How do the children play?

In my seemingly never-ending quest to complete the myriad studies I have undertaken, I am taking a course in ethics. As I was reading the assignment for this week, ame across a very interesting description of a culture in Central Africa. I hardly ever actually read the assignments, because it is generally a waste of time, but this book is really quite good, and has captured my interest. Here's what it has to say about the Ik tribe.

"The Ik acknowledge no moral or social obligation to anyone or anything. At age 3, children are put out of their parents' huts and thereafter sleep in the open, rain or shine. To survive, they gather in bands and form temporary alliances which are betrayed whenever convinience dictates."

Doesn't that sound just like Big Brother?

Dilemma

I should point out that I did not buy the book I am reading on ethics. A friend copied it for me, so it is a "bootleg". This has created an ethical dilemma for me. A little voice inside of me is saying that even though I have a complete xerox of the book, I ought to buy it anyway, because it is the right thing to do. After all, it is a course on ethics. Another little voice suggests that I might be able to squeeze a writing assignment out of it.

I like the book, and it is clear that the author put a lot of effort into it. It is very well written, and he is not afraid to tackle difficult issues. He deserves some reimbursement for his effort.

I don't like the fact that the student bookstore will sell me a used copy of the book for $40, but buy it back from me in esentially the same condition for only $15. It seems to me that there is an ethical principle at work there too. Like is it ethical for them to rip me off so blatantly.

Maybe I ought to stop messing around and write the stupid paper that is due this evening.

Seeing the white light

My ethics paper is done and I am now 4 papers away from completing my Bachelor's degree. Hoo-Ya!
It has taken almost 7 years, and required all the procrastination skills I could bring to bear.


I am, of course, still way behind in my theology papers, but was granted a short reprieve by my nun. Unfortunately, the reprieve does not extend beyond the time it will take to complete the BS, but I have managed to push it all summer, so I should be ok.