No.38

Think carefully about the issue presented in thefollowing excerpt and the assignment below.

A better understanding of other peoplecontributes to the development of moral virtues. Weshall be both kinder and fairer in our treatment ofothers if we understand them better. Understandingourselves and understanding others are connected,since as human beings we all have things in common.

Adapted from Anne Sheppard, “Aesthetics: AnIntroduction to the Philosophy of Art”

Assignment: Do we need other People in order to understand ourselves? Plan and write anessay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position withreasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

No.39

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignmentbelow.

There is, of course, no legitimate branch of science that enables us to predict the futureaccurately. Yet the degree of change in the world is so overwhelming and so promising that thefuture. I believe, is brighter than anyone has contemplated since the end of the Second WorldWar.

Adapted from Allan E Goodman, “A Brief History of the Future: The United States in a

Changing World Order”

Assignment: Is the world changing for the better? Plan and write an essay in which youdevelop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examplestaken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

No.40

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignmentbelow.

“Tough challenges reveal our strengths and weaknesses.” This statement is certainly true;adversity helps us discover who we are. Hardships can often lead us to examine who we are andto question what is important in life, In fact, people who have experienced seriously adverseevents frequently report that they were positively changed by their negative experiences.

Assignment: Do you think that ease does not challenge us and that we need adversity tohelp us discover who we are? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of viewon this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading,studies, experience, or observations.

No.41

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignmentbelow.

Traditionally the term “heroism” has been applied to those who have braved physical dangerto defend a cause or to protect others. But one of the most feared dangers people face is thatof disapproval by their family, peers, or community. Sometimes acting courageously requiressomeone to speak out at the risk of such rejection. We should consider those who do so trueheroes.

Assignment: Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when weourselves lack the courage to say it? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point ofview on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from yourreading, studies, experience, or observations.