<p>"A better understanding of other people contributes to the development of moral virtues. We shall be both kinder and fairer in our treatment of others if we understand them better. Understanding ourselves and understanding others are connected, since as human beings awe all have things in common" ---> Do we need other people in order to understand ourselves?</p>
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<p>The quote no man is an island is usually used in context of self-reliance and the impossibility of physically existing without other people. But this quote can also be extended to include humanitys emotional and psychological need for companions to really live a full life. Everyone needs someone else to provide us with the obstacles that would help one gain and determine ones character. More so, these people can help one understand oneself better. This claim can be supported by various examples in literature.</p>
<p>In Shakespeares Macbeth, Macbeth committed regicide to gain the crown for himself. He was prompted by the witches prophecy, when he was enlightened of the fact that the kingship is supposedly part of his future. At first he was only mildly tempted; he was debating with himself whether he should act upon this knowledge and do something to hasten the events that would lead to him becoming king. But then after he wrote to his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the prophecy, Lady Macbeth made the decision for him and told him they must act upon a plan that would secure the crown for Macbeth. Macbeth simply succumbed, and in this specific instance it can be perfectly seen that Macbeth doesnt have much will power to remain honest in the face of the promise of great power. Without the witches, Macbeth wouldnt have had the ambition to become king, and without Lady Macbeth, he would not have the courage to actually commit regicide. In fact, after the kings murder, Macbeth was visibly shaken and perhaps even regretted committing the crime, while Lady Macbeth remained rational and in control. Macbeths character was only fully revealed when depicted with the choices he made as he was influenced by the people around him. Without such opportunities given by the other characters, Macbeth would perhaps not see the side of him that is perfectly capable of committing atrocious crimes for the sake of power.</p>
<p>Reflecting on the events that led to Macbeths downfall, I can better understand how circumstances, whether positive or negative, directly affects the kind of people we become. In Malcolm Gladwells book entitled Outliers: The Story of Success, he tackled the question on why Asians are usually better in Math and Science. He attributed this skill to the culture of the Asians, Chinese people in particular, of working in the rice fields. These farmers wake up at dawn and work for the entire day making sure the irrigations and ditches arent flooding the crops, that the muddy soil is not too hard, that the weeds that could choke the crops are uprooted, etc. while the western world was enjoying the benefits of the Industrial Revolution, where much work is passed on to the machines, Asians were still carrying out their tradition of working by hand. These circumstances and the persistence of tradition contributed to the Asian culture of being very hard workers. It has been ingrained in them not to rely on modern technology in doing their work.</p>
<p>These examples show how understanding other people can help us better understand ourselves. We all need other people to be part of the circumstances that would help us define ourselves better.</p>
<p>(Yes it did fit the 2 pages alloted in the BB ... filled them to the very end :D. And I used up the entire 25 minutes, maybe extended by a minute/few seconds)</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>