Journal 1

1)The key idea of the first section of morality is the question "Why study morality?"           In general, you study something in order to gain knowledge of the subject which you are studying.  For instance, I would study algebra if I wanted to learn the quadratic equation.  Just the same I study morality in order to better understand it.  However, when studying morality there is an extra objective that you don't usually have with other subjects.  When studying morality you study it not only to gain knowledge, but also to apply what you learn to your own life, so that you may examine your own definition of morality and alter it if need be, which is often the case.  There are many things which people do throughout their lives which they don't think of as immoral, because it doesn't violate their relative morality.  But just after having begun this course in studying morality it is becoming more and more apparent that morality is not wholly subjective.  While some moral issuses are up to your own disgression, there is a basic objective morality.  Ultimately, the reason to study morality is to gain knowledge to distinguise what is and what is not moral, and to learn how to apply morality to your life, through your words thoughts and actions.

2) Choice 2a.   A song that I have always liked and that has a strong moral message for me is Bitter Sweet Symphony by "The Verve."  This song initially drew me to it because of its catchy simple melody played with violins.  However, this past year I have actually listened to the lyrics and the song has grown into a powerful testamony for the humna condition and the ability to escape it.  the song talks about how this life is a bitter sweet symphony, and how people find money and then they die.  Yet the message of the song is not that all people just seek wealth and die, but rather that he(the singer) can change his mold; he can change his state and escape the bitterness of life.

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Choice 2b.   When I was young my mom would read books to me before I slept.  Back then I didn't like The Giving Tree because the pictures scared me, but now that I am older, I can appreciate the message of the book.  The tree gave selflessly to the boy without any thought of reward.  Whenever the boy needed anything the tree would immediatley offer of itself to make the boy happy.  I know that I am imperfect and that I am often selfish, but the message of The Giving Tree is often on my mind.  I try to be selfless whenever I can be, and even though I am not always, I think that I have made significant improvements towards becoming a more others-centered person.

Choice 4.    When I was doing the right speech experiment I noticed that other than lying I am often very sarcastic.  Often, sarcasm can be more damaging than lies.  I try to save my sarcasm for times when it wouldn't hurt anyone or when I know the object of my sarcasm can shake it off and not be offended, but sometimes I say things without thinking.  I think that I picked this trait up from my parents, but mainly my dad.  Sarcasm isn't alway inappropriate, so I just need to learn when and when not to use it.

4)  When do my words have a double meaning that I may not be consciously aware of?  When do my words do more harm than good?

5)  I think that the only thing that I could do to make myself a more moral person is to keep on examining my actions and words and, at sometimes, even my thoughts.  I need to be more aware of the things that I say without even thinking about saying them, and then I need to start to change towards truth and charity.

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