Hi

Doctor of a different time and field

Plumbing

Dan, Linford, Adam and Michael

How important are Values?

What we believe, what we value shapes our decision, how we act, what we do and who we become. All of that is very abstract but important to get our heads around.

Why School?

I asked the students why they come to school. Essentially they come to learn, they come because it is a legal requirement to go to school. Primarily the reason to learn is to get a job

Why a Job?

We get a job because we want to earn money so that we can live, so that we can buy things.

What is living?

What makes a good life? Fun and friends were two suggestions.

What to do?

Architect

Lawyer

Students were asked what they would like to do when they leave school. Here are the results. Plumber, lawyer, Engineer or Medicine and Architect. Often we speak about our jobs we say something like “I’m going to be a plumber” But we are more than our job. My identity is much more than being a minister of religion, I’m a husband, father, brother, friend, citizen, petrol nut etc.

Controlling people

Students were asked to discuss different methods of controlling people. Using celebrities, using threats and force, advertising, asking people to do things were some suggestions. The point being is that the best control is to influence people’s values.

Many people their parents age believe strongly in owning or at least buying their own home. It is a value of their generation. It is great for those who sell real estate and build houses.

Advertising seeks to persuade people to value a product or service enough to live for it or buy it.

The right Balance

We think knitting is boring

Working is important but placing too much emphasis on work can mean not enough value is being placed on say a marriage or family commitments. This is where our values affects people around us.

God?

We discussed the concept of God and how he might shape our values. For example if we believe God doesn’t like murder then we shouldn’t become serial killers. That made sense to the students.

Knitting

I asked the students whether any of them liked knitting. They thought I had gone nuts. But my point is that none of us valued knitting so none of us knit. However most students play a sport because they like it, they value it.