November Monthly Blog

 Throughout history, society’s most fatal clashes were fought over differences in culture. Cultural domination has caused multiple wars in every type of society dating back to the Ancient Greeks and going through modern society. The article had compared the Eskimos to our cultural norms. Rachels quotes “’Different cultures have different moral codes’- has seemed to be the key to understanding morality. The idea of universal truth in ethics, they say, is a myth” (Rachels 53).  James Rachels is explaining that every culture cannot be identical; and to try to unify all cultures would be morally wrong. Each group has the right to cultural difference and the oppression of cultures would take away those rights. Personally, when I hear cultural superiority is the Holocaust. After reading this article, I find myself relating to the views of a cultural relativist that is portrayed in the article. James Rachels provides every aspect of cultural relativism. We like to think we live in a world full of individuality and independence, but yet cultures are being suppressed for religious and political reasons all of the time. This suppression was seen in Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, as the villagers individually responded to the influence of European culture.  The Umuofia tribe felt both the religious pressure as the six missionaries traveled to Nigeria. They are hoping to spread their Christianity, which they view as superior to the tribe’s religion. Okonkwo refuses to succumb to the new religion of Christianity. If discussed, I believe that Okonkwo would consider himself a cultural relativist; he gave his life in rebellion to the influence and change. The whole clan was stuck between the Igbo traditions and embracing the new opportunities brought by the visiting missionaries. It comes down to the idea of superiority in: race, religion, gender or sexuality. These are differences that make us individuals. With one common culture, our world loses the value of individuality. Cultural domination can be stopped with acceptance and less criticism; but our society is taking small steps towards independence. Rachels suggests that before society judges another culture, they should ask why they have these customs and the significance they have to the culture.

 

October Monthly Blog

A hero is not always the stereotypical “hero” seen in Beowulf; in modern society, heroes are now looked at from a scientific perspective. Scientist at the University of Oregon conducted an experiment that analyzed parts of the brain when given the opportunity to complete a “heroic action.” They concluded that some people just have a brain that naturally rewards itself for doing heroic or charitable actions. Another study is testing the idea that brains could be trained to always make the heroic decision, but many believe that the brain is already trained to respond with compassion and generosity. I can agree that the brain born with the inherited ability to feel compassion and generosity, but also selfishness and greed. I thought of preschoolers; they are all friends, but yet if someone takes a toy that they wanted then the greed kicks in. As members of society of grow older, the “selfishness and greedy” traits start to take over as the compassion and generosity shrink in not all but some. The real hero comes when the brain is still triggered to respond with compassion and generosity. Of course, society plays a huge role in this debate and it coincides with “nature vs. nurture,”

This article gave the example of a sky dying instructor who became paralyzed from the neck down after saving a women’s life when the parachute did not properly deploy. The debate comes from determining if Dave Hartsock, the instructor, is more of a hero than Beowulf. It is clear that the modern definition of a hero contrasts the idea of a hero during the time of Beowulf. Personally, I see Dave Hartsock as more of a hero because he gained absolutely nothing from the incident. Almost every battle fought by Beowulf resulted in more fame and attention, even in his final banner. The sky diving instructor received little to no fame and when asked about the incident “he insists he wouldn’t have done things any other way.” There are some striking similarities between the two men; especially that both Beowulf and Dave risked their lives for others, but I believe Beowulf’s brain responded better to greed. The contrasting of heroes must consider the societal norms because the idea of what a hero is has certainly adapted with society.  I am not in full belief that heroic actions are only from brain without any societal influences, but it is a plausible explanation for both the actions of Beowulf and Dave Hartsock

http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/11-what-makes-a-hero