What I really learned in this Junior Morality Class


In the morality portion of my junior year course there have been a variety of new things that I have learned but with this new information arose new understanding and a broader perspective to the aspect of morality. Beginning with good moral systems of Aristotle and other individuals who study in this area, various aspects and beliefs have presented new understanding that serves as beneficial in everyday occurences. The quote "An unexamined life is not worth living" supports this aspect of receiving new information and applying it to our everyday lives. This phrase in particular not only gives insight but encourages one to examine the positive as well as negative aspects in one's life and those that are negative, it encourages us to improve that aspect in hopes of improving ineself as a whole. It is essential in knowing that the study of morality is unique in its fashion. Unlike the obvious way of learning one receives through various textbooks, the study of morality highlights a deeper aspect of teaching as it deals with the numerous condition in our society allowing one to relate to these instances. As in the subject of Lynching Photography in America for instance, in the study of morality it is not enough to simply review the objective history behind it, instead it delves deeper as it asks us to examine whether or not this was a moral act that occured continously in our history. Within the study of morality a subject like this can be related to aspects such as abortion, euthansia, capital punishment and war as these encourages us to analyze whether these aspects are moral or not. Within the study of morality various real-life instances, songs and fables increases our understanding of morality as it provides insight that one may apply to their life. As seen in the lives of Deon Sanders and Eric Clapton, through the study of morality one learns more about an individual other than being familiar with their status in society. We essentially are opened up to what lies behind the fame or "glory" that one receives and understand them better as an individual. Through songs like Henry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle" one receives moral insight in a relationship between a father and a son and the way in which influence can serve as a moral factor in the life of an family member. Various fables such as Aesops fables have introduced a new understanding within me concerning the aspect of morality. Like the mouse who helped the lion, applying to this in my life I had the ability to become more attentive and open to the those younger or smaller than myself, as it reaffirmed that their insight or actions could serve as beneficial in my life. Though there are many other aspects that have influenced my moral perspective it is appropriate in syaing that the experiences that lie in this course aided my character as I became more aware of what lies beneath the surface. In the morality junior course of second semester, I have indeed been challenged to analyze my own life in learning of someone else's and have received knowledge in the process.