WGU
Study Questions (-192)
1. What hallmark of modernity reversed Plato's and Aristotle's judgment?
2. What gives life meaning, for Kant?
3. In a truly human society, according to Marx, how would our capacities to work develop?
4. Most jobs involve what, according to Paul Goodman?
5. People were certain, as late as 2008, that what?
6. What alternatives to consumerism have small groups begun to develop?
Discussion Questions
- Was Locke's "sweet" labor theory of value invalidated by the invention of money? 166
- Do we have a duty to our own humanity to work? 167
- Was Arendt correct about the distinction between labor and work, and about their rootedness in natality? 168-9
- Was Rousseau right about the value of learning to work with your hands, particularly carpentry? 172
- Do you worry, as Paul Goodman did, that there may be "no decent work to grow up for"? 173
- Is it a "travesty" to call people who work in advertising "creatives"? 175
- Is consumer capitalism infantilizing?
- Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you? 179
- Do you want to produce something of value? Why? 181
- Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it? 185
FL 35-36
- Is there something self-contradictory about being a "committed relativist," if all knowledge claims are "self-serving opinions or myths"? 308
- Have you had any "nonjudgmental Squishie" teachers who taught that reason was not for everyone, or that "someone's capacity to experience the supernatural" depends on their "willingness to see more than is materially present"? 308
- What do you think of Schwartz's "synchronicities"? 310
- What do you think of Jodi Dean's defense of UFO "abductees"? 311
- What do you think of "the boy who came back from heaven," etc.? 314
- Have you had any textbooks similar to Responsive Ed's science texts? 315
- Will COVID give survivalism more momentum? (317) Will it boost alternative medicine? 318
- Are Survivalists and Preppers "wacky and sad"? 319 Why is this such an American phenomenon?
- Do you agree with Jefferson's statement about freedom of and from religion? 320
- COMMENT, in light of recent events?: "Some American fantasies have become weaponized, literally." 321
- Do you agree "that so many of our neighbors are saying so many loony things [and Kurt Andersen wrote that before the Q-Anon conspiracy loonies surfaced, and before January 6] is doing us real injury"? 322
Do we have a duty to our own humanity to work?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. Work isn't innately good for the world, so I don't see how it could be your duty. No one has to work, but with the way our world is set up, it seems to be the only thing to do. I think everyone has a duty to do some sort of good in the world, but I don't think we have a duty to work.
Are Survivalists and Preppers "wacky and sad"?
I wouldn't say sad, exactly, because they aren't hurting anybody and they believe in what they're doing. It's entertaining to watch, for sure, but I won't judge. After all, I'll be the one to laugh at if the world does end and their prep saves them. I think the only sad part is that they constantly worry about the world ending, which seems exhausting.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
No, I will wear a piece of clothing until it's in shreds. Most of my closet I've had since ninth grade. I typically avoid very specific fashion trends for that reason. The clothes go out of fashion so quickly, and landfills are full of clothes that no longer seem cool. And no, this shouldn't happen. If a trend passes and you want to get rid of the clothing, then you never really liked the clothes. If you buy what you like it, you'll keep it.
On your point about duty to work.
DeleteI would say it depends on how far you go by work. In theory, if we were in a world prior to the industrial revolution, one would have to work a farm or work at hunting to be able to feed themselves and those who depend on them. So could you call it a duty to oneself that you work. So that you may preserve yourself? Or is self-preservation separate from duties?
(H03)”Do you worry, as Paul Goodman did, that there may be "no decent work to grow up for”?”
ReplyDeleteYes. Something I’m always considering is whether I will actually be happy and satisfied in my career field or not. I think most jobs these days do not allow one to feel truly satisfied because what you actually do at work does not contribute to taking care of your needs.
“Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?”
I try not to buy many trendy items of clothing in the first place so I don’t discard unfashionable items very often, but I do sometimes. I don’t think you should because it is extremely wasteful and detrimental to the environment. Fast fashion is a huge problem that is not adequately addressed and trends contributes to it greatly.
H03
ReplyDeleteDo you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it? 185
I do want to find meaning in my work because I feel that will motivate me to want to do well in my career of choice.
Will COVID give survivalism more momentum? (317) Will it boost alternative medicine? 318
I think with COVID-19 will come more alternative medicine, especially with how people reacted to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Do you agree "that so many of our neighbors are saying so many loony things [and Kurt Andersen wrote that before the Q-Anon conspiracy loonies surfaced, and before January 6] is doing us real injury"? 322
I do feel more people are starting to rely more on conspiracy theories to feed into their own way of thinking.
I agree that conspiracy theories to feed into their own way of thinking, but I would like to add that this can become dangerous as seen in the anti-vaccine communities. Many parents are delaying vaccinating their children or not vaccinating at all. This is only one example of a dangerous conspiracy theory.
DeleteDo we have a duty to our own humanity to work?
ReplyDeleteI do not think our only purpose here is to work, but I think if you are able you should do something to contribute to everyone's good, rather than only benefitting yourself.
Do you want to produce something of value?
Yes I do. I want my life to not be self-centered but while I try to do good for myself, hopefully I'll do good for others too.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work?
I do not want my work to be the only thing that defines me or the only thing I find meaning in, but I think it is important to enjoy your work and find something you want to do.
H3
DeleteI relate to your last responses because I don’t think your work defines you, but you can definitely get joy out of it. In the process you can also bring others joy as well. In response to the first question, what do you define as work?
DeleteH2
ReplyDeleteDo you want to produce something of value? Why?
I'd like to produce something that makes me proud and satisfies me. If it outlives me, that's even better. Often we don't know what our legacy entails. As stated in the play "Hamilton," Alexander Hamilton himself says, "What? What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see" (The World was Wide Enough). Know one truly knows how the effects of their life will ripple after they pass, so that's why I want to satisfy myself with what I accomplish and produce.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
I hope so. I want the work I take to get my degree and my future job to have a good payoff. I want to be able to find myself a passion and something I can find meaning in, so I hope that the payoff is good. If I don't find it there, then I assume I must find it in the people in my life and other things I do. But I try not to rely on another people, as that tends to be more detrimental to me than anything. I'd like to find something else I can dedicate myself to.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
I get rid of clothes that tend to not fit me anymore. I have lots of shirts and pants that are too big for me and look more unsightly than anything. I probably shouldn't, as there are people that could be using it themselves, but I can't will myself to wear it, even around the house.
Do we have a duty to our own humanity to work?
ReplyDeleteI would say if capable yes. Not everyone is able to partake in the workforce, but if you can, I say you should. Without work, communities and society wouldn’t be able to progress, so therefore work is important.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
I don’t usually do this. Most of the time when I get rid of clothes is either when it’s worn out (meaning there’s holes or rips) or it doesn’t fit me anymore. I’m that type of person who doesn’t care if their clothes are “fashionable” or “unfashionable.” Clothes are still clothes no matter what.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
While I would say I’ve found meaning in life in general, I do plan on finding some meaning in my work in the future. I think my work will play a big part into my already meaning of life, so I think it’s important to find meaning within everything, even work.
H03
h2
ReplyDeleteDo you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
Typically, I only discard of clothes that do not fit my body anymore, never really because they’re “unfashionable.” I’ll pass these clothes down to my younger brother or my mom will distribute them to clothing stores or her friends who have younger children. This way, my older clothes can benefit other people which I believe is better than just discarding or throwing them out. However, if I buy clothing that do not fit or I don’t like, then I’ll return them back to the store or ask my friends if they want them instead.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
I hope to find meaning in my work. I believe most people want to discover some kind of meaning or passion in their work, but it does not always turn out that way. Some people work solely to support their family or because the job provides a good sense of security. If I’m unfortunate enough to end up at a job or work that I do not necessarily find meaning in, then maybe setting time aside to work on some of my interests or discovering other hobbies will help me seek out a meaning.
H2 HANNAH LITVJAK
ReplyDelete"Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you? 179"
I do not discard clothes I am tired of; I either donate them to Goodwill or I sell them for less than half or half price of what I paid. I believe in recycling and buying secondhand in the majority of my clothes, so I believe recycling your clothes, donating or selling to another is absolutely justified. What is not justified is upselling your clothes for more than what you paid for them, unless they are of vintage value and worth a lot (rare). It is better than just throwing them away, though.
"Do you want to produce something of value? Why? 181"
Of course. I always had wanted to be an author of a best-selling book. Not a cash grab, but a book that would eventually be taught in schools/colleges. I would love to be credited with a profound work of literature. It would give me such gratification and satisfaction with my life, since I have been writing stories since I was in kindergarten.
"Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?"
I wouldn't expect it, but I would hope it was there within my words. I would probably find meaning in my book in the descriptions of characters and their experiences. However, seeing as I am very critical of my work and a perfectionist by heart, I would not really know how to look until someone pointed it out.
I also donate any items I don't use to Goodwill. I have a friend who strictly wears vintage-style items, and she started a summer program in my hometown to take children into Goodwill, let them pick a few items, and teach them how to upcycle them. A lot of the items from this last summer were very impressive, and that just goes to show that we have the potential and the creativity to find new purpose for used clothing and that the real issue is that most people don't care enough to try.
DeleteH03
ReplyDeleteDo you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
Fast fashion is a big problem. Clothes are made poorly, cheaply made with no regard for the environment or moral ethics. I do not normally buy trendy clothes because I know in the next 6 months something else will become big. I try to only buy second-hand in thrift stores or on resale apps. I don’t really discard clothes that often and when I do I donate them instead of throwing them away.
Do you want to produce something of value? Why?
I do want to do work and produce things of value. I want my work to be meaningful and important, for it to do good and help people. I am aware that that is very hard to find and when you do find it it is often low paying. It has been a struggle for me to find a path that will make me happy and financially comfortable. Someone wants to earn a decent living they must make trade-offs when it comes to the enjoyment of their career. This is a hard truth of our society. Some people try and fight it and are successful, but many don’t and become a slave to capitalism.
Quick fashion has the worst quality clothing! I buy clothes that I think fit my style and not really what society sees as fashionable. I wear a lot of athletic clothing as well as throwing in a flannel here and there. If I do discard clothing I always donate it instead of selling it or throwing it away so someone who is in need of it can have it!
DeleteH03
ReplyDeleteDo we have a duty to our own humanity to work? 167
I believe it depends on the system we’re in and what we define work as. Because we are intellectual beings, I do think there is a degree of work essential to our lives everyday. We do chores around the house, take care of others, and take care of ourselves at the least. If you don’t define basic things like this as work, what would you define it as? As far as a job goes, our society depends on labor. While we take part in the capitalist system, there is a sort of understanding that we are obligated to put something in. In this sense, it is work. So, some may argue that we do have a duty to work solely based on the economy. I believe that the basic level work (chores, etc) it is inevitable, so I do think we have a duty as humans to work. The bigger question is why we work, though.
Do you want to produce something of value, why?
Yes, I have a goal to produce something of value to the economy or other humans. My motive behind this is to create something that others value and make them happy. I want to write a book that makes readers happy. My motive is to find happiness in making it, and even greater happiness in the return of making others happy. Not money.
Exactly! Your point for the second question is great. I agree that it is all about how it makes you feel and not the monetary value behind it. If you were doing it for the money your heart wouldn't be put into the finished product because you really didn't do it for you. Great example!
Delete(H03)
ReplyDeleteMy entire entry got deleted by a glitchy refresh, so I am paraphrasing now.
Do we have a duty to our humanity to work?
Yes. We are hardwired to work, by society to be useful and by our bodies for survival. Even those who do not need to work tend to find work to do, or feel dissatisfied with their activities.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
I do not get rid of clothing or goods due to fashion, as quite frankly my fashion sense is at best normal. I still wear some clothes that I had bought oversized in middle and early high school.
Do you want to produce something of value, why?
I do, as a creative person, want to produce something of quality and both personal and literal value. Literal value because pay and respect, to myself because I feel very down on myself if I create something worse than my best or of low value.
I agree that humans have a drive to work. We also have a duty to work because in our society everything depends on working and earning things to thrive. I also really want to produce something of value.
DeleteDo you want to produce something of value? Why? 181
ReplyDeleteI do want to produce something of value. It doesn't necessarily have to be of value to others, but I want to make something that I can be proud of and it has a lot of value to me. It makes me feel as though my work wasn't waisted.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it? 185
Yes, and if I don't find meaning in my work I wouldn't be trying my hardest.
I agree. I find that my work has more meaning based on the amount of effort I put into it. Even an essay can mean a lot when I am passionate about the topic and put a lot of time and research into it.
DeleteDo you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
ReplyDeleteI hope that most of us spending so much money to be here would say yes there should be some sort of meaning in our work. Which is why I think there has been such a problem in corporate America. The low level management positions given are so detached from the actual benefit provided by the company that its hard for people in those positions to see any worth in what they do. The more you are detached from the work or the more specific your task the less meaning it has to you. Once you're that high up you begin to become part of the company and not yourself anymore. You become fixated on making maximum profits that its less about the good or service and more about the acquisition of wealth. Which, if I understand correctly, coincides with Marx's idea of alienation from work.
H01
ReplyDeleteDo you worry, as Paul Goodman did, that there may be "no decent work to grow up for"?
- Sometimes I worry that all work will be taken by robots, but as of now teachers are needed to inspire the generations of tomorrow and I think that is work worthy of growing up for.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
- No. Until last year I still had all my shirts from early middle school. When I moved to college I gave all of my old T-shirts to my younger brother to save space, but the rest of my wardrobe still consists of clothes that I have worn for years. I do not get rid of clothes unless they are unrepairable or they do not fit. I do not think people should get rid of clothes easily because that can harm the environment, but if they do get rid of clothes it is better to donate them or find them a new home rather than throwing them away.
Do you want to produce something of value? Why?
- Yes, I want to teach my future students to be good members of society because it can improve their lives and the lives of others.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
- Yes, I want to be a teacher, and I plan to find a lot of meaning in that work.
I also keep a lot of my old clothes. Just last year I finally went through all my clothes and got rid of a lot of my older clothes. I also want to produce something of value related to teaching kids!
DeleteDo you want to produce something of value? Why?
ReplyDeleteI do because I want to make an impact in the world. It does not need to be a big difference. I mostly just want to help kids learn things.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
I believe I will find meaning. If I am planning on being a teacher I am going to help the youth develop ideas and help them become passionate about things. This is important to me because I want kids to have someone that cares about them.
Do you regularly discard "unfashionable" clothes or other goods before they wear out or break down? Should you?
ReplyDeleteI keep all items of clothing that have meaning to me, like stuff from extracurricular activities or school. At my house, we have a one-year rule, where if we haven't worn an item in a year or longer, we automatically donate it to Goodwill. I don't think anyone should make a habit of throwing away clothes they don't want because there is always someone out there who can make good use out of something that we see no value in.
Do you expect to find meaning in your work? If not, where will you find it?
I hope that I am able to find meaning in my work. I've been wanting to become a lawyer since I was a child, mainly because I wanted to be involved in criminal justice reform. But I do realize that once I become a lawyer, I will have to do things that go against my own morals or beliefs. If I end up causing more harm than good once I become a lawyer, I most likely wouldn't change career paths and instead, I would involve myself more in programs to help the communities I might hurt.
H01
Delete