Pater Familias

Theories, observations, and articles, by Philip Schaefer · All posts · Categories

WHEN MY LIMITED STOCK OF VIRTUE WAS RECOGNIZED.

March 29, 2010 at 5:03 PM · Uncategorized

WHEN MY LIMITED STOCK OF VIRTUE WAS RECOGNIZED. Kids, I think you know the story of how I earned my “C” in conduct in fifth grade. A “C” was considered a low grade—at least in conduct— even before grade inflation. My teacher was the first man to teach in my elementary school, and he had been given—the poor man—all the most active boys. The teacher explained to my mother that he believed that effort should be rewarded rather than results. A student who had little talent for math could get an A with diligence and improvement. And, he said, it was on that reasoning that he was able to bump my conduct grade up to a C. An early example of compensatory ethics.

2 comments

Dick Weisfelder April 2, 2010 at 2:27 PM

What did Elmer get?

Phil April 2, 2010 at 11:02 PM

Also a C. Same reasoning.