On the heels of Sonia's powerful and impressive senior project presentation last night, I would like us to consider the difficult conflict of idealism and practicality. As Emilie highlighted with her question for Sonia, there are limitations and challenges in the delivery of aid of any sort.
For Friday, please think carefully and write thoroughly about these questions: What should one do in the face of a genuinely needy child applying for help in the guise of an orphan? In this case, we reach the intersection of emotion and reason, empathy and mathematics. How do we reconcile these ways of knowing? Is there an objective ethical answer? In responding, please consider yourself as the knower. What experiences and perspectives from your life contribute to your response?
For Monday, identify and examine another instance of the intersection of reason and emotion. Consider anew how it should be handled and how you know.
