Last night I was watching a competition of gymnastics between China and USA on the Beijing Olympics, when I heard the announcers talking about the training the Chinese girls endured to get to the Olympics. These Chinese Olympians were pretty much chosen at birth to become expert gymnasts and win medals for their country. A little after the time they are born they are sent to gymnastic camps and are only allowed to see their family about once a year. This talk between the announcers immediately made be think of Brave New World.
Similarly, in Brave New World, people from the time they are born are already designated to excel at the task they are chosen for. In Brave New World from the time they are test tube reproduced they go through Bokanovsky's Process which is apparently one of the major instruments of social stability. They are put in environments that go well with the tasks they are meant for and their task is their life.
Should children be chosen from birth to excel in one particular area or to know only one task like some of the Chinese Olympians and the people from Brave New World. Is it immoral to choose a child's future before a child has a chance to decide for themselves? Or is this a good idea and has the potential to build champions?
-Joshua Livingston
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7 comments:
I think that the answer to your question has more to deal with the beliefs and culture of a society. We may believe that it is immoral to choose a child's future without letting him or her decide. However, to other societies, this may be perfectly fine.
For example, in Brave New World, the people are perfectly fine with the preexisting system. It keeps society happy, peaceful, and stable. As a result, they are reluctant to change, and they feel that it is perfectly normal and morally correct to choose a person's destiny for them. We may feel that what they do is wrong and strange, but that is because our societies cultures and beliefs differ.
The case is the same for the Chinese gymnasts.Their society and values are radically different from ours. Most of the Chinese were fine with having children chosen at a young age to participate in a certain career, especially if it is a prestigious one like becoming an Olympian. Much of their society is based on pride and upholding honor. For them, to be chosen to represent the country and contribute to the country is one of the highest honors they can achieve.
Basically, whether or not it is a good idea or moral depends mostly on the values of a society. In Western society, if children were forced to be a part of something without them having a say in the decision, we would be in an uproar. However, for the Chinese and in Brave New World, this sort of practice is normal.
-Sejal Shah
I agree with Sejal, that it is perfectly normal in some cultures to choose what they are going to do with their lives. However, I believe that every person has a right to do what he or she chooses. It is not the will of others to force people, especially children, what to do.
I agree that people should have a choice of what actions they take through the course of their lives but there are some instances where people would choose stability over freedom. For example, a drawn-out war could cause people to seek stability even if it means giving up their ability to choose the course of their lives. What happens when the people become so tired of an unstable world that they seek stability at any cost?
I believe it is immoral to choose a child's future before they can decide for themselves.After all, isn't that one of our rights as a human being?How is it possible for someone to play "God" and choose what and who they want someone to be.
This is where a Brave New World falls short,Helmholtz started believing there was more to who he was suppose to be in societies eyes.When you take away someones right to be who they want it naturally causes one or two things,rebellion or emotional distress.Helmholtz got it in his head that he could be doing so much more,and stopped doing what society excepted of him.
Now reguarding the Chinese gymnasts their governments could've very well bread outstanding athletes, but that doesn't mean that kind of pressure is healthy for their youth.Their society may not have a problem with this but it doesn't mean that all societies can live with this unjust treatment.
Honestly,the question of whether society choosing a child's future should not be up to them.Every child deserves the right to be the masters of their own destiny.American society may be far from comparison with the Chinese,because we have the right to choose? Why should what side of the globe you live on make a difference.
-Aireon Harris
I, too, agree with Sejal because our opinion on whether or not it is immoral to decide a child's future before they are able to voice their opinion does depend on the society. Before, it depended on the time period as well.
However, now in present times, most societies would frown upon the idea of determining a child's future from birth because we live in a time where children are usually raised to learn to be independent.
This idea may have the potential to make the Chinese champions in certain events, but I can't help but wonder if they will be able to experience something that they have decided for themselves.
I definitely agree with what Sejal is saying. The people in Brave New World don't know anything different from being conditioned to succeed in what they are chosen to do. However, I think it should ulitmately be up to what that specific person decides to do.
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