We have been discussing with the readings by Aristotle and Mill what it means to be a good person, how to do good in this world and what that means. In the John Stuart Mill reading about utilitarianism, he explains the fundamental idea that utilitarianism is based upon the creed that accepts “utility” or the “greatest happiness principle”. It asserts actions are “right” if they tend to promote happiness, “wrong” if they tend to produce the opposite of happiness. Applying this concept to service work, how should an individual act to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number? Is there anything that he should avoid?
Relating to our service work, he also states that “poverty, in any sense implying suffering, may be completely extinguished by the wisdom of society combined with the good sense of and providence of individuals.” Do agree with Mill when he says that poverty can be extinguished? What do you think he means he states that this is important because “every advance in that direction relieves us from some, not only of the chances which cut short our own lives… which deprive us of those in whom our happiness is wrapt up”? Do you think Mills philosophy is flawed in any way, and how so?
-Marisa and Megan
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In service work, I think it is best to find something that also makes you happy. Of course, work still gets done and people are still helped even if the volunteer is not happy. But, I think it is best when both the served and the server’s happiness are taken into account. I know when I do community service it is most meaningful when I am enjoying what I am doing and what I am receiving from the experience. In high school, to get necessary hours for organizations that I was a part of (like Student Leadership and National Honor Society) I would do any sort of work that I could find in a short amount of time. I would organize the shelves of the food bank, pick up trash, clean out storage containers, anything really. Although technically I was helping my community, I was never really thrilled to be doing the work. I dreaded going and putting on the white doctor’s gloves and taking the big black trash bag and walking around campus for hours, while my friends were off somewhere having fun. I found much more success in working with kids. With my work with a fifth grader every Monday after school, I found that I could help her and feel satisfaction myself. I think that this is the type of service work that should be focused on. If more community service work was made into meaningful experiences, I think that more people would volunteer and continue to volunteer. It doesn’t have to be some miserable activity that is done one day and then forgotten about. It can and should be something positive for all involved.
Think back to when you learned about the French Revolution of 1798. It was revolt of the labor class against the ruling class. Think about how societies emerged. They were feudal societies in which there was one king and a hierarchy of social class. There has been a stratification in society for as long as society has existed. There is the struggle between the haves and the have-nots. Different social classes have emerged as things have improved. It use to be that there was only an upper and a lower class. During the 18th century in France, the bourgeoisie emerged, creating a middleclass that had never existed before. But the middle class did not take the place of the lower class. The lower class still existed. To claim that society has the resources to elevate those of a lower class may be a true statement, but is it realistic? Is that what society wants? Will people give up their elevated social status in order to assist in the advancement of others? History says no. People have to relinquish their selfish tendencies of self-preservation. If people were primarily wired to care about the “greater good,” then communism would be a successful political structure. But I would also go so far as to say that capitalism in the presence of democracy undermines the societal empathy towards the greater good. America has a voter turn out of only 50%, pretty pathetic when compared to the 99% voter turn out that Australia is able to achieve. It is not a question of whether or not we have the resources and capacity to assist the impoverished, it is a question of whether society is willing to loose its lower class, whether or not people can operate in a capacity separate from self preservation and self improvement.
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