You don't have to answer all of these prompts -- try to address 2 or 3.
What
is human nature?Why is a conception of human nature of important? What does it do for us?
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What
ought we to do?
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How
ought we live?
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What
kind of society should we have?
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Who is
responsible for what and why?
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What
kind of economic & political system is just?
What have you learned about death & dying that is important to you? Is surprising to you?
Has this helped you reflect on the meaning of life?
What
does life mean?
Am I
living a good life?
What
is death?
What’s
my legacy?
I have learned about death and dying that is important to me is that there are many ways to look at the end of life and what may or may not be something afterwards. Also, learning about the other types of religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism and their view on life and death. I feel like I have a more open view of life and all may come later on in life. The historical interlude surprised me because of where we have came from and where we are now. The increase that since has made into the process of death and has progressed our ability to help others out in life.
ReplyDeleteTo me life mean doing what you love, and being ready for what may or may not com at you in life or at least handle it in a mature way. I do think i am living good life because I try to life life to the fullest everyday and be nice to others even if they are not that nice to me. I look at death as a that person has left a mark on this earth and they leave a legacy for others to remember them.
I learned a lot about different cultures and how they thought about death and the soul. I expanded my thought about reincarnation and what happens after you die. I was surprised that some of the thoughts were the same even though they were far apart.
ReplyDeleteThe class made me think about what am I going to leave my family and the world when I die. It has made me have talks with my family about what they would want if they were being kept alive by machines and do not not revive orders. Also makes me think what am I doing to leave a legacy to the world when i leave this earth.
What is Human Nature? That to me is a pretty broad question with no right or wrong answer. I think it is our human nature to live a long healthy and happy life. Now each one of us may need to do different things in order to achieve that, but ultimately it's what we want. We don't want to die young, alone, and/or unhappy. Everyone has their own take on what happiness is and it's up to them to go after it. I can definitely say that I've thought more about death and dying in this semester than i probably have for quite some time. I out myself in a lot of situations and thought about how i would y handle each one of those situations. I think one of biggest things I've took away about talking about death and dying is listening and taking in what others would do in those same situations. Some were completely different in how i would handle them, and though i wasn't influenced in anyway or changed my opinion because i thought someones was better, but it was still interesting listening to others. I have no idea what life means, and i don't think any of us will know until our time on this earth is finished. So in the mean time all we can do is try to live a good life whatever that may mean to each person. I like to think i live a good life; i may have some bad days, and i know I've made bad decisions, but overall still have a good life.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this course I learned that human nature is something that we latch onto as a sort of guideline. I think that by learning the different theories of human nature it has opened many minds to different possibilities. I think it also gives us guidelines as to what is our responsibility as human beings. That we have a responsibility to try and help each other out in every way that we can. I have learned that with these theories I can apply them to my life in many ways. I think that it also helps me with facing death in the future. So that I know I did my best in any way that I could with my life, so I didn't leave any stone unturned.
ReplyDeleteThis course has opened my eyes to what the idea of human nature is. In my experience in this class, I have learned a lot about what the soul is and how death affects it. learning the different theories of human nature have elaborated on what human nature really means. this class has made me realize that you cannot take any day for granted. A person needs to live their life to the fullest everyday, and not worry about weather or not they are going to die today. For me, it has made me more open to discuss topics suh as death and dying with family members. I was in the hospital last weekend talking to my mom about her views on taking people off life support and giving scenarios for her to answer. This class has broadened my views and outlooks on life and death.
ReplyDeleteAs others have mentioned, I also, in this course, learned a lot about different cultures and religions views on death. In some ways the ideas expressed about death are very different from my religion, but also, surprisingly similar. I had never given much thought about how the world perceives death and the effect this can have on a culture.
ReplyDeleteThis class also made me think about my own death, which I really had never done before, and think about what I would want in end of life care. I was under the assumption that I would never be in a situation which might be hard for my family, in regard, to how I would want to die. I just always thought if I was going to die, it would be quick. Although, death isn't always like that and I would want my family to know my wishes so they would not have to go through any unnecessary pain and uncertainty about my wishes. This class lead me to talk to my family about death and what they would want when the time comes. I think this is good, because death is a part of life, just as much as living is, and we shouldn't be afraid to talk about it.
To me, life is just life. there is no meaning to it, except to live it, and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteall of it.
life is not some complicated sequence of numbers that you can crack like, a code, it just is.
so when asked if I am living a happy or good life, I must say yes.
For I am happy today, and living so I am living a happy life.
as for what I've learned, it's always nice to get new opinions on human nature and various thoughts.
I've learned how people around the world view the soul, how they view themselves and god.
it makes me want to go out and see the world, so I can just, learn more about what people think life, and we're all about.
i have learned a lot in this class about the relationship between human nature and death. the way we think, act, and feel about death explains our human nature. Through learning about other religions and their beliefs i feel like i am more open minded about different beliefs, but also more rooted in mine. I always felt like death was a creepy subject and something that i never wanted to talk about but after this class i realize that it is important to discuss death with my family and think about my wishes and the wishes of my loved ones. I thought that this class would scare me a little bit because it was on death but i honestly feel more comfortable and i am really happy that if some of the questions that we had in this class come up about my beliefs in the future, i will know the answers because i have actually given them thought and have taken a lot into consideration. I believe that as long as i am living every day to the fullest, that i will live a good life. Death is inevitable and is not something that i want to waste my life being afraid of.
ReplyDeleteThis class has really helped me organize and conceptualize my thoughts on death. Before this class, I never thought or talked about death or what I want if something were to happen. The discussions in this class has brought new important topics to the dinner table, although awkward, they have gave our family a good understanding of what we want when we die.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, the topics of human nature have inspired me to live in the moment. Live for a balance between practicality and desire. I want to live my life so on my death bed i have no regrets. I want to be able to say that i had a good fulfilling life. This class has had a positive impact on my life.
This course has introduced me to how we look at human nature and how we try to understand it through death and dying. This course showed me that all major religions have different views on what happens to us once our time on Earth is over. This course taught me that life means to live it to the fullest each day and not take a day for granted.
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot about death and dying in this course. I have started to think more about death and not be so scared of it. I used to put it in the back of my mind and think that i will think about it when it comes. I have also learned many different views about death, not only from the different religions and cultures that we have studied but the different opinions and view from the people in the class. It's amazing to think about how different people can think about death even though it happens to all of us. I am more open when talking about death and realizing why we make the decisions that we do.
ReplyDeleteLife is about doing the things that we want to do. About realizing that we only have a certain time to live and we need to make the most of it. The more we started to talk in this class the more i started to evaluate my life and the decisions that I am making. I knew that I was going to die someday obviously but like i said i have tended to just put it in the back of my mind. My legacy is what I leave behind to my loved one. The memories, the lessons and the experiences that I have done. I hope that i leave a good legacy and that people were proud to know me.
It is important to have a conception of the human nature because it can lend an explanation for how we act, think, and believe. We can gain a better concept for why people are who they are, and why individuals are complex with intermingled thoughts and beliefs. Understanding the human nature can give us insight on how individuals might react when placed in certain circumstances and what is going through their heads.
ReplyDeleteAside from the generic answer of how we should live as productive, law abiding, and morally sound citizens; we should live not only to secure our own happiness but the happiness of those around us. We are “obligated” to help the less fortunate, and better our community. We as humans must live to properly develop our conscience, and then have the faith that it can separate right from wrong.
Human life is more than just a biological function, it is the amalgamation of the physical existence and the conscience. Both the body and the mind are essential for life. However, death is tricky to define and can only occur when both parts have permanently lost the ability to be self-sustaining or responsive.
We ought to live in the now and not in the future. This doesnt mean that we should make rash decisions because we could die tomorrow, but we should plan for living tomorrow because there is a good chance you will be alive then next day. But make sure every day is meaningful so that if you do die tomorrow, you will be satisfied with how you lived your life up to that point.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that there is no certainty of what happens after death. I know what I was raised to believe happens and what I believe happens but I cannot know that for sure. It has made me question what it means to live a full life before we die because we can die at any point and I know some days I do nothing to live that day to its fullest, and it has inspired me to try and do so.
By taking this course, I learned more about myself, my beliefs, and the things I want to value for the rest of my life. I have learned to be accepting of death because it is inevitable, but not to dwell on the idea of death and to live my life.
ReplyDeleteBy learning about other religions and their practices, it helps me to understand that culture as whole. Although I still do not fully understand the Eastern religions, I have a better idea of what it is all about.
From taking this course, I have definitely felt my views on death and dying have broaden. I don't feel like I have to feel this way about a particular situation and I look at it from different viewpoints. Reading through sections about Human Nature definitely got me to think outside the box and pick up on something I have thought for a long time but could not arrive at the answer without this class. Looking on the meaning of life that means to me to do what one loves to do, don't leave regrets unspoken, and cherish life each day that one has. All this plays into living a good life and a good life means to me knowing you did all that you wanted to do. To me death is a door closing. I know it could come anytime and I understand that is not the end. I have always believed when one door closes, another one opens when regarding death. One's legacy should contain all the people that one has made connections to and celebrate their life. I hope that will be my legacy.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important thing that I learn in death and dying is that not every situation has two sides. Things are black and white with about a million different shades of gray in between. In order to obtain a better understanding you must look at a number of different viewpoints. Doing this can either help you strengthen your opinion or allow you to change it. By looking at multiple different viewpoints can make you a better person and more human because you are able to better connect with people. I also learned how crucial it is to live your life like today's your last day. You shouldn't dwell in the past, because doing so causes you to lose grasp of all the things that make life worth living. This class has also helped me build onto my meaning of life. Which I think is to make lasting connections with people. It is these connections that will make your life meaningful, because after you die all that's left of you is the memory of you and whatever impression you left on people while you were alive. This is what your legacy will be known as because physical objects will eventually fade and in some cases cant be replaced leaving your memory as the only thing left standing.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to get an understanding of human nature to better understand others and even ourselves. This can help us to make sense of what we do sometimes. I think it is literally impossible to find a political or economic system that will please people. There are always going to be people who disagreed and are not satisfied while other do. This class has made it easier for me to talk about and even sometimes bring up death. When looking at our human nature with death you see how important it can be to talk about things. Some of the situations where families disagreed on treatment and had the conflict really made me feel like I should make sure Somebody else knows what I want, that everyone should tell somebody what types of treatment they want at what points in their lives. I think that we are free to choose what we do in our lives but in order for them to be meaningful we have to do what is for good in general in the world. We should find something that we enjoy doing that also help others or helps the world and do whatever that is and then our life will be meaningful.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this class has really broadened my horizons to the thoughts surrounding death, dying, and life in general. Human nature depends on each individual person, because we are all different yet still the same in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteI think this course taught me a lot about myself and the life that I live. I think it made me appreciate my life more and think about others in my life.
One of my favorite aspects of this class though would be learning about different cultures and regions and how they portray death in their day to day lives. I believe it is always good to get someone else's perspective on things before you make a clear decision on what you believe.
All in all thought, I truly enjoyed this class.
This class has given me a perspective i have never had before. I have had to deal with death and suicide more than i would consider is normal for someone of my age but i also have learned what it may all mean in some sense. Human nature is the basic human instinct for life with a holding in moral tiding. We are always going to focus on our biological tendencies but we also have the ability to judge each situation individually. This class has taught me many different things when it comes to death and dying. The way that people deal with death can all be different but we are all human and all feel and suffer. I am such a private person that i do not let anyone help when it comes to personal suffering i have always kept it inside. I have learned that i am not alone in this feeling and it is normal because there is nothing normal about dealing with death.
ReplyDeleteThis class has really put things into perspective for me. I always thought of death as a horrible thing, that it was always looked at negatively by everyone. However, that's not always what death is about. Death can be a good thing even when people don't really think of it that way in particular situations. I recently had a close friend's mom pass away this past Wednesday and I couldn't be any more sorry for her and her family. I can't exactly say that I know what they are going through because I don't, but I can say that everything is going to okay. Her mom was sick and seemed like she was ready to go. She was suffering and she was just about done. Even my friend had admitted that she didn't want her to be in pain anymore and wanted to tell her mom that it was okay for her to let go. If I hadn't taken this class before all of this would have happened to her, I don't think I would have reacted the way that I did.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to know what other cultures think about death and how they view it. I know some truly believe in reincarnation and that's totally fine with me if they do, but sometimes I think that may be a superstition. But who I am to say that God is real? I think there was even a point during this semester that I thought I believed in reincarnation, but I knew I was truly a Catholic at heart.
Without this class, I don't think I would have appreciated my life as much as I do now. I find myself thinking about my actions and asking myself that if I were to die tomorrow, is this something I would be happy living with? Is this the decision that I want to live with for the rest of my life? I'm glad I took this course instead of something else because this is a course that I know for a fact I will use in the future.