Many of us might remember the title of a popular book based on an age-old question, Why do bad things happen to good people? An equally important question might be, Why are bad things done by good people? It’s a puzzling question that has been tackled by evolutionary science and psychology as mapped out in Richard Wrangham’s book “The Goodness Paradox” (suggested but not required), as well as by nearly every religious tradition, resulting in a number of interesting viewpoints. We will explore some of those viewpoints and perhaps in doing so we just might gain some insight into this age-old problem, and perhaps in the process some idea as to how we can live out this paradox in favor of the nice over the nasty in our own lives and times!

CLASS LEADERS:   PAUL DOHERTY and STEVE PIKER

STEVE PIKER is an anthropologist with fieldwork in Thailand and the US. He has spent 44 years at Swarthmore College and has offerred many courses at four of Maine senior colleges. His career long interests are human evolution and religion. 

Paul Doherty is an armchair theologian with experience in music, broadcasting, and ministry. He has also been teaching for several years at two Maine senior colleges, including South Coast.

Wednesdays   April 23 2023   -   May 28, 2023   1-2:30

6:00 News troubling? Think the culture’s coarse? Our moral compass lost? What are our own personal core values?  How do we arrive at them? A review and discussion of how to sustain a civil society in the realm of social harmony and fairness. Contemporary issues (social welfare, addiction. parental rights, education and aging well) viewed against a consideration of the methods for ethical decision-making. Recognizing ethics dilemmas in everyday life (whether right vs. wrong or right vs. right), let’s all discover if we’re ethically fit!

Lorraine Masure, an experienced instructor, has led senior college courses across four campuses, exploring philosophies and themes expressed through the transformative power of music and lyricism. In today's world, a deeper examination of how we live—and the role of ethics—has never been more essential. Drawing from Rushworth M. Kidder’s "How Good People Make Tough Choices", this discussion offers an invaluable framework for recognizing, understanding, and resolving life’s most challenging decisions. Join us and share your own perspectives!

Eight (8) Thursday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00, April 24 to June 12.