For the second reading you will need to acquire a copy of Fr. Robert Spitzer's book Ten universal principles: A brief philosophy of the life issues. While only the Appendix (pages 123 - 139) pertains to our discussion on the transcendentals, the entire text is worth reading because as Fr. Spitzer states in the Introduction:
"The evolution of culture and civilization has arisen out of the development of ten fundamental principles. Three of them concern evidence and objective truth, three of them concern ethics, three of them concern the dignity and treatment of human beings within civil society, and one of them concerns personal identity and culture. Failure to teach and practice any one of these principles can lead to an under-estimation of human dignity, a decline in culture, the abuse of individuals and even groups of individuals, and an under-estimation of ourselves and our potential in life. Failure to teach and practice several of these principles will most certainly lead to widespread abuse and a general decline in culture [Italic is mine]."
Some of these principles are absorbed in high school theology classes, but many can be brought down to the most basic level for students in elementary and middle school. As a professional educator how would you include these principles in your teaching?
Here are the Ten Universal Principles as identified by Fr. Spitzer.
Principle 1: The Principle of Complete Explanation - The best opinion or theory is the one that explains the most data.
Principle 2: The Principle of Noncontradiction - Valid opinions or theories have no internal contradictions.
Principle 3: The Principle of Objective Evidence - Nonarbitrary opinions or theories are based upon publicly verifiable evidence.
Principle 4: The Principle of Nonmaleficence - Avoid unnecessary harms; if a harm is unavoidable, minimize it.
Principle 5: The Principle of Consistent Ends and Means - The end does not justify the means.
Principle 6: The Principle of Full Human Potential - Every human being (or group of human beings) deserves to be valued according to the full level of human development, not according to the level of development currently achieved.
Principle 7: The Principle of Natural Rights - All human beings possess in themselves (by virtue other existence alone) the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property ownership; no government gives these rights, and no government can take them away.
Principle 8: The Principle of the Fundamentality of Rights - The more fundamental right is the one which is necessary for the possibility of the other; where there is a conflict, we should resolve in favor of the more fundamental right.
Principle 9: The Principle of Limits to Freedom - One Person's (or group's) freedoms cannot impose undue burdens upon other persons (or groups).
Principle 10: The Principle of Beneficence - The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Here are the comprehension and discussion questions for Reading #2. (Answers are in the Resources section of the Blog).
"The evolution of culture and civilization has arisen out of the development of ten fundamental principles. Three of them concern evidence and objective truth, three of them concern ethics, three of them concern the dignity and treatment of human beings within civil society, and one of them concerns personal identity and culture. Failure to teach and practice any one of these principles can lead to an under-estimation of human dignity, a decline in culture, the abuse of individuals and even groups of individuals, and an under-estimation of ourselves and our potential in life. Failure to teach and practice several of these principles will most certainly lead to widespread abuse and a general decline in culture [Italic is mine]."
Some of these principles are absorbed in high school theology classes, but many can be brought down to the most basic level for students in elementary and middle school. As a professional educator how would you include these principles in your teaching?
Here are the Ten Universal Principles as identified by Fr. Spitzer.
Principle 1: The Principle of Complete Explanation - The best opinion or theory is the one that explains the most data.
Principle 2: The Principle of Noncontradiction - Valid opinions or theories have no internal contradictions.
Principle 3: The Principle of Objective Evidence - Nonarbitrary opinions or theories are based upon publicly verifiable evidence.
Principle 4: The Principle of Nonmaleficence - Avoid unnecessary harms; if a harm is unavoidable, minimize it.
Principle 5: The Principle of Consistent Ends and Means - The end does not justify the means.
Principle 6: The Principle of Full Human Potential - Every human being (or group of human beings) deserves to be valued according to the full level of human development, not according to the level of development currently achieved.
Principle 7: The Principle of Natural Rights - All human beings possess in themselves (by virtue other existence alone) the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property ownership; no government gives these rights, and no government can take them away.
Principle 8: The Principle of the Fundamentality of Rights - The more fundamental right is the one which is necessary for the possibility of the other; where there is a conflict, we should resolve in favor of the more fundamental right.
Principle 9: The Principle of Limits to Freedom - One Person's (or group's) freedoms cannot impose undue burdens upon other persons (or groups).
Principle 10: The Principle of Beneficence - The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Here are the comprehension and discussion questions for Reading #2. (Answers are in the Resources section of the Blog).
“Appendix: Evidence of the transmateriality of human beings” in Ten universal principles: A brief philosophy of the life issuesby Fr. Robert Spitzer SJ. Ignatius Press. (2011).
I. A.) What are the steps for the argument substantiating our desire for perfect and unconditional Truth?
Thought Provoker
Where and how in our schools do we, or should we, experience this pursuit of “complete intelligibility” or truth?
II. A.) How is it explained that we come to possess a “sense” for perfect and unconditional love?
B.) Why are we frustrated when we do not experience this perfection?
C.) What happens when we fulfill our desire for perfect Love by
authentically loving God?
Thought Provoker
Where and how in our schools is this human desire for love addressed?
III. A.) Define goodness.
B.) Provide an example of our desire for perfect goodness or justice.
C.) Explain both the positive and negative sides of the desire for goodness.
D.) What happens when our desire for goodness is not reached?
Thought Provoker
Where and how is goodness evident within our schools?
IV. A.) Is man ever satisfied that he has attained ultimate beauty?
B.) What are the positive and negative effects of striving for beauty?
C.) Why does he feel this failure?
Thought Provoker
Where and how is beauty evident within our schools?
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