• Chapter 3 – As part of an argument for the role of the liberal arts in educating for democratic citizenship, Nussbaum offers a brief tour of child development and social psychology. While much of what she describes will be new to us, much of it is the stuff of some entry-level, college psychology courses. Nussbaum connects that material to some real challenges of social interaction in a democratic society, claiming that “The narcissistic child’s original desire to turn parents into slaves finds fulfillment – by the creation of a social hierarchy. This dynamic is a constant threat to democratic equality” (33). Draw a text-to-self, text-to-world, or text-to-text connection that engages with some part of the “threat” to democratic equality. (You are not expected to use Cripps’ quote above as your starting point.)

When you have a narcissistic individual who tries to override the systems society has put in place to watch out for the greater good of everyone and they only think about themselves and their own selfish needs that threatens all of society and adds more pressure on everyone else who is conscious and considerate of others’ well beings. Kind of like mask wearing its harder for those of us who want to do the right thing when so many others refuse to. It makes our own efforts feel pointless. But you can’t think like that. Everyone needs to pull their own weight. All individuals within a specific society should  have equal rights, liberties including civil rights, freedom of expression, autonomy, and equal access to certain public goods and social services and when some disregards that and only cares about themselves and their best interest it puts stress on society as a whole especially when that person is in a position of power. This is why I believe that we should continue getting involved inforeign affairs. Even though it’s not happening in our backyards it’s important to be aware and educated about what’s going on in other parts of the world because all the countries really are so interconnected way more than people want to admit. As seen with the random supply shortages during covid. One saying that I really like and try to always keep in mind whenever I see trash on the ground I think to myself  “Not my trash, but it is my planet”.I thinks its so important to have that mindset and that its dangerous when people don’t. People usually just go through life only thinking about themselves and not thinking anything of the consequences of their everyday lives, and this is how the world has gotten to the point we are at today. Almost to the point of no return socially and environmentally. We can’t afford to put our blinders on anymore and thats where the liberal arts comes in.   

• Chapter 4 – Nussbaum offers a brief history of the Socratic approach in educational reform efforts in Europe, India, and the U.S. Draw a text-to-self connection between some specific passage in the chapter and a specific experience in your education to date. 

One thing that I connected with was the example that was given of “Billy Tucker a nineteen- year old in a business college in Massachusetts who was required to take a series of “liberal arts” courses.” I connected with this story because it talked about how through the course of his philosophy class Billy had to argue points and beliefs that he himself did not agree with. Billy said that “ this experience gave him a new attitude toward political discussion: Now he is more inclined to respect the opposing position and to be curious about the arguments on both sides”. I completely agree and relate to this statement. There have been many times in school where I’ve had to argue or write about something that I don’t necessarily care about or believe in. Even though it’s more challenging it makes it a more interesting experience in a way. These assignments I feel have definitely made me a more open minded more empathetic person overall. I think being able to see things from others points of view and being empathetic to what it might be like to “walk a mile in their shoes” is key for emotional intelligence.