Striving to Be a Better Person What Does “Doing good by being good” mean? Simply stated, it highlights the idea that when one acts with kindness and compassion (being good) it will lead to positive actions and outcomes (doing good). It suggests that a person’s inherent goodness, their moral character, is the foundation for their helpful and […]
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Can We Find Ways to Come Together as a Society? I have previously blogged about civility. It’s obviously a problem today in government and politics. Some blame it on the style of communication of President Donald Trump. I understand why these critics believe this to be the case. I think it’s fair to say it’s not so
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Understanding the Characteristic Traits of Behavior Years ago, I watched a fantastic show that is streaming online called Homeland. I decided to watch it again, seeking to bett6er understand the bipolar disorder that afflicts the main character—Carrie Mathison. The cast is terrific including the star, Claire Danes, a CIA officer from 2011 to 2020. Danes stars as
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Guidance on Dealing With Bipolar Disorder Last week I blogged about bipolar disorder and how triggering behaviors can affect relationships with others. I suggest you read that blog if you have not already done so. One reason is I discuss the symptoms and actions of Carrie Mathison, the main character in the hit streaming show, Homeland, and how her
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What Will It Take to Be More Considerate of Others? While many people think compassion and empathy are the same, the fact is there are important differences. By discussing each as a separate ethical value, we can begin to see how each might influence ethical behavior and the response of one individual to another’s actions
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Analyzing the Causes and Possible Solutions to Gun Violence in Our Schools Add impulse control to the list of reasons mass shootings occur, especially at our schools. The shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin by a 15-year-old female student that left three dead, including the shooter from a self-inflicted wound, and six
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Being Intentional in Teaching Ethics Aristotle has said: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” This means a lot to me as I strive to inculcate ethical values in my students. Can we teach students to be ethical? This is something I’ve thought about a lot during my 30+ years
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Can We Save Society from Rampant Incivility? By age sixteen, George Washington had copied out by hand, 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation. They are based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. The first rule is: “Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of
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Do the Benefits Exceed the Costs? The use of marijuana has been increasing over the years as a result of additional states permitting it for medicinal purposes and, more recently, states are allowing it for recreational uses. As of 2024, 38 U.S. states have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Additionally, Washington, D.C.,
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The Antidote for Powerlessness Last week I blogged about the concept of moral distress. Moral distress is defined as knowing what to do in an ethical situation but not being allowed to do it. Moral distress is the feeling that we’ve compromised ourselves due to external forces beyond our control. Powerlessness is at the heart of moral distress. Moral resilience
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