Definitions and Details
Metaphorical Thinking - a method of using metaphors to deal with complex concepts or communicate about those concepts with others.
Well-Being - being healthy and not sick, rich and not poor, strong and not weak, free not in prison, happy and not sad, clean and not dirty, beautiful and not ugly, standing upright and not falling down, having social ties and not being isolated or in a hostile community.
Forms of Harm - poverty, illness, sadness, weakness, being in prison, etc.
Immoral Action - causes harm or lack of well-being.
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Conservative Terms - character, virtue, discipline, "tough it out," get tough, touch love, self-reliant, individual responsibility, backbone, standards, authority, heritage, competition, earn, hard work, property rights.
Liberal Terms - social responsibility, free expression, human rights, equal rights, concern, care, help, safety, basic human dignity, oppression, diversity, deprivation, alienation, corporate welfare, ecology, ecosystem, biodiversity, pollution.
Strict Father Model - used by Conservatives to view the role that Government should take in our lives (could be used by mother or single mother).
Sees life as dangerous and evil is everywhere.
Love and nurturing an important parts of family life but should not out-weigh the parents' authority.
Parental authority is an expression of love and nurturing.
Survival is a matter of competition.
Assumptions about human nature using Strict Father Model -
people will tend to satisfy their desires when left to themselves
people will do things they don't want to do in order to get a reward
people will not doing things they want to in order to avoid punishment
Father's role
supporting and protecting the family
setting overall policy
setting strict rules for children's behavior
enforcing the rules
but do not interfere with adult children - could lead to resentment by them
Mother's role
daily care of household
raising the children
backup the father's responsibility
Children's role
respect and obey the parents - for safety and to build character
learn self-discipline, self-reliance, respect for legitimate authority
use self-discipline to survive when grown
self-discipline only way child can compete successfully
need to sink or swim by themselves as adults
by becoming self-sufficient in adulthood children become their own authorities
Strict Father Morality - sets priorities of moral strength.
self-control and self-discipline are necessary for success and self-esteem
respect and obedience for authority
following strict guidelines
rewarding lack of effort is immoral
self-discipline builds moral strength (courage needed to resist external evils)
world is divided between good and evil
must be morally strong to stay good when forced with evil
become morally strong through self-denial and self-discipline
morally weak person will eventually do evil
moral weakness is form of immorality
self-indulgence and lack of self-control are forms of immorality
A moral world is a meritocracy
Moral authority is:
1. defending the system of authority and keeping order.
2. using authority to protect those under your authority.
3. helping those under your authority, especially using discipline in order for them to become the right kind of people.
4. exercising authority to help create more self-disciplined people for the benefit of all.
Moral Order - God rules over Man, Man over Woman, Parents over Children, People over Animals and Nature.
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Nurturant Parent Model - used by Liberals to view the role that Government should take in our lives.
love, empathy and nurturing of the children is primary
children become self-reliant through care, respect of parents and community
parents must support and protect their children
children obey their parents because they love and respect them rather than fear of punishment
communication is key - parents explain their decisions and kids able to question why
goal is for children to be fulfilled and happy in their lives
children need to learn empathy, nurturing and keeping social ties
parents need to help children achieve their full potential and enjoyment - children need exposure to range of ideas and options in the world
children develop best in positive relationships with parents and community
learn to care for others and show respect by being cared for and being shown respect
open, two-way communication between parents and children
guardians allow children to develop their skills and achieve their potentials
Assumptions of Nurturant Parent Model
children will mirror their parents' behavior as parents themselves (assumed by both Strict Father Model and Nurturant Parent Model)
children will learn what parental expectations are and try to meet them
Nurturant Parents need to be what they want their children to be: happy, empathetic, responsible for themselves, creative, communicative, fair
securely attached children are motivated to please their parents and reproduce their behaviors
Children need a social conscience to be nurturing - need to be self-conscious
need to learn honest and sincere questioning to recognize what is good in themselves and their parents
nurturing parents encourage questions and self-examination
children learn to be the "right kind of people" - able to empathize with others, develop social ties, become socially responsible, communicate well, respect others, act fairly, nurturing for themselves and others
understands interdependence
cooperation stressed over competition
(Corporal punishment is a form of violence and children will model this behavior with others.)
Beyond the Golden Rule
Empathy is the capacity to project your consciousness into someone else to feel what they feel.
want others to have a feeling of well-being so you will want to promote it through your actions
requires step past traditional "Golden Rule" since others may not have same values as you
must do what others would want you to do for them
Morality is Happiness - Moral Interest
unhappy people less likely to be compassionate
need to make yourself happy in order to be compassionate
promotes empathy and nurturance
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