phil paper

CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS

6

CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS

CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS

Lucy Rowell

Professor BONKOFSKY

PHIL 210

10/11/17

Introduction

When one is researching or collecting information on a picked issue, one of the best virtue is to always resist any bias in regards to one's point of view. In critical thinking, engaging one another is a biggest paramount trait, this is usually called the believing game. The game entails considering or making an effort of believing reasons behind opposite view in a hand-picked issue. My opinions on this essay of whether we should allow school uniforms when schooling.

Select one (1) of the approved topics from the  www.procon.org  Website and state your position on the issue.

The subject I selected was on school uniforms; I am all for students wearing school uniforms. I think that it was the best decision that the school board could have made by enforcing students to wear school uniforms. School uniforms cut down on crime in schools, and it also assists with students getting a better education because they are not worried about what the next student is wearing. It gives the students’ time to focus on their education; it also takes the pressure off of parents because they don’t have to worry about buying lots of clothes for their children or finding them something different to wear every day (Elbow, 2006).

From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section - whichever section opposes your position.

Three premises under Con section that oppose my position are the following:

School uniforms restrict students' freedom of expression.

School attires do promote conventionality over individualism.

School uniforms in schools do challenge the assurance of an education that’s free by commanding extra cost on peoples (https://school-uniforms.procon.org/, 2006).

For each of the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these "believing" questions suggested by Elbow:

School uniforms restrict students' freedom of expression. 

What's interesting or helpful about this view?

The remarkable thing in this observation is that it’s not accurate; students can still express themselves when wearing uniforms to school. They can do different hairstyles, they could have vibrant attitudes, and they also can stand out as high achievers.

What would I notice if I believed this view?

I sign that I didn’t have an open mind about the freedom of expression. Uniforms don’t have anything to do with how a student expresses.

In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?"

I don’t trust under any conditions that the idea of school uniforms restrict a student from the freedom of expression. There are so many ways a student can express themselves while wearing a uniform.

School uniforms promote conformity over individuality.

What's interesting or helpful about this view?

The exciting thing about school uniforms promoting conformity is that it’s true because they are usually complying with set rules, values, and laws put in place by the board of the school.

What would I notice if I believed this view?

In the conformity part of this view, I trust it, but I am against the individuality part. Uniforms don’t have anything to do with a student’s individuality. People’s personalities make them individual.

In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?"

The idea of someone believing that a uniform defies someone’s individuality is absurd. Some clothes are different, but the individual makes the clothes.

School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.

What's interesting or helpful about this view?

There is nothing useful concerning this opinion. The most thing interesting thing about it is that school uniforms don’t have anything to do with the promise of free education. The families I have come in contact with love the idea of their children wearing uniforms because they can save money. Most people who send their children to private schools have to pay tuition and uniform expenses. The amount of money a parent would spend on regular clothes is far more expensive than buying uniforms.

What would I notice if I believed this view?

I would sign that this whole uniform debate should not even be an issue. There are more severe issues that are going on in schools such as; education, “No child left behind” where children are being passed from grade to grade without having to do their work. Some children are even graduating from high school and don’t have a clue about the education they didn’t receive.

In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?"

Under no circumstance is the statement above true. You have to pay for something in this world; nothing is free. If you attend public schools, your education is free, but your parents have to pay for your uniforms. So many children have to wear uniforms to school now, that they are inexpensive (Elbow, 2006).

In conclusion, School uniforms always instill pride in a student, every student equally identifies with the others and the school feeling proud being associated with their school. Uniforms ensure that all students share the same field regarding education and classes. Students in classrooms or outside always have easy moments doing their required tasks when they are in standard uniform.

References

Elbow, P. (2006). The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful. https://www.procon.org.

https://school-uniforms.procon.org/. (2006). Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?