Question: When you were growing up, what were the three or four most important rules in your family? Do you think these rules were rational and fair? Why or why not? Explain your thinking. What rules have you rejected as you have gotten older, and why? Which have you maintained, and why? What are the most important rules you live by today (if any)? Are there any rules you think should never be "bent" or "broken"? If yes, which one(s), and why? If not, why not?
Task: Response to the two statements separately with a minimum of 100 words each. Respond to each statement with whether you agree/disagree and include one quote and reference citation from an attached reading and based on the question stated above.
Statement 1
While I was growing up, my parents had many rules for me to follow. Some were very minor things, some were huge. One of the rules I had to follow was to be respectful to other. This meant holding doors open, saying please and thank you, or just being nice to someone because my parents felt that is how things should work. This relates to Kant's philosophy. More specifically, the humanity formula. In the reading "Kant's Moral Philosophy" there is a section that states: "we should never act in such a way that we treat humanity, whether in ourselves or in others, as a means only but always as an end in itself." The article also goes more into depth by explaining this basically means respect. Another major rule we had in our house was to never say God's name in vain. Neither of my parents were extremely religious and I myself do not have a religion, but for some reason it was always saying they very much frowned upon. The last major rule we had in our house was to make your bed every morning. This rule is a little different than the others but for some reason it was very serious to my parents. Growing up, I would definitely get irritated with some of these rules, especially making my bed every morning. Now, I find myself holding these rules very close and taking them very seriously. Therefore, I do think the rules are rational and fair. You can never go wrong respecting someone, and by not using God's name in vain, you avoid offending others, and by making my bed every morning, I always feel more accomplished. I think the main rule that should never be broken is respect. The problem with this "rule" is everyone has a different definition and expectation for respect, but that is also something we should respect.
Statement 2
When you were growing up, what were the three or four most important rules in your family? My parents raised us to be respectful to (1) adults and refer to them either by stating "Ms. or Mr. so and so" and always yes "Ms. or Mr. so and so" or aunt or uncle so and so. (2) Always tell the truth no matter what, even if we were wrong. (3) Always treat others the way you want to be treated. (4) Don't judge or criticize others because things may not be what they seem. Do you think these rules were rational and fair? Yes, I thought the rules were fair. They made sense and thought us to be mindful of elders and to be respectful. It made us more aware and cognizant of being respectful and the treatment of others which made more sense as we got older. Why or why not? Explain your thinking. What rules have you rejected as you have gotten older, and why? I have not rejected any but rather embraced them more as I got older and gained a better understanding of why that approach made sense. I am thankful that my parents thought us those values when we were younger. Which have you maintained, and why? I have maintained all of them as I got older and am now instilling them in my daughter which has made her realize it best to be respectful and often questions why others including some adults aren't as respectful or mindful of how they treat others. She sees how some teachers themselves are rude and cruel at times which has her confused as why or how the teachers try to teach values but don't necessarily act in that manner themselves. What are the most important rules you live by today (if any)? There are a few rules I try to live by; treating others the way you wanted to be treated, being mindful and respectful of others and try not to judge or criticize because things may not appear to be what they are and try to assume noble intent because things are not always intentional and may be a honest mistake. Are there any rules you think should never be "bent" or "broken"? If yes, which one(s), and why? If not, why not? I can't think any but I also think this answer is one that depends on the situation and circumstance, yes there are some things and situations where no rules should bent or broken such as serious life threatening crimes as long as the evidence is there to prove true but then there are others such as someone made an unintentional mistake so the severity of the punishment may depend. This is a tough question to give a cut and dry answer to.