Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Pattern-chaser]

So if you had to choose, what would be your choice? Keep the advanced classes or cut them to better fund the struggling students?

I don't like the idea of shutting down advanced classes. Clearly there's a balance to be found.

Yes, a balance. If funds are insufficient, spread the 'pain', by cutting all classes by the same amount. Under- and over-achievers, and the majority in the middle too!, all need and deserve the best education we can afford to give them, yes?

I understand the intent behind striving for balance, but in this case, I don't believe it works effectively. Sometimes, the quest for 'fairness' can lead to both parties being underserved, which ultimately creates more problems. If splitting the funds would result in both classes being run insufficiently, then it might be more prudent to cut one class entirely to ensure the other can operate effectively.

So you would abandon one group altogether, so that another can be properly served? Doesn't that introduce a new problem: which group gets abandoned, and which gets support? It looks like the only working solution is to obtain funding for all groups?

[Samana Johann]

So if you had to choose, what would be your choice? Keep the advanced classes or cut them to better fund the struggling students?

I don't like the idea of shutting down advanced classes. Clearly there's a balance to be found.

Yes, a balance. If funds are insufficient, spread the 'pain', by cutting all classes by the same amount. Under- and over-achievers, and the majority in the middle too!, all need and deserve the best education we can afford to give them, yes?

I understand the intent behind striving for balance, but in this case, I don't believe it works effectively. Sometimes, the quest for 'fairness' can lead to both parties being underserved, which ultimately creates more problems. If splitting the funds would result in both classes being run insufficiently, then it might be more prudent to cut one class entirely to ensure the other can operate effectively.

So you would abandon one group altogether, so that another can be properly served? Doesn't that introduce a new problem: which group gets abandoned, and which gets support? It looks like the only working solution is to obtain funding for all groups?

It's not easy to distinguish for one not wise, but certain it's good to support wise and abound fools, in regard of sacrifices.
Yet, nothing wrong with proper amount of compassion toward downwardly.

[Lagayascienza]

Right, and we know who the wise guy is, don't we?

[Samana Johann]

Right, and we know who the wise guy is, don't we?

"We" here refers to whom? Good householder and his dogs again? How ever:

It's impossible that a person of no integrity knows who's a person of integrity and who not. So only a wise would known.

Therefore, good to stick to duties in one's relation, in regard if rendering help, assistance. Starting to help one's parents, then teacher, partner, children, relatives, people of goodness/respect.

But maybe a hint of how to trace a not wise person: Wise always praise: * render help and assistance to parents (e.g. those who gave space and means) * renouncing world/sense pleasures, and * generosity.

[Lagayascienza]

Ok, this is getting tiresome. You are still very much on that wheel of craving, suffering and rebirth. I'll leave you there. And I'm putting you back on ignore where I should have left you.

[Samana Johann]

Ok, this is getting tiresome. You are still very much on that wheel of craving, suffering and rebirth. I'll leave you there. And I'm putting you back on ignore where I should have left you.

But may good householder remind, that ignorance is the very root of craving and suffering. Yet it's a choice, of cause.

[Sy Borg]

So if you had to choose, what would be your choice? Keep the advanced classes or cut them to better fund the struggling students?

I don't like the idea of shutting down advanced classes. Clearly there's a balance to be found.

Yes, a balance. If funds are insufficient, spread the 'pain', by cutting all classes by the same amount. Under- and over-achievers, and the majority in the middle too!, all need and deserve the best education we can afford to give them, yes?

I understand the intent behind striving for balance, but in this case, I don't believe it works effectively. Sometimes, the quest for 'fairness' can lead to both parties being underserved, which ultimately creates more problems. If splitting the funds would result in both classes being run insufficiently, then it might be more prudent to cut one class entirely to ensure the other can operate effectively.

So you would abandon one group altogether, so that another can be properly served? Doesn't that introduce a new problem: which group gets abandoned, and which gets support? It looks like the only working solution is to obtain funding for all groups?

I support my countrypersons over people from overseas. I support my local community more than those who are more distant. You can't save the world and it's simply vanity and hubris to imagine that one can do so.

[Pattern-chaser]

So if you had to choose, what would be your choice? Keep the advanced classes or cut them to better fund the struggling students?

I don't like the idea of shutting down advanced classes. Clearly there's a balance to be found.

Yes, a balance. If funds are insufficient, spread the 'pain', by cutting all classes by the same amount. Under- and over-achievers, and the majority in the middle too!, all need and deserve the best education we can afford to give them, yes?

I understand the intent behind striving for balance, but in this case, I don't believe it works effectively. Sometimes, the quest for 'fairness' can lead to both parties being underserved, which ultimately creates more problems. If splitting the funds would result in both classes being run insufficiently, then it might be more prudent to cut one class entirely to ensure the other can operate effectively.

So you would abandon one group altogether, so that another can be properly served? Doesn't that introduce a new problem: which group gets abandoned, and which gets support? It looks like the only working solution is to obtain funding for all groups?

I support my countrypersons over people from overseas. I support my local community more than those who are more distant. You can't save the world and it's simply vanity and hubris to imagine that one can do so.

Well yes, but the thread of this conversation seems to be about supporting advanced or remedial students, not locals or foreigners.

[Sculptor1]

No Good Deed goes unpunished.

I was walking the dog a few weeks ago. I live on the edge of the South Downs, laced with footpaths, cattle tracks and fences. As I was about to turn back home (maybe 1km+), but way up ahead I saw a man fall from his mountain bkie. The chalky tracks can get pretty slimey after prolonged rain. I watched for him to rise, but he did not. Oh well I'll have to continue onward to see if he is okay. The chances are that he could have been there for sometime and I wanred to makes sure he was conscious. After a minute or two I could see him rise to his knees. My dig reached him first and I could see him pet the dog but remain on his butt or knees.
I reached his position - he had clearly dislocated his shoulder but was fully aware. We phoned emergency but after a few question determined he could reach A&E without an ambulance (it would have to have been an air ambulance because of the location), as he was not deemed a bad enough case.
"That's my day ruined" I thought.
I offered to push the bike up the hill to my home where I adminsistered Ipruprofen and paracetamol (Advil + Tylenol ), He was not able to ride his bike so having a car large enough to fit the bike I felt obligated to take him and his bike home, where I met his own crippled dog; get his life story and there was plenty of time to talk of many things. One he had put the bike away, and I refused tea, I drove him to A&E.
His story was that he had recently lost his wife to cancer, and at the age of 70 was living alone with his crippled dog unable to end its life.
He was pretty lonely I suppose.
On the way to the A&E I have to say I was getting pretty keen to get back home to my own life. Some hours had already past, and this was time when my partner was away - I love her but love me time too.
As we neared the hosptial he said the dredful word as he thanked me for my help; "I think todays events are fortuitous, and opportunity to get to know you. Would you like to exchange numbers to meet up for a drink?"
My heart sank, but felt under no obligation to give him more of me. So I pretended that I needed no gratuity. on a do not worry. You know where I live just send me a card at Xmas, will be enough. There was nothing wrong with him, but the chance that a complete random stranger fallen off his bike was ever going to be a person I would want to spend more time with was remote to say the least.
"Are you sure?!
YES.
Anyway _ i'm reminded of this as I just received a thank you card and a £30 book token (we had spoken about books we had read.
I hope he's alright. Apparently after a couple of months his shoulder is "still recovering".

I suppose some people would have turned away. Others would have phoned him a taxi. Others till might have looked after his bike whilst he organised a pick up. Some might have taken him home and not all the way to A&E. Are there any that would have sat with him in A&E - I think not.
But some would, and some would have gone for that drink.

So why did I do what I did? I did no think much about it. I did feel a low level reluctance. It was a bit of a chore. But I had the time so why not?