Nacirema Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 There's a question that I've been trying to find the answer for in my personal life, so first, quick background introduction. The college I attend is essentially an off-shoot of another college which has a need for a student worker, and because someone who worked there had recommended based off of my past work, they asked for a resume. I submitted one, and I got a call a few days ago that they want me to come on board as a student worker. I was thrilled, but then I realized/remembered something: the college is a public college. So, I'm now trying to sift through an ethical dilemma. If I take the job after all, am I being immoral? Or does this fall under the same idea as scholarships and attending public universities in the first place? Basically, as long as I don't plan on heading up a government branch and making that my permanent place of employment/compromise my ideals, does that make the action non-evil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidOdden Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 It is immoral to advocate initiation of force to subsidize education, medicine, development of pharmaceuticals or consumer electronics, manufacture of cars, and the list goes on. It is not immoral to work for the government, unless the job is itself to initiate force against innocents. The fact that the government has insinuated its tentacles everywhere does not mean that you must stop living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhthomps Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) I am interested in other's thoughts about this topic. In the next year I will start work on my master's in education, my undergrad is in nuclear engineering. I aspire to found a private school, but from my analysis the best job in association with my values is teaching secondary high school (physics) for a number of years. I had an unrefined/casual conclusion similar to Odden's, that as long as I wasn't the police or lawmaker forcing the school attendance, I could teach at that school and still live in accordance with morality. Am I in denial? Edited February 18, 2009 by dhthomps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherryTX Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I don't think either is an "immoral" option. Nor would I think it would be evil for someone to work for a public school (K-12, for example). I agree with David's reasoning on this. In neither case are you trying to force others to pay for your education, or you working at the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidV Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I don't think either is an "immoral" option. Nor would I think it would be evil for someone to work for a public school (K-12, for example). However, you should consider supporting private schools by choosing it over a government school. I'm sure there are other benefits to not working in a socialist industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mala Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 David's right. I believe Ayn Rand once spoke to this directly, saying something to the effect of "proponents of public schooling have no right to use it. Those who oppose it, have." The same applies to government grants, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhthomps Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 However, you should consider supporting private schools by choosing it over a government school. I'm sure there are other benefits to not working in a socialist industry. The moral advantages of working at a private school are outweighed (in my opinion) by the average pay being significantly less at private schools. As a side there are some private schools that pay well more than a public school, and it is my eventual goal to find employment at such an institution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tric Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 The schools already exist and you do pay for them. It would be like asking if it is moral to drive on the roads, Or to accept a social security check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherryTX Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 The schools already exist and you do pay for them. It would be like asking if it is moral to drive on the roads, Or to accept a social security check. Wow - that is a great analogy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacirema Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I was thinking this would be the case, but I just wanted to check my reasoning. It's good to know I arrived at the right conclusions. Also, that was a great analogy from Tric. I'll have to remember that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrevux Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 I feel no moral hindrance about my work at Georgia Southern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.