Sunday Musings – January 3, 2021
My spiritual intention for this day is to remain teachable. This is, I suspect, a laudable goal for the year. On the surface it seems to me to be a very simple goal. Achieving or approximating this goal will require:
Although my parents were both readers and both were constantly tacking very concrete, practical issues it was Grandma Fannie who introduced me to the joy of exploring the tough spiritual and philosophical issues. I suspect it was her encouragement and influence which led me to pursue a degree in philosophy with an emphasis on moral philosophy.
It seems that there was always a part of me which questioned everything from history to the teaching of the church. Questions such as:
This morning I listened to a conversation on the Ezra Klein podcast between Ezra, the philosopher, Pamela Hieronymi and the producer and writer Michael Schur discuss the Moral Philosophy of the sitcom “The Good Place” . Since I do not watch television I had never heard of his show. I was thrilled to learn that there was a sitcom exploring these important questions which, too often, many assume are too complicated or esoterical for the average person.
I am not convinced that young children or the average adult is uninterested in moral philosophy – how we know what behavior is moral or ethical. I think most children and people I know learn better if they know the purpose to which the language and rules of math are going to be applied. Very young children until they are “spoon fed differently” will say that racism, sexism or other isims are “stupid”. Most people might be turned off by the “big words” of philosophy such as metaphysics epistemology, phenomenology and ontology but we do not have to use these terms to discuss the nuts and bolts of morality or ethics.
Perhaps in 2021 we would do well to encourage our children and our adult neighbors to be open to exploring and learning . Perhaps they are tired of being spoon fed answers without ever being given a chance to learn the questions. Spoon fed answers are like any other drug. They bring temporary relief but do nothing to identify and tackle the real issues. Is it really surprising that so many young people are feeling so hopeless and disenchanted with the obvious lies about justice, sexuality, or work for works sake?
Learning may require that we introduce the questions before we manufacture the answers. I have been fortunate to have a few teachers including Grandma Fannie who encouraged me to question everything. Perhaps all of us would benefit from opening our minds and hearts to new possibilities. Perhaps we could do this with mutual respect and a sense of humor.
Written January 3, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
My spiritual intention for this day is to remain teachable. This is, I suspect, a laudable goal for the year. On the surface it seems to me to be a very simple goal. Achieving or approximating this goal will require:
- I admit that all of what I think or have learned to date is subject to change.
- I be at peace with not knowing or learning that I what I have thought or believed is not accurate
- I accept new knowledge often comes from allowing another layer of honesty with myself.
- I agree to put myself in situations where I have to trust others to teach me and/or guide me.
Although my parents were both readers and both were constantly tacking very concrete, practical issues it was Grandma Fannie who introduced me to the joy of exploring the tough spiritual and philosophical issues. I suspect it was her encouragement and influence which led me to pursue a degree in philosophy with an emphasis on moral philosophy.
It seems that there was always a part of me which questioned everything from history to the teaching of the church. Questions such as:
- How do we know what constitutes justice?
- How do we know what is moral? Is it the greatest good for the greatest number? Is it something we should just feel is right? What if science contradicts the teachings of religion?
- Why would a kind and just God allow suffering or condemn people to an eternity in hell because they did not know about a particular concept of him/her.it?
- Do we really have free will if many factors affect how the brain works?
- Should we help young children explore these questions, so they know the purpose of learning certain skills?
This morning I listened to a conversation on the Ezra Klein podcast between Ezra, the philosopher, Pamela Hieronymi and the producer and writer Michael Schur discuss the Moral Philosophy of the sitcom “The Good Place” . Since I do not watch television I had never heard of his show. I was thrilled to learn that there was a sitcom exploring these important questions which, too often, many assume are too complicated or esoterical for the average person.
I am not convinced that young children or the average adult is uninterested in moral philosophy – how we know what behavior is moral or ethical. I think most children and people I know learn better if they know the purpose to which the language and rules of math are going to be applied. Very young children until they are “spoon fed differently” will say that racism, sexism or other isims are “stupid”. Most people might be turned off by the “big words” of philosophy such as metaphysics epistemology, phenomenology and ontology but we do not have to use these terms to discuss the nuts and bolts of morality or ethics.
Perhaps in 2021 we would do well to encourage our children and our adult neighbors to be open to exploring and learning . Perhaps they are tired of being spoon fed answers without ever being given a chance to learn the questions. Spoon fed answers are like any other drug. They bring temporary relief but do nothing to identify and tackle the real issues. Is it really surprising that so many young people are feeling so hopeless and disenchanted with the obvious lies about justice, sexuality, or work for works sake?
Learning may require that we introduce the questions before we manufacture the answers. I have been fortunate to have a few teachers including Grandma Fannie who encouraged me to question everything. Perhaps all of us would benefit from opening our minds and hearts to new possibilities. Perhaps we could do this with mutual respect and a sense of humor.
Written January 3, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
RSS Feed