There was once a man who had never seen an eagle. One day a magnificent eagle landed on his windowsill, and when he saw it, he exclaimed, “What an ugly creature!” The man grabbed the eagle and pulled it into his house. “First, I’m going to fix that curved beak of yours.” He used a file to remove the hook in the eagle’s beak. “Those claws are vicious looking,” the man said as he clipped the eagle’s claws until there was little left. When he finished, the man said, “There, now you look better.” And he put the bird back on his open windowsill and shooed it away. You can imagine how long the newly trimmed eagle lasted in the wild. (Author Unknown)
In a Word document, write your response to the following questions.
Do you think it’s ethical to change people because you think their characteristics are different or somehow less superior to yours? If so, in what situation do you feel this is justified?
What happens when people place their beliefs on others?
The Eagle’s Lesson: Respecting Difference and the Dangers of Imposition
Is it Ethical to Change People?
No, it is generally not ethical to change people because you think their characteristics are different or inferior. This story highlights the dangers of imposing one’s beliefs on others.
Respecting Difference:
Justified Situations (Rare):
There might be rare situations where changing someone’s behavior is justified:
However, even in these situations, the goal should be to address the harmful behavior, not to reshape the person entirely.
The Dangers of Imposing Beliefs
The story of the man and the eagle illustrates the negative consequences of imposing beliefs:
Conclusion:
The world needs a tapestry woven from diverse threads, not a uniform cloth. Embracing differences fosters a richer and more vibrant society. It’s important to remember that while we can encourage positive change and growth, true transformation comes from self-discovery and personal choice, not from forceful imposition.