Plan for a philosophy discussion - primary years, secondary

The Zebra Crossing - an example of mutual obligation

1. Brainstorm

  • What happens at a zebra crossings?
  • What has to happen at it?
  • Why do we give preference to walking over driving, etc.?
  • Do you have to ask permission to cross at a crossing? (well yes and no)
  • How do you indicate you want to cross? (stepping out, waving, being definite, moving as a group, etc.)
  • How would a pedestrian abuse this right?
  • How would a driver abuse this duty?

2. Introduce and define terms:

  • a social gift, recognition of one's importance as a human being
  • mutual obligation
  • a "structured ethical fact" - situation where rules are laid down in anticipation, rights are delineated, procedures mapped, given a protocol to follow

3. List other such situations

  • other road rules; level crossing; pedestrians on cycle paths
  • laws, court
  • Customs at airport
  • elections

List less structured routines

  • theatrical drama
  • church service
  • birthday party, wedding
  • rituals - beginning of Grand Final, Opening the Olympics, etc.
Outcomes
ability to brainstorm together with a purpose
ability to understand an abstract term
ability to articulate implications, connections,
ability to apply it
greater understanding of our social obligations
nexus between rights and responsibilities
enhanced awareness of what it means to be a civilised society.
 
© By G. B. Smith 2001. From "On the ethics of pedestrian crossings: or Why 'mutual obligation' does not belong in the language of neo-liberal economics" Meanjin 4, 2000, 27-37.
Student Worksheet 2001
 
The Social Gift, the Honourable Society and the Nature of 'Mutual Obligation'
 
Read the following account and generate some questions for our discussion:
 
Ali Atreeck was a Lebanese factory worker and artist who migrated to Australia from Beirut in the late seventies. He died in 1999 aged 53. Here is an extract from an interview with writer Ghassan Hage.
 
AA: I arrived in Sydney in 1979. I was half mad when I arrived but they (Immigration) didn't know . . . I used to love crossing Beamish Street!
 
GH: What do you mean?
 
AA: Yes I was often found crossing the street over there near the bank (vaguely points in the direction of Beamish Street). I developed a liking for pedestrian crossings (laughing)! I spent hours crossing them and crossing back again.
I loved the moment the cars stopped for me! It made me feel important! I thought it was magical! Can you imagine that happening in Beirut!
My family joked that I didn't want to leave Australia because of the pedestrian crossings. . . Here no matter what, your honour is protected, you are a human being.
 
Comment: Ali experiences magical time at the crossing. The magic is not only due to the unimaginable idea of cars stopping for a pedestrian. Magic is also a kind of buzz generated from the moment of recognition Ali gets from cars stopping for him. This is what makes him feel important. This comes not from his social status but comes from his very existence as a human being. The crossing offers this moment of recognition. It is one of the 'social gifts' society offers its members.
 
Pedestrians and drivers negotiate pedestrian crossings in a variety of ways:
  • the driver who stops for a pedestrian no matter what (unless they are rushing someone to a hospital)
  • some drivers see crossings as places to compete with pedestrians over who gets to cross first
  • there are matter of fact drivers who expect to be thanked
  • there are drivers who don't see pedestrians until it is too late
  • drivers who yield either grudgingly and gracefully
  • there are pedestrians who cross arrogantly, despising the car and its driver
  • some pedestrians rush out demanding obedience come what may
  • crowds of pedestrians sometimes expect their rights to be observed
  • timid pedestrians who put one foot out then hesitate, thereby infuriating drivers who don't quite know what they will do next
 
A pedestrian crossing is a structured ethical fact, where the dominant (the possessors) are required by law to yield to the weak (non-possessors of that space). It is really society's gift to the pedestrian and an example of mutual obligation we have to one another as citizens.
 
Some possible question starters:
  • What happens when the ritual is not observed?
  • Are we less honourable?
  • Do we diminish ourselves as ethical people?
  • Do we erode trust in society and maybe see the next driver the next time as an enemy?
  • What other things make us feel important?
  • What is mutual obligation?

G. Smith 10 April 2001, based on an article by Ghassan Hage "On the Ethics of Pedestrian Crossings: or why 'mutual obligation' does not belong in the language of neo-liberal economics" Meanjin 59, 4,(2000), 27-37..

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