Apathy

As a young teacher, I found myself most concerned with noisy students and high energy classes. I was afraid of having a student act out, or worse, having the entire class revolt and take over my lecture.

Now, instead, my fears are quite different. Surprisingly, I worry a great deal more about students who are apathetic than I do those who are rambunctious. While I remain concerned with the loud and distracting behavior of some students, I believe the apathetic students do more to disrupt learning.

The apathetic student, uninterested in learning or contributing, chooses not to listen, do the reading, ask questions, or participate in group learning.

Instead, you will find them, head phones plugged in, on Facebook, daydreaming, sleeping, and late to class, with an obvious look of indifference.

Loud students might interrupt lessons for a few moments, or even an entire class period. Apathetic students, however, inhibit learning throughout the semester.

This occurs as apathy spreads from student to student; much like a physical disease, but perhaps more infectious.

Apathetic students drain energy from the rest of the class. They change the mood of those around them, especially in activities or group projects. Shy or less confident students are particularly influenced by their apathetic peers. Wanting and willing to participate in class, but unsure of their own abilities, they glance around the room, wondering where their contribution might be received with approval. Seeing only friends who simply do not care about the lecture or course work, they question if or why they should care themselves. Not wanting to be the “know-it-all” or “teacher’s pet,” they draw further into their shells. Eventually, unable to contribute and enjoy the benefits of participation, they lose curiosity and their eyes also glaze over with disinterest.

And so, more than anything, I work to eliminate apathy in my classroom.

Amorality

Similarly, our society has become increasingly amoral, and this concerns me as much as the ever apparent influx of immorality.

The general disinterest and lack of reverence for morality shifts societal ideology on many important issues and places those who value morality in a negative light – seemingly antiquated. For many, morality is a nice idea, good for days gone by – but useless in our time.

Amorality often leads to something far more detrimental as its followers attempt to redefine morality.

Like apathy, amorality spreads as those who do value morality are mocked by those who do not. This shaming often comes through misrepresentations of ideals such as equality, diversity, empathy, and inclusion. Make no mistake, amorality is not “neutral ground.” Instead, it errs on the side of immorality.

One crucial aspect of morality is action. We cannot be moral by merely knowing the difference between what is wrong and what is right. We must care about the difference and, more importantly, we must do the latter. The amoral and the immoral fail to uphold this essential truth – limiting their own potential and lowering the standards of society.

Morals do matter, individually, in families, and in society. Moral relativism serves no purpose but to justify the conscience of those lacking moral action. And so, let us find value in morality. By simply tuning our moral compass, we may enact great change and bless the world.

Points to Ponder

What do the scriptures teach about moral relativism (Ensign, Feb, 2014)?
Isaiah 5:20
2 Nephi 28:22
D&C 1:16
*D&C 101:78
Alma 30
What is your role to ensure our society remains moral?