Empathy and Neutrality

     I found Makau point and Arnett's comments on it very interesting. Specifically looking at Arnett talking about how their is an importance of care for another, and the good of attentiveness to another (Arnett pg 49). I think it ties in really well with the intro to chapter 2 looking at how colleges are the first time a lot of people encounter a lot of different people, thoughts, and opinions. Having an open mind and thinking about issues empathetically can help guide you to find the good. That is not to say this will help guide you to what is good every time but I feel can start you on the better path. With that in mind I think you can start finding what good communication ethic is and start promoting it.

In the same quote (Makau 2002 p. ix) talks about neutrality has proven to be both fruitless and undesirable in reference to relations and social structures. I have to agree with that statement I do not think you will see any positive change taking a neutral stance, you need to be an ally of causes for there to be changes. I do however thing being neutral at time can be helpful for learning. Whenever I am uncertain on a topic personally or want to know specifically how someone else thinks about something I try to not argue points even if they upset me and try to ask questions. In that case I think I can learn about topics better and also hopefully have a better argument to a conversation the next time I come in contact with that person.

I think being neutral can really help us find the why of people. That will help us better understand where people are coming from or why they think a certain way and see it as good compared to our view of good. I personally have seen that with family members. If I can learn the why and help talk through it with them I can often learn why they think certain ways and possibly help improve their understanding of good, even if it planting a seed of doubt to look into a topic more in depth then they currently do.