Talking Points 5

"Nel Noddings asserts, we try to consider the life and disposition of those for whom we are caring. We

attempt to "apprehend the reality of the other" and then to "struggle [for progress] together."

I chose this excerpt because the author makes a great point with this quote. We as humans tend to put ourselves in other peoples positions to try to understand what they go through. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it's not because we tend to live in a fantasy world. We get jealous of others and what they have instead of being satisfied with our lives. However, it can be a good thing in the sense that we if we have a grasp of how much other's struggle we want to help them out. If every human could do this then we'd have a better world because we'd understand what others were struggling with and as a result would want to help one another out.

"Many agree with Sen. Kennedy, who writes that democracy "means . . . the responsibility to give something back to

America in return for all it has given us."

I don't know how I feel about this quote because yes America has given us a lot, but sometimes it screws us over as well. In any relationship there should be a give and take situation and we as Americans pay taxes and do other things that directly helps out the government. This is exact reason makes feel a little iffy because what does he exactly mean by giving back? A required military service? I mean, I bet some of the things that are assumed in this quote are unfair assessments of what we indeed have to give back. By working or even in teaching we help out others that live in America isn't that good enough? The last thing that I wondered when I read this was shouldn't we as humans want to give back? America shouldn't have to ask for it so it must go both ways I guess, but I definitely feel this quote could be worded differently.

"The thousand points of light through which the lucky serve the needy may help illuminate our humanity, but they cannot warm or nurture our common soul, nor create a sense of common responsibility connected to our liberty, nor provide integral solutions to structural problems. The model is compassion or charity; [service is optional, a personal choice,] and thus can never be the subject of political duties"

I was slightly confused when I read this from the piece of writing, but what from I think I understand this quote is saying that the government can't control whether or not e do the right thing or the caring thing. We as humans need to make the decisions ourselves out of the kindness of our hearts because thats the only way we are truly fulfilled. I totally agree with this too because not just the government, but no one can force you to do something nice, it has to be human nature to help one another out. Any normal human would get a fulfillment feeling by helping some one else out. Everyone knows it's the right thing to help someone out, it makes them happy and feel like they mean something in someone's life.

Overall this article made a lot of valid points, throughout relating to the themes or service and helping others out. I do agree with it making the argument that service can't be forced upon us especially be governing bodies, we as humans need to make the choice ourselves. Kennedy's quote that they used as an example, definitely raises some questions on what exactly we need to give back to America. The overall moral of everything is to want to do things because we want too and not others. We need to want to help others it can't be forced.