We Are What We Do--Understanding Our Human Values
Description
We are our values--but what are they? Are they based on our self-centered assumptions, on what we think that God wants, or on what we think is best for society? In recent elections have the people voted for values that will make their lives better? Have they voted for the people who will make society better? Will the Supreme Court make the best decisions on health care and abortion? With every American owing over $80,000 dollars on the $25 trillion dollar national debt, is there a way out? Will Americans keep voting for reduced taxes-- with the bill for the taxes continually being added to the national debt? With the $260 billion in interest that Americans pay annually to our creditors, like China and Japan, could that money have been better spent on infrastructure? But we don't like to pay taxes! Why do Americans pay 40% more for healthcare than any other country? Why does America have the 37th best health care system?-- the worst of any developed country?
Why are so many countries happier, less corrupt, and with better democracies? Is America's poor education system making Americans more acceptive of propaganda?
Our values invade every facet of our lives. Should we try understand them--and US?
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Person
Dr. O'Connor is a native of Los Angeles--having grown up in the "ghetto" of South-Central LA. His parents had eighth grade educations. His father died when the author was eight years old. This forced the family onto the welfare rolls while his mother went to school to learn clerical skills.
Dr. O'Connor's university education was at UCLA where he earned a BS and Master's degree and did two years of doctoral level work. He then changed his major and his university, gaining his doctorate at the University of Southern California--in philosophical and social foundations of education.
His interest in travel led to living and teaching in New Zealand, India, Canada and the Netherlands, culminating in a twenty year residence in Norway.
His experience in various cultures has prompted many of the ideas and questions he presents in the book.
