Write about Jesus, The Good Samaritan (Moral Life 371)

Question

Give your thoughts and questions. How does this relate to Altruism and Egoism. Keep the wording unprofessional and simple. Give examples of how to be a good samaritan and cite cite cite from the moral life (7th edition)

Your Response Papers must consist of two long paragraphs. (WORD COUNT MUST BE 800+)
-In your first paragraph, the task is to demonstrate that you have carefully read the text assigned for that day, by explaining, in your own words, what is going on in a particular section of it. You can choose to write about one paragraph, or one page, from the text assigned for that day. You must include a brief quotation (or two) from the passage you are writing about, and you must indicate the quotation’s page number. Put the source [either Moral Life or Folio] and the page number, in brackets right after the quotation. i.e., ...“Some things are up to us, some are not up to us” (Moral Life, p.388). I will assume you are using the assigned Seventh Edition of the textbook. If you are using a previous edition of the textbook, indicate which version in your citation. Do not spend any time on biographical information about the philosopher.

-In the second paragraph, the task is to demonstrate that you have thought critically about this portion of the text by offering an evaluation and critical thinking response to it (i.e. what you think about the ideas in this portion of the text, and why you think that). The second paragraph must be at least as long as or longer than the first paragraph. (WORD COUNT IS 800)!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

In the story of "The Good Samaritan," Jesus uses a parable to demonstrate the essence of compassion and neighborly love. The narrative follows a traveler who is beaten, robbed, and left for dead by the side of the road. As multiple people—such as a priest and a Levite—pass by without helping, it’s the Samaritan, someone from a group typically despised by Jews, who stops to aid the injured man. He tends to his wounds, brings him to an inn, and pays for his care. This parable highlights that being a good neighbor is not determined by one’s social status or religious affiliation but by the ability to show kindness and mercy to others in need. Jesus poses a poignant question at the end: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Moral Life, p. 371). The answer, directly pointing to the Samaritan, challenges listeners to expand their understanding of neighborliness beyond societal boundaries and prejudices.

Reflecting on this parable, I find it deeply relevant in our world today, where compassion can often feel overshadowed by selfishness or indifference. The act of being a good Samaritan can manifest in many ways, such as volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbor with groceries, or simply offering emotional support to someone in crisis. In terms of altruism versus egoism, this story emphasizes altruism—the selfless concern for the well-being of others. The Samaritan helps the wounded man out of genuine compassion rather than for any personal gain. Egoism, on the other hand, focuses on self-interest, often disregarding the needs of others. The refusal of the priest and the Levite to help illustrates this egoistic tendency; they prioritize their own safety or social standing over a moral obligation to help someone in distress. In modern life, being a good Samaritan could mean standing up against injustice, supporting those less fortunate, and advocating for change, even when it may not directly benefit oneself. Ultimately, Jesus' message in this parable urges us to consider the profound impact that simple acts of kindness can have, pushing us to foster a more empathetic society (Moral Life, p. 371).