Jobs is widely acclaimed as the pioneer of the personal computer revolution.
(Steve Jobs, though a hugely successful businessman and inventor, was also known for being rude and mean. However, this did not diminish his success or popularity.)
- Greatness through influence
Ex: Voltaire's satirical writings were an inspiration during the French Revolution.
(45. Claim: It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
Reason: The reputation of anyone who is subjected to media scrutiny will eventually be diminished)
Define: greatness
- Accomplishments that benefited society?
- Depends on the cultural environment (socioeconomic times, religious beliefs, etc.)
Agree:
Ex: Galileo was condemned for his support of heliocentrism, the theory that the Earth and other planets circled around the stationary Sun. This model was contrary to the popular belief in geocentrism, the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe.
- Scientists lay down the fundamentals of science and it is only years later that technologies are built upon these foundations that the full potential of these discoveries are realized.
(Ex: President Clinton's scandalous affair with Monica Lewinsky obliterated what good he did in the office, including a fantastic view of the national interest and a broad, inspiring vision of a nation of diversity.)
Disagree:
- Contemporaries sees the climb to the top of some great people.
Ex: Steve Jobs is widely acclaimed as the pioneer of the personal computer revolution.
(Steve Jobs, though a hugely successful businessman and inventor, was also known for being rude and mean. However, this did not diminish his success or popularity.)
- Greatness through influence
Ex: Voltaire's satirical writings were an inspiration during the French Revolution.
41. (48.) Claim: When planning courses, educators should take into account the interests and suggestions of their students.
41. Claim: When planning courses, educators should take into account the interests and suggestions of their students.
Reason: Students are more motivated to learn when they are interested in what they are studying.
Assumption: Students' interest can be integrated into courses and benefit the course.
(48. Educators should find out what students want included in the curriculum and then offer it to them.)
Agree:
- Students are more engaged in learning when they are interested.
- Teachers are more motivated to teach when students are engaged.
- Students can provide teachers feedback on their teaching style (i.e., open forum vs. lecture)
Disagree:
- Teachers have a better understanding of what material should be in courses.
- Students would willingly skip over "boring" material that would be critical for their knowledge.
Reason: Students are more motivated to learn when they are interested in what they are studying.
Assumption: Students' interest can be integrated into courses and benefit the course.
(48. Educators should find out what students want included in the curriculum and then offer it to them.)
Agree:
- Students are more engaged in learning when they are interested.
- Teachers are more motivated to teach when students are engaged.
- Students can provide teachers feedback on their teaching style (i.e., open forum vs. lecture)
Disagree:
- Teachers have a better understanding of what material should be in courses.
- Students would willingly skip over "boring" material that would be critical for their knowledge.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
39. It is primarily through identification with social groups that we define ourselves.
39. It is primarily through identification with social groups that we define ourselves.
Define: social groups
- Who we hang out with
Agree:
- Social groups provide a sense of belonging.
Ex: The "black is beautiful" movement and the embrace of African hairdos, culture and traditions.
- Social groups provide people feedback on who they are.
- Some join social groups that hold similar beliefs and values to the individual.
Disagree:
- A person is defined by his or her individual nature, actions, reactions and role in society.
- Some join social groups to try and identify with it.
Ex: poor becoming rich and joining rich
Define: social groups
- Who we hang out with
Agree:
- Social groups provide a sense of belonging.
Ex: The "black is beautiful" movement and the embrace of African hairdos, culture and traditions.
- Social groups provide people feedback on who they are.
- Some join social groups that hold similar beliefs and values to the individual.
Disagree:
- A person is defined by his or her individual nature, actions, reactions and role in society.
- Some join social groups to try and identify with it.
Ex: poor becoming rich and joining rich
38. Society should identify those children who have special talents and provide training for them at an early age to develop their talents.
38. Society should identify those children who have special talents and provide training for them at an early age to develop their talents.
Define: special talents- higher intellectual awareness for certain subjects (ie, early interest in puzzles, higher level of reading, etc.)
Agree:
- Advantageous to develop these talents early on by allowing the child to focus and understand the use of their talents.
Disagree:
- How can you objectively identify special talents?
- Talent is not always innate but can also be cultivated.
- Geniuses can arise without early cultivation.
Ex: Albert Einstein was teased for his speech impediment and slow manners as a child and only finished a semester of school but he is now considered a genius.
Define: special talents- higher intellectual awareness for certain subjects (ie, early interest in puzzles, higher level of reading, etc.)
Agree:
- Advantageous to develop these talents early on by allowing the child to focus and understand the use of their talents.
Disagree:
- How can you objectively identify special talents?
- Talent is not always innate but can also be cultivated.
- Geniuses can arise without early cultivation.
Ex: Albert Einstein was teased for his speech impediment and slow manners as a child and only finished a semester of school but he is now considered a genius.
35. (50.) In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.
35. In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.
(50. Claim: We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than those whose views contradict our own.
Reason: Disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning.
Assumption: Contradicting views can cause disagreements that inhibit learning.)
Agree (Disagree):
- Allows for a more well successful product
- Provides for different perspectives, viewpoints that people with one cohesive view not to see
- Could provide for more innovative ideas
- Ex: merit pay for teachers, free college tuition for all students
Disagree (Agree):
- Stalls progress
- Causes frustration
Ex: legislative issues
(50. Claim: We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than those whose views contradict our own.
Reason: Disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning.
Assumption: Contradicting views can cause disagreements that inhibit learning.)
Agree (Disagree):
- Allows for a more well successful product
- Provides for different perspectives, viewpoints that people with one cohesive view not to see
- Could provide for more innovative ideas
- Ex: merit pay for teachers, free college tuition for all students
Disagree (Agree):
- Stalls progress
- Causes frustration
Ex: legislative issues
34.As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex and mysterious.
34. As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex and mysterious.
Agree: The most complex topics lies in the past and the unforeseen.
- Past
Ex: There still runs an argument about the existence of Jesus Christ.
- Unforeseen
Ex: Pluto was classified as the ninth planet from the sun until 2006 when further discovery recategorized it as a dwarf planet in the newly charted Kuiper belt.
Disagree:
Ex: A student going through school begins with arithmetic and still has many questions. Then, the students learns about algebra and begins to have a better understanding.
Agree: The most complex topics lies in the past and the unforeseen.
- Past
Ex: There still runs an argument about the existence of Jesus Christ.
- Unforeseen
Ex: Pluto was classified as the ninth planet from the sun until 2006 when further discovery recategorized it as a dwarf planet in the newly charted Kuiper belt.
Disagree:
Ex: A student going through school begins with arithmetic and still has many questions. Then, the students learns about algebra and begins to have a better understanding.
32. Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
32. Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
Agree: Society should only save species that are endangered because of human activities.
- Humans have had a dramatic impact on the environment and should take responsibility for their actions.
Ex: The northern spotted owl is endangered due to heavy logging in its habitat.
- Humans should not have to take care of endangered species that are not affected by humans.
- 99% of species that have ever lived have died.
- Darwin discussed survival of the fittest; evolution will provide new species adapted to the current environment.
- STIPULATION: unless the species is necessary for our survival.
Disagree: Society should save all species that are endangered.
- These species could be beneficial to humans with regards to potential medical discoveries.
Ex: Tropical rainforests contain as much as half of all known varieties of plants evolved with survival mechanisms that humankind could possibly use. More than 2/3 of all medicines found with cancer-fighting properties come from the rainforests.
- Biodiversity is crucial.
- Some extinction is caused by humans for the greater good of humanity.
Ex: Humans have caused the extinction of various viruses and bacteria, like smallpox.
Agree: Society should only save species that are endangered because of human activities.
- Humans have had a dramatic impact on the environment and should take responsibility for their actions.
Ex: The northern spotted owl is endangered due to heavy logging in its habitat.
- Humans should not have to take care of endangered species that are not affected by humans.
- 99% of species that have ever lived have died.
- Darwin discussed survival of the fittest; evolution will provide new species adapted to the current environment.
- STIPULATION: unless the species is necessary for our survival.
Disagree: Society should save all species that are endangered.
- These species could be beneficial to humans with regards to potential medical discoveries.
Ex: Tropical rainforests contain as much as half of all known varieties of plants evolved with survival mechanisms that humankind could possibly use. More than 2/3 of all medicines found with cancer-fighting properties come from the rainforests.
- Biodiversity is crucial.
- Some extinction is caused by humans for the greater good of humanity.
Ex: Humans have caused the extinction of various viruses and bacteria, like smallpox.
32. Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
32. Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
Agree: Society should only save species that are endangered because of human activities.
- Humans have had a dramatic impact on the environment and should take responsibility for their actions.
Ex: The northern spotted owl is endangered due to heavy logging in its habitat.
- Humans should not have to take care of endangered species that are not affected by humans.
- 99% of species that have ever lived have died.
- Darwin discussed survival of the fittest; evolution will provide new species adapted to the current environment.
- STIPULATION: unless the species is necessary for our survival.
Disagree: Society should save all species that are endangered.
- These species could be beneficial to humans with regards to potential medical discoveries.
Ex: Tropical rainforests contain as much as half of all known varieties of plants evolved with survival mechanisms that humankind could possibly use. More than 2/3 of all medicines found with cancer-fighting properties come from the rainforests.
- Biodiversity is crucial.
- Some extinction is caused by humans for the greater good of humanity.
Ex: Humans have caused the extinction of various viruses and bacteria, like smallpox.
Agree: Society should only save species that are endangered because of human activities.
- Humans have had a dramatic impact on the environment and should take responsibility for their actions.
Ex: The northern spotted owl is endangered due to heavy logging in its habitat.
- Humans should not have to take care of endangered species that are not affected by humans.
- 99% of species that have ever lived have died.
- Darwin discussed survival of the fittest; evolution will provide new species adapted to the current environment.
- STIPULATION: unless the species is necessary for our survival.
Disagree: Society should save all species that are endangered.
- These species could be beneficial to humans with regards to potential medical discoveries.
Ex: Tropical rainforests contain as much as half of all known varieties of plants evolved with survival mechanisms that humankind could possibly use. More than 2/3 of all medicines found with cancer-fighting properties come from the rainforests.
- Biodiversity is crucial.
- Some extinction is caused by humans for the greater good of humanity.
Ex: Humans have caused the extinction of various viruses and bacteria, like smallpox.
31. Teacher's salaries should be based on their student's academic performance.
31. Teacher's salaries should be based on their student's academic performance.
Agree:
- Encourages teachers to work harder
- Provides higher quality of teaching
- A teacher's role is to teach and thus their salary should be based on it and not their working hours.
Disagree:
- Teachers can't control which kids enter their classrooms
- Test-based pay is more useful politically than effective educationally.
- In an authoritative study by Vanderbilt University, there is no more student improvement with merit pay.
- Performance pay will NOT attract strong teachers but may actually drive teachers away. For teachers, money is second to working conditions (ie, supportive environment, such as time for collaboration).
- Intensifies anxiety surrounding test-taking
- Increases pressure to focus on test-taking skills and content tests cover, inhibiting creativity and innovation
Solution: Finland- reduced class size, increases teachers' salaries, eliminated standardized testing
Agree:
- Encourages teachers to work harder
- Provides higher quality of teaching
- A teacher's role is to teach and thus their salary should be based on it and not their working hours.
Disagree:
- Teachers can't control which kids enter their classrooms
- Test-based pay is more useful politically than effective educationally.
- In an authoritative study by Vanderbilt University, there is no more student improvement with merit pay.
- Performance pay will NOT attract strong teachers but may actually drive teachers away. For teachers, money is second to working conditions (ie, supportive environment, such as time for collaboration).
- Intensifies anxiety surrounding test-taking
- Increases pressure to focus on test-taking skills and content tests cover, inhibiting creativity and innovation
Solution: Finland- reduced class size, increases teachers' salaries, eliminated standardized testing
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
28. The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievement of its rulers, artists or scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.
28. The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievement of its rulers, artists or scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.
Define: a great nation
Achievements or general welfare?
Agree:
- A nation is not composed only of successful individuals. The general welfare of the people of a nation is an evaluation of the overall strength of the nation.
DisagrePublish Poste:
- Certain individuals put their nations on the map.
Ex: Rulers- Abraham Lincoln preserved the union and abolished slavery. (United States)
Ex: Artists- Leonardo da Vinci was widely acclaimed as the greatest painter of all time and revered for his technological ingenuity. (Italy)
Ex: Scientists- German-born physicist Albert Einstein came up with the theory of relativity.
Define: a great nation
Achievements or general welfare?
Agree:
- A nation is not composed only of successful individuals. The general welfare of the people of a nation is an evaluation of the overall strength of the nation.
DisagrePublish Poste:
- Certain individuals put their nations on the map.
Ex: Rulers- Abraham Lincoln preserved the union and abolished slavery. (United States)
Ex: Artists- Leonardo da Vinci was widely acclaimed as the greatest painter of all time and revered for his technological ingenuity. (Italy)
Ex: Scientists- German-born physicist Albert Einstein came up with the theory of relativity.
26. The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
26. The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
Define: luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life
The rich?
Or just everyday conveniences such as technology?
Agree:
- Children with trust funds
- Children who are funneled into the family business
Disagree:
- Provides an individual with the resources to be innovative and creative
Define: luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life
The rich?
Or just everyday conveniences such as technology?
Agree:
- Children with trust funds
- Children who are funneled into the family business
Disagree:
- Provides an individual with the resources to be innovative and creative
24. The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
24. The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
Define: positive actions, negative ones
- Ex: correct versus wrong answers?
- Ex: good versus bad behavior?
Agree:
- By praising the positive actions, the teacher is showing the student what is approved.
- Some children act badly to call attention to themselves. Thus, ignoring is at times the best action.
Disagree:
- There is no "best way" to teach.
- "Failure is the stepping stone of success."
- By making their own mistakes and then being taught the correct way, students can learn from their mistakes.
- Without correction, a student may assume his or her bad behavior is acceptable.
Define: positive actions, negative ones
- Ex: correct versus wrong answers?
- Ex: good versus bad behavior?
Agree:
- By praising the positive actions, the teacher is showing the student what is approved.
- Some children act badly to call attention to themselves. Thus, ignoring is at times the best action.
Disagree:
- There is no "best way" to teach.
- "Failure is the stepping stone of success."
- By making their own mistakes and then being taught the correct way, students can learn from their mistakes.
- Without correction, a student may assume his or her bad behavior is acceptable.
23. Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.
23. Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.
Agree:
-Restrictions inhibit the creativity of scientists and could severely limit research development.
Disagree:
- Restrictions should be placed on the research process due to ethical reasons.
Ex: Human cloning for medical purposes could provide tissues and organs for transplantation as well as aid infertile couples BUT would result in human experimentation that could produce severely deformed but viable babies in the process.
- Restrictions should be placed on research products that could harm society BUT the positive uses should be considered.
Ex: The atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki produced a catastrophic loss of life in Japan with 66,000 killed immediately in Hiroshima alone BUT nuclear explosives also have a non-military use in economic development such as the creation of canals.
Agree:
-Restrictions inhibit the creativity of scientists and could severely limit research development.
Disagree:
- Restrictions should be placed on the research process due to ethical reasons.
Ex: Human cloning for medical purposes could provide tissues and organs for transplantation as well as aid infertile couples BUT would result in human experimentation that could produce severely deformed but viable babies in the process.
- Restrictions should be placed on research products that could harm society BUT the positive uses should be considered.
Ex: The atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki produced a catastrophic loss of life in Japan with 66,000 killed immediately in Hiroshima alone BUT nuclear explosives also have a non-military use in economic development such as the creation of canals.
Monday, January 2, 2012
22. Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.
22. Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.
Reason: Heroes and role models reveal a society's highest ideals.
Assumption: A society's ideals represents the character of a society.
Agree:
- Heroes and role models change with the society.
Ex: The Vietnam War was the first "television war," bringing the terrors of war into the homes of Americans. When the Vietnam soldiers returned, they were greeted with hate and despised for what they had to do during war. However, during the War of Terror following 9/11, soldiers were greeted as "defenders of freedom."
Ex: Lei Feng of China is a cultural icon, symbolizing selflessness, modesty and dedication. Mao Zedong picked Lei Feng as a role model devoted to the Communist party.
- Emphasizes the importance of moral character
- Some stated that parts of Lei Feng's diaries that were later published were forged by propagandists to improve Mao's image.
Ex: Jack Ma of China, the founding chairman of the ecommerce empire Alibaba Group, is a national idol not only because of his business skills but because of his rise from a small business to the mammoth business it is today.
Disagree:
- A society's ideals don't actually represent the character of the society.
Reason: Heroes and role models reveal a society's highest ideals.
Assumption: A society's ideals represents the character of a society.
Agree:
- Heroes and role models change with the society.
Ex: The Vietnam War was the first "television war," bringing the terrors of war into the homes of Americans. When the Vietnam soldiers returned, they were greeted with hate and despised for what they had to do during war. However, during the War of Terror following 9/11, soldiers were greeted as "defenders of freedom."
Ex: Lei Feng of China is a cultural icon, symbolizing selflessness, modesty and dedication. Mao Zedong picked Lei Feng as a role model devoted to the Communist party.
- Emphasizes the importance of moral character
- Some stated that parts of Lei Feng's diaries that were later published were forged by propagandists to improve Mao's image.
Ex: Jack Ma of China, the founding chairman of the ecommerce empire Alibaba Group, is a national idol not only because of his business skills but because of his rise from a small business to the mammoth business it is today.
Disagree:
- A society's ideals don't actually represent the character of the society.
21. Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times and places.
21. Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times and places.
Agree:
- Laws change due to change in circumstances
Ex: Terri Shiavo was in a persistent vegetative state. When her husband wanted to remove her feeding tube, Governor Bush intervened with Terri's parent's support to pass Terri's Law to prevent the removal of the feeding tube.
- Laws change due to change in times.
Ex: Child marriage
In India, child marriage was common due to the shorter lifespans, the inferior status of women, and an attractive wedding dowry. However, with increasing awareness to women's rights and the prevalence of rape of children in these marriages as well as physical violence, law have been made for a minimum marrying age. Currently, males must be 21 and females must be 18.
Disagree:
- Laws should not be so flexible that it can easily be bent to anyone's desires.
Agree:
- Laws change due to change in circumstances
Ex: Terri Shiavo was in a persistent vegetative state. When her husband wanted to remove her feeding tube, Governor Bush intervened with Terri's parent's support to pass Terri's Law to prevent the removal of the feeding tube.
- Laws change due to change in times.
Ex: Child marriage
In India, child marriage was common due to the shorter lifespans, the inferior status of women, and an attractive wedding dowry. However, with increasing awareness to women's rights and the prevalence of rape of children in these marriages as well as physical violence, law have been made for a minimum marrying age. Currently, males must be 21 and females must be 18.
Disagree:
- Laws should not be so flexible that it can easily be bent to anyone's desires.
20. Some people believe that college students should consider only their talents and interests when choosing a field of study. Others believe that college students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
20. Some people believe that college students should consider only their talents and interests when choosing a field of study. Others believe that college students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
Consider only talents and interests:
- Would not be able to secure a job without the talents necessary.
- Can find a job with the right amount of interest and dedication.
Ex: Students interested in photography face a difficult future since photography is an interesting career to many people.
- Be aware of job outlook for potential careers based on your talents and interests.
Base on availability of jobs:
- Talents and interests are useless if it cannot be used.
Consider only talents and interests:
- Would not be able to secure a job without the talents necessary.
- Can find a job with the right amount of interest and dedication.
Ex: Students interested in photography face a difficult future since photography is an interesting career to many people.
- Be aware of job outlook for potential careers based on your talents and interests.
Base on availability of jobs:
- Talents and interests are useless if it cannot be used.
19. Governments shold focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems of the future.
19. Governments shold focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems of the future.
Agree:
- Some immediate issues are critical for the government to solve
Ex: After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the government took immediate action in looking for survivors, creating temporary shelter for victims and aiding the injured. Issues such as education reform took a backseat.
- Other current issues:
Ex: educational reform
Disagree:
- Anticipated problems cannot be ignored.
Ex: The United States has a reliance on oil. As its current sources are being depleted, America must now turn to more hostile countries for oil, which may cause issues in the future, especially since there has been little energy focused on green energy development.
- Solving immediate problems could cause long-term problems.
Ex: For example, the current water shortage in India could be solved with a large scale pumping of ground water; however, this could lead to a drinking water crisis in the future.
Agree:
- Some immediate issues are critical for the government to solve
Ex: After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the government took immediate action in looking for survivors, creating temporary shelter for victims and aiding the injured. Issues such as education reform took a backseat.
- Other current issues:
Ex: educational reform
Disagree:
- Anticipated problems cannot be ignored.
Ex: The United States has a reliance on oil. As its current sources are being depleted, America must now turn to more hostile countries for oil, which may cause issues in the future, especially since there has been little energy focused on green energy development.
- Solving immediate problems could cause long-term problems.
Ex: For example, the current water shortage in India could be solved with a large scale pumping of ground water; however, this could lead to a drinking water crisis in the future.
18. The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.
18. The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.
Agree:
- Prevent ascension of authority to a supreme power.
Ex: Hitler
Agree:
- Prevent ascension of authority to a supreme power.
Ex: Hitler
- Following World War I, many Germans were depressed and looked to Hitler for guidance. His charismatic oratory won over the people so that a cultlike following developed in which the nation willingly follow his plans, including the horrors that would later be known as the Holocaust.
- Allows for the exposure of scandals and the necessary reforms.
Ex: The Watergate scandal in the 70s resulted from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in D.C. and the Nixon administration’s attempted cover-up of its involvement. The scandal led Congress passing legislation making changes in rules for campaign financing as well as the amendment of the Freedom of Information Act in 1974. There was also the development of new financial disclosure by key government officials, such as the Ethics in Government Act.
Ex: The Watergate scandal in the 70s resulted from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in D.C. and the Nixon administration’s attempted cover-up of its involvement. The scandal led Congress passing legislation making changes in rules for campaign financing as well as the amendment of the Freedom of Information Act in 1974. There was also the development of new financial disclosure by key government officials, such as the Ethics in Government Act.
Ex: Michael Bellesiles, a historian at Emory University in Atlanta, won the Bancroft Prize, a prize for books about diplomacy or the history of the Americas, in 2001 but is now fighting charges of “fraud” and “intentional deception.” He wrote a paper that stated the onset of Civil War and the rapid growth of the arms industry gave birth to the American gun culture. If true, this would undercut the myth of the important role of the American “minuteman” in American political theory. The real scandal is the willing gullibility of ideological reviewers and academic historians. It focused attention on the fragility of peer review.
Disagree:
- Creates issues with getting things done.
- Creates issues with getting things done.
- Can cause problems when many different groups are questioning authority (i.e., have their own agendas.)
- Depends on how people question authority.
Ex: The Occupy Wall Street movement began to protest the inequalities between the rich and the poor as well as the alleged crime committed by Wall Streeters and the U.S. financial system. On New Year's Eve, as the New York City protesters went to overtake Zuccotti Park, one protester attacked a police officer with scissors, sending the officer to the hospital. A leaderless movement, OWS has not stated its main goals or demands and has actually accomplished little in terms of actual reform.
Ex: The Occupy Wall Street movement began to protest the inequalities between the rich and the poor as well as the alleged crime committed by Wall Streeters and the U.S. financial system. On New Year's Eve, as the New York City protesters went to overtake Zuccotti Park, one protester attacked a police officer with scissors, sending the officer to the hospital. A leaderless movement, OWS has not stated its main goals or demands and has actually accomplished little in terms of actual reform.
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