Transcript Chapter 1 – Exploring Different Ways of Thinking.

Chapter 1 – Exploring Different
Ways of Thinking.
Unit One – Should
Ideology be the
foundation of identity?
Course Description
The principles of liberalism have played a significant role in the
development of modern democratic societies. Developing a
comprehensive understanding of the evolution of modern liberal thought
and the tenets of competing ideologies is important in the development of
active, informed and responsible citizens. This understanding will enable
students to effectively investigate, analyze and evaluate government
policies and actions and develop individual and collective responses to
contemporary local, national and global issues. As such, students will
explore the origins and complexities of ideologies and examine multiple
perspectives regarding the principles of classical and modem liberalism. An
analysis of various political and economic systems will allow students to
assess the viability of the principles of liberalism. Developing
understandings of the roles and responsibilities associated with citizenship
will encourage students to respond to emergent global issues.
What is an ideology?
An ideology..
 is a system of thought based on beliefs and
values that include ideas about how the
world works, how we should live together as
a society, how we should treat one another,
and what society could become in the future.
What is ideology?
Over the centuries, many people have thought about, talked about,
written about the following three questions when thinking about their
beliefs and values:
1. What are humans like, and why do they act the way they do?
2. What is the nature of society?
3. What is our role as individuals in society?
In trying to answer these questions, people create ideologies (systems
of thought based on beliefs and values)
What is ideology?
On the blank side write: ideology
On the lined side: the definition
What factors influence ideology?
Beliefs – the ideas and understandings that a person
holds to be true, often influenced by such things as
one’s culture, language, religion, gender and
worldview.
Values - the ideas and understandings that people
hold to be important or fundamental to who they are
as individuals or members of a group.
Post – it Activity
Collectivism and Individualism
Generally speaking, ideologies of
collectivism place the needs of a collective,
or group, before those of any individual
member of the group.
Ideologies of individualism, however, value
the individual above a whole group.
Identifying the Grey Area
•
•
Controversial issues often have no easy
solution. Seldom is an issue just black or
white, or is someone clearly 100 % right or
wrong.
Sometimes conflicts originate because
individuals and societies are unable or
unwilling to consider the grey area between
two sides of an issue.
Identifying the Grey Area
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After the terrorist attacks of September 11th,
2001 on the United States, often referred to
as 9/11, President Bush said, “you’re either
with us or against us in the fight against
terror.”
He saw the issue as black and white, but was
there a grey area?
If my country needs me, should I sacrifice my life in a war?
But…
Yes
•I
am loyal to my
country and I will
fight to protect it.
•There are rights my
country grants me
that I am willing to
die for
•Sometimes military
force is the only
solution to a conflict.
•Is
the war on our
soil or in another
country?
•If I do not risk my
life, will other
people’s lives be
endangered
because of my
inaction?
•What will the war
accomplish?
•Were there any
other realistic
options?
No
•life
is sacred and
killing another
human being is
wrong
•Everything can be
talked through, even
complex
misunderstandings
between countries.
•Nothing is solved
through violence.
Beliefs, Values, and Identity
Who you are, based on your collective and
individual experiences, creates your identity,
determines your beliefs and values, and
ultimately allows you to embrace ideology.
You then act according to your set of beliefs
and values and your ideology: “you walk your
talk.”
Different beliefs and values fit together like a
puzzle to create your identity.
Puzzle Assignment
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As you explore your beliefs and values in this
chapter, you can create your own puzzle
diagram.
But first we must explore the factors that
influence your beliefs and values.
It is important to remember that these factors
will affect our collective and individual beliefs
and values.
Puzzle Assignment
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
The factors: culture, language, religion,
spirituality, environment and relationship to
land, gender, media, ideology.
Consider how each of these might have
shaped your beliefs and values, and your
identity.
How does Culture influence Beliefs
and Values?
Culture is a combination of beliefs, customs,
practices, and social behaviours of a
particular group of people.
Family and the society in which a person
lives form integral parts of our cultural
experience.
This shared cultural experience may
profoundly influence what ideology an
individual or a group chooses to adopt.
Example of Beliefs

An artist from a rural community will expose
their beliefs and values in their work because
it is part of their identity and how the relate to
the worldview.
Language
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Language and culture play an important role
in shaping each person and each society’s
beliefs and values.
A common language and culture often unite
people.
Language Example
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Because language is important in shaping
our identities, Francophone parents in most
provinces of Canada have fought for the right
to have their children educated in French.
These parents know that their children’s loss
of the French language would mean the loss
of their Francophone identity.
Religion and Spirituality
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A religion is a formalized set of collectively-held
beliefs and practices, linked to social groups and
institutions that centres on the worship of and faith in
a god or gods that tries to explain human existence
and our place in the universe.
Spirituality can be closely tied to religion. Spirituality
is a way of relating to the soul or the spirit, or
perhaps to religious or sacred things rather than
worldly things.
Religion and Spirituality
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In many cases, people’s beliefs and values
originate in a religious or spiritual tradition.
Many people use religious or spiritual values
to decide whether what they believe is good
or bad behaviour.
A famous catholic priest on stated that,
“you are not a human being in search of a
spiritual experience. You are a spirit being
immersed in a human experience.”
Environment and
Relationship to the
Land
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Another factor that may influence your beliefs
and values is your relationship to the land or
the environment.
For example, if you and your ancestors lived
in the same area for hundreds of years, your
connection to the land might be different from
someone who is a newcomer to the area.
Environment and Relationship to the
Land
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As many traditional Aboriginal practices are
dependent on a relationship with the land,
some aboriginal peoples have an
understanding and respect for the
environment and people’s interrelationships
with the land and nature.
Or perhaps it’s a simple as having a special
place where you like to relax, reflect, or
unwind.
Gender
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The way people understand gender is affected by
their experiences, what they believe and value, and
what their society says about gender.
Often times society will create laws about what is
“appropriate” gender-based behaviour.
This can + and – affect the way people express
gender, such as whether they follow traditional or
non-traditional roles or how they express gender
orientation.
Gender - Reflect
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
How do you think men’s and women’s roles
have changed over the last 100 years?
Do you think there are still roles that people
see as being more appropriate for either men
or women? What are they?
Gender
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The specific qualities or behaviours that
make up a gender role vary from one society
to another. They may include particular
beliefs and values such as career choices
that are acceptable for a man or a woman.
To address inequalities and defined roles, a
movement arose called feminism – the
organized struggle for the equality of women.
Media
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Media refers to the tools used to pass along
information and ideas.
There are many types of media such as print media
(books, newspapers, magazines) and
electronic/digital media (radio, television, movies, the
Internet, email, CDs, MP3s, and video games).
Sometimes the words media or news media are
used to refer to the journalists and reporters who
deliver information and opinions about what is
happening in your community, across the country,
and around the world.
Media
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Advertising media is used to describe the many
different ways that individuals, companies, and
organizations promote their products, services, and
ideas.
Many sociologists agree that media outlets have a
strong influence on our beliefs and values.
For example, advertising influences what we buy
and how we see ourselves. Body image for instance
could be seen to be heavily influenced by images in
the media.
Media
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How and what news is reported can also
affect how people interpret world events.
News can present issues from certain points
of view or perspectives that may challenge
our beliefs and values.
Ideology
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How have groups and individuals’ beliefs and values
been influenced by new ideas and ways of thinking?
Sometimes historical expressions of beliefs and
values evolve as philosophers challenge old ways of
thinking and common beliefs, or as scientists make
discoveries and develop new theories.
For example, when Charles Darwin introduced his
theory of evolution, it changed the way many people
thought about where human beings came from and
how different species interact with one another and
their environments.
Reflect and Respond
1.
2.
On a separate piece of paper, respond to
the following questions.
From your point of view, what impact do
images in advertising and entertainment
media have on the self-image and values of
young people?
How much influence does advertising media
have over your consumer choices and your
beliefs and values?
Reflect and Respond
Name:
Date:
Write the questions followed by your
answers.
Make sure to answer using complete
sentences rather than point form.
Hand in to me upon completion
You may not begin working on the puzzle
assignment
Factors Acronym
Let’s work together to create an acronym that
represents the 7 factors that contribute to our values
and beliefs.
Culture
Language
Religion/spirituality
Environment/relationship to the land
Gender
Media
Ideology

Review
Thursday we talked about:
• The 7 contributing factors that influence our beliefs
and values as individuals
• More specifically in terms of ideology we briefly
talked about Charles Darwin and his theory of
evolution.
• When a scientist or philosopher changes their
beliefs, collectively we tend to change ours as well.
Example: 2012 – the end of the world.
Ideology

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Sometimes people begin political
movements simply to influence group’s
and individuals beliefs and values.
Throughout history, people have acted on
their collective or individual beliefs and
values.
Sometimes these actions have shaped
history.
Ideology
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Acting on beliefs and values does not have to
involve revolution or armed conflict.
Some people immigrate to new lands to protect their
values, rather than staying to face persecution.
This was the case for the Hutterites – a religious
group that came to Canada.
Other groups chose to stand up to their government
when it does not recognize the rights of their group
which was the case with the Métis and their leader
Louis Riel.
Ideology
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
Historical or social change can also occur
through political movements.
For example, people might form political
parties, labour unions, or groups that
campaign on specific issues, such as the
group that campaigned for women’s suffrage
– also known as the right to vote and the
Famous Five
The Famous Five
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In 1917, Emily Murphy was appointed as judge in
Alberta – the first female judge in the British Empire.
Male lawyers challenged her authority and declared
that she was not a person under the law.
The Famous Five – Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards,
Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung
too the government of Canada to court asking for a
rule as to whether women were persons.
The Famous five
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In 1928, the Supreme Court declared section
24 to be accurate which stated that “The
governor general shall…summon qualified
Persons to the Senate.”
Section 24 did not state anything about
women.
The 1928 Supreme court decision was
eventually overruled in 1929.

In June 2006, the women
of Kuwait voted for the
first time.

Political analysts
predicted that the
women’s vote would
exert a great influence
on issues such as
corruption, economic
development and
women’s rights.
Kuwaiti Women
Reflect and Discuss
How can political
movements for
change help
shape a society’s
collective belief
or value
regarding what is
“right” or
“acceptable”
Beliefs in Values + Constitution
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What is the constitution?
When Canada was formed in 1867
by the Fathers of Confederation, they
used the phrase, “peace, order, and
good government,” in the
Constitution Act to define the
legislative power of Parliament.
For some Canadians, this this phrase
accurately describes an important
aspect of our collective identity and
“Canadian Culture.”
Beliefs in Values + Constitution
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
An important part of the Constitution
is the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms (1982).
Being a pluralistic society is reflect in
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
because it suggests that we are a
people who believe in seeking
peaceful solutions and working
collectively to address issues.
This is also known as a pluralistic
society – historically it is valued that
everyone’s opinion needs to be taken
into account.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canada is a protective country and the
Charter says so. You will find things like:
- “every citizen has the right to vote in an
election.” (section 3)
- “every individual is equal before and under
the law and has the right to the equal
protection and equal benefit of the law
without discrimination…based on age.”
(section 15)
Balancing Beliefs and Values

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The whole idea of “Who am I?” can be a
highly complex question that includes notions
of both collectivism and individualism which
you communicated in your puzzle
assignment.
Finding a balance of your own interests
along with the interests of others is part of
who a person is.
Balancing Beliefs and Values


A person’s identity is a complex balancing act
between many competing factors: priorities,
cultures, influences, languages, beliefs and
values.
Our balance of these competing factors on
our beliefs and values is known as
“Canadianism”
What factors influence collective and
individual beliefs and values? Sect. 1
In Summary: Collective and individual beliefs
and values are shaped by 7 main factors.
Sometimes these beliefs favour collectivism
and sometimes individualism.
People form individual beliefs and values
that shape their identities. When these
beliefs and values are shared with others,
they become collective.
These beliefs and values are the basis of
various ideologies, or systems of belief.
Section One Summary:
Understanding how people express their
beliefs and values and what this reveals
about their identities will help you consider
the Chapter issue: On which beliefs and
values should my ideology be based?
Chapter 1, section 1 Definitions
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Ideology
Individualism
Collectivism
beliefs
Values
Feminism
Canadianism
7 Factors Acronym
Understanding Ideologies
Section 2 Question for inquiry – what are the
foundations that form an ideology?
In this section…
Themes of ideology Characteristics of
ideology
Ideologies with -ism
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Feminism
Environmentalism
Communism
Liberalism
Functionalism
Positivism
Section 2
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
In the first half of this chapter, you explored
beliefs and values, how they are formed and
how they can shape a person’s identity.
In this section, you will explore how these
beliefs and values relate to ideologies.
Ideologies

Ideologies are
systems of thought
that try to explain
how the social world
works, how we
should live together,
how we should treat
one another, why
we should or should
not care about
society and others,
and how society
ought to be in the
future.
Ideologies
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The formation of ideologies involves the
creation of new ideas and ways of thinking.
Regardless of what ideology we discuss
(feminism, communism, or
environmentalism), each started with a
small group of people who shared a new
way of thinking.
Sometimes people who share common
beliefs and values come to embrace the
same ideology.
Snapshots
One view of what really
makes humans human
is their awareness of
their own existence.
Why do we exist? And
What is the meaning of
life? Are questions
people have though the
ages.
What would your
response be to this
boys statement?
I know how I was born; I want to know
why.
Main themes of ideology


In section two, we will be looking at the
different themes of ideologies. Ideologies can
be grouped according to the theme they tend
to emphasize.
These themes are the foundations on which
people base their beliefs. They include:
1. nation 2. religion 3. class 4. relationship to
the land and the environment.
Main themes of ideology
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The themes of an ideology are those things that
people who believe in ideology care deeply about.
The themes who also suggest which ideas might be
rejected by the people who believe in the ideology.
In some cases, one or two themes might take
precedence. For example, our relationship to the
land and the environment is a predominant theme of
environmentalism.
Nation
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A nation may refer to a recognized country
(such as Canada) or a group that sees itself
as a nation: a group within a common
culture, history, language, customs, and
goals (such as the Métis or Quebecois).
A nation is concerned with sovereignty
(independence), self-preservation, its own
identity, citizenship, citizen participation, and
the rights of its citizens.
For example…
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Sometimes a nation may hold extreme views of its
own rights in the world and these views may conflict
with the views of others.
German Nazis believed in a fascist (dictatorship)
ideology that proposed the rebirth of a nation based
on its racial purity and strength.
In 2006, the House of Commons passed a notion
saying that, “this House recognizes that the
Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada.”
Religion
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Religion is a key theme of some ideologists.
Many religious beliefs and values pertain to ethics
and morality.
Religious observance may or may not play a major
role in people’s lives; however, the basic beliefs of
religion are important because they answer
questions about human nature, the way the world is,
and the way the world should be.
Some states are governed according to religious
beliefs and values, which can sometimes lead to
conflict or wars being fought over religion.
Class – Social class structure

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Social class refers to the
way society is structured.
In our society, class is
usually based on
occupations or the amount
of money people have.
Often people will refer to
the working class, the
middle class, or the upper
class.
Class – Social Class Structure
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Sayings such as “She was
born with a silver spoon in her
mouth,” refers to a person’s
social class.
Communism is an ideology
that proposes that the
working class should rise
against the upper class, so
that ultimately all classes are
removed and people are
equal.
Relationship to the Land/Environment


This theme is
expressed both
philosophically and
practically.
For thousands of
years, people, such
as Aboriginal peoples
have relied on an
inter-relationship with
the earth’s resources
as a part of their
survival and beliefs
and values.
Relationship to the Land/Environment
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The process of
industrialization,
especially in Western
Canada, requires the
earth’s resources.
People who believe in the
ideology of
environmentalism do not
share this view and worry
that we are using up our
resources and damaging
the environment.
Characteristics of Ideology
In these next few slides, we will examine the
characteristics, or distinguishing features, of
ideology. These characteristics of ideologies
include:
-interpretations of history
-beliefs about human nature
-beliefs about society
-visions of the future

Interpretations of History
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History is the story of how we
got to be who we are and of
what society was like in the past.
Just as two people viewing the
same accident will tell police two
different accounts of the
accident, people interpret the
past differently based on their
core beliefs and values.
People who share an ideology,
however, are likely to interpret
the past in a similar way.
Interpretations of History
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A nation interprets its history,
and this interpretation then
becomes part of the nation’s
ideology.
Interpretations of history are
often demonstrated in acts of
patriotism in which citizens
celebrate their history as a
group and share it with the
rest of the world.
For Example…
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During Remembrance Day ceremonies,
Canadians honour our military history and
the men and women who have made
sacrifices on behalf of our country.
A common interpretation of history in our
society is the belief that human beings are
progressing and improving over time.
Some people however question this
notion of progress and view our
technological advances as having
negative consequences.
Beliefs about Human Nature
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We have all seen a news clip or a scene from
a movie that makes us question, “How could
someone do that to another human being?”
History is full of cases of inhumanity, and
violent actions toward others still happen
today.
But history is full of extreme humanity. There
have always been people who have devoted
themselves to helping others.
Beliefs about Human Nature
All groups act based on their ideologies, and
every ideology attempts to answer the
questions:
-what are humans like?
-what should society be like?
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Beliefs about Human Nature
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Thinking of what humans are like and of what
they are capable of is something that people
have done for centuries.
Philosophers, scientists, politicians, religious
leaders, comedians, cartoons, singers,
writers, and so on have all had something to
say about humanity.
Wednesday Agenda
1.
2.
3.
QQ
New slides from Section 2: Influential
philosophers, Beliefs about society, Visions
of the Future
Chapter One Quiz PREP – outline,
summary, and practice.
Influential Philosophers
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Over the centuries, many
people have thought about,
talked about, and written
about human nature and in
doing so, they have
contributed to the
development of ideologies.
Some of these people have
had a more profound impact
on future generations than
others.
Influential Philosophers
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Plato, for instance, is still one of the most
influential philosophers for Western thought –
even over 2300 years after his death.
In the next few slides we will look at three
other philosophers who have had a profound
impact on shaping Western ideologies:
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and JeanJacques Rousseau.
Thomas Hobbes
(1588 – 1679)
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Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher living
during the English Civil War.
The war was a bitter struggle between the king and the
Parliament that ended when King Charles 1 was
beheaded.
These events profoundly impacted Hobbes. He
believed that human nature is characterised by fear,
violence, and dangerous self-interest.
In other words, extreme individualism where people
only look out for themselves and will hurt anyone that
get in their way.
Thomas Hobbes
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Hobbes with his negative view of human nature,
believed that it is dangerous to allow people to be free
to do as they wish and that we all need security more
than we need freedom.
Hobbes’ solution was a society where people give up
their freedom to one person who is responsible for
everyone’s security (a king in Hobbes’ time, or a
dictator). Hobbes did not think it was possible to have
both freedom and security.
John Locke (1632-1704)
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John Locke, another English philosopher,
had a very different view of human nature.
He lived during the Enlightenment period and
his ideas influenced events such as the
American Revolution.
His ideas can be seen in the Declaration of
Independence.
Unlike Hobbes, Locke believed that people
are rational, intelligent, and reasonable.
John Locke
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Most of the people living during his time
believed that power rested in God and the king
(who it was believed was chosen by God to
rule, and therefore had absolute power.)
Locke, on the contrary, believed that the
source of power was people themselves, which
was a revolutionary idea in the 17th century.
Locke believed that individuals possess the
ability to be reasonable and make rational
decisions.
John Locke
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Locke also believed that the other reason
governments exist is to protect life, liberty,
and property, which is why people give up
their natural state of freedom to be part of a
civil society.
Locke believed that any government action
had to be justified by the approval of the
majority of the people in society or popular
consent.
John Locke
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The idea of popular consent is what sets
Locke apart from most thinkers of his time.
In summary, Locke, with his positive view of
human nature, believed in democracy.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher
from Geneva, Switzerland, who was very
interested in the common good.
He believed that people are inherently good
and have been corrupted by civilization and
society.
Most importantly, he believed that humans
are naturally free and are equal in principle.
Famous Words..
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“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in
chains.”
As Rousseau saw it, private property and
ownership of land had led to jealousy and
corruption. People had lost their compassion
for one another, become selfish, and based
their happiness on the opinions of others.
Rousseau
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Rousseau wanted to strip humans of all of
those aspects that he thought were the result
of the influence of society.
He wanted humans to go back to the
characteristics that made humans good and
equal.
He thought that if this could be done, the
most effective and legitimate forms of
government could be determined.
Rousseau
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Unlike Locke, Rousseau was bitterly
opposed to the idea of a representative
assembly (elected democratic
representatives)
Instead, he believed that people should
make laws directly. If this were achieved,
Rousseau believed that people could enjoy
a level of freedom close to what they enjoyed
in the state of nature.
Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau
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These philosophers had very strong views on human nature and
came up with an ideal form of government based on their beliefs.
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Beliefs about human nature are not universal, but it could be said
that every individual in every culture has had beliefs and values
about the basic nature of human beings since the beginning of
time.
Beliefs about society
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A universal question that all
ideologies address is “what is the
nature of society?”
Ideologies are the foundations on
which all societies are structured,
for good or bad, because
ideologies are ways of
understanding how we should
interact with one another.
Beliefs about Society
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Part of examining the nature of society is
determining whether you view it more from a
collectivist or an individualist standpoint.
In a capitalist society like Canada’s, there is a focus
on individual achievement and personal wealth.
These achievements could be perceived as one way
in which all individuals in a society have an
opportunity to succeed, for the common good of all
society.