Did some random reading. Drifted from Piaget's stages of cognitive development to Kolhberg's stages of moral development, somehow. And then to the categorical imperative.
And then on to modern day deontologists like Frances Kamm. His Principle of Permissible Harm is quite interesting - it is an effort to distinguishing between killing and letting die. The Principle states that one may harm in order to save more if and only if the harm is an effect or an aspect of the greater good itself. For instance, Kamm argues that we believe it would be impermissible to kill one person to harvest his organs in order to save the lives of 5 others. Yet we think it is morally permissible to divert a runaway trolley that would kill 5 innocent and immobile people onto a side track where 1 innocent and immobile person will be killed. In the end, it is supposed to address what Kamm feels are most people's considered case judgments, many of which involve deontological intuitions.
http://ndpr.nd.edu/review.cfm?id=9763After reading from the link you'd realise that the lines are still very blur. Killing versus letting die? Sounds like the euthanaesia dilemma to me all over again. So.. let's move away from that.
Was meant to blog about my tuesday at CPP. Had quite a fun (and importantly, short!!) day at CPP just today visiting Playgroups and Childcare Centres. Spent some time interacting with the kids and their mums, gaining some inside information on how these groups operate and what the parents get out of it (yes, it's not all about the kid!). The kids were so cute and positioned in the midst of their wonderfully primary coloured toys (great background) or out having fun in the sun in the sandboxes or on the swings, and kept staring indiscriminately (such that it was real easy to capture) at me with such wide eyed innocence that I gravely regretted not bringing my camera!!! Damn. Don't think I'd get another chance at visiting playgroups.
Ps. :) Cheer up, girl! Everything will work out in the end. Your sincerity and how much you value the frienship will definitely move your friend back into an even deeper friendship with you! There's nothing a strong deep friendship can't withstand, isn't that right? :)
PPs. To the girl who's leaving for Perth, take care of yourself k? Don't fret. I KNOW you'd make great friends anywhere you go, because you naturally ARE that great friend to others first. Don't know what God put into your genes, but it's definitely something anyone would kill to have (lol, that doesn't sound very friendly ;p). Haha. Jokes aside, you've come a long way. And I know it's not genes, God has used all those trying circumstances to mould you into something SO beautiful (the most beautiful part of which is the fact that you are oblivious to the big impact your small gestures make). You have been waiting around for answers, now it's time to head out to fulfil your dreams! Go girl! And God bless :)