Morality versus Competition
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A reading of ToynbeeÆs (2004) Challenge and Response and OÆBrienÆs (1999) The Things They Carried demonstrates that morality and competition engage in a symbiotic relationship in which there is little chance for moral behavior absent the challenge of competition. Toynbee (2004) asserts that ôAn encounter between two superhuman personalities is the plot of some of the greatest dramas that the human imagination has conceivedö (3). These competitive encounters may or may not lead one or both of the actors to behave in a moral fashion. For example, the competitive encounter between the Serpent and Adam and Eve does not lead to moral behavior and, thus, represents the Fall of man. Likewise, OÆBrien (1999) maintains that only the competitive, us-versus-them, life or death engagements of war lead to or do not lead to moral outcomes. This analysis will compare and contrast ToynbeeÆs and OÆBrienÆs writings with respect to this struggle of morality versus competition.In OÆBrienÆs (1999) The Things They Carried, the author maintains that faced with competition of a life and death nature there is little morality illustrated in combat. OÆBrien (1999) puts the lie to the belief that such competitive situations evoke moral behavior among combatants. As the author writes, ôAll of us, I suppose, like to believe that in a moral emergency we will behave like the heroes of our youth, bravely and forthrightly, without thought of personal lo
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Approximate Word count = 954
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)
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