Page - 80 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

80 REfLECTIvE COsMOPOLITANIsM 1. People now get around by car instead of on horseback or carriage. 2. People used to eat more home-made food. Nowadays, people eat more pre- cooked food. 3. Humanity now has medicine to cure many illnesses. 4. In the past, clothes were home-made and any patchwork was done at home. Nowadays we buy clothes at shops and make repairs at specialized repair shops. 5. Fifty years ago, it was quite usual to find several generations of the same fa- mily living under the same roof. Nowadays, it is not as common. 6. Fifty years ago there was no legislation on Human Rights. Now, there is. 7. A hundred years ago, very few girls went to high school and hardly any went to university. 8. Fifty years ago, divorce was illegal in Spain. Nowadays, the number of divor- ces is higher than the number of marriages. 9. Some years ago, corporal punishment at school was legal. Nowadays, corporal punishment is not permitted. Look for examples of improvement and decline by talking to your elders. Activity/Discussion plan: Different customs Participants take a couple of minutes to think individually about examples of habits, customs or traditions they practice. Then, they share their ideas in small groups. Each group writes (at least) six of their ideas on pieces of paper – using a different piece of paper for each idea. They then share their ideas as if brainstorming, and stick their pieces of paper on a large chart (which you have previously prepared) under one of the columns. Traditions, customs, habits that several Traditions, customs, and habits cultures have in common exclusive to a particular culture Always putting your keys in exactly the same place Giving up your seat to older people in public transport Not working on Sundays 1. Are there any customs that came up in more than one group? 2. Are there any customs which are not the same, but which could be seen as analo- gical similar to customs in other groups? Using the examples given, fill in the following chart. Habit, custom How does it help? What does it prevent or impede? 1. Is it possible for a habit to be good for some people and bad for others? If so, would it be a good or a bad habit? 2. Is it possible for a habit to be good for everyone?