The Disparity Between Intellect and Character by Robert Coles

1. What I believe Robert Coles meant by the term character when he quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Character is higher than intellect” is that a person with good character means a lot more to him than someone with good grades.

2. I, myself have not experienced lack of moral instructions in my college but I am almost sure that I will someday experience that. Yes, I do believe that colleges should do more to encourage the development of moral character on the part of students. The reason I believe this is because it is very important, at least to me, to have moral values, manners & respect for others individuals. It will only make a person stronger, a lot more credible and more likely to have decent, nice, honest people around them. It would make college a lot easier & pleasant for all of the students.

3. I think that the student was overreacting a bit. If I would have been in Robert Cole’s position I would have probably been a bit more aggressive in my answer to her. I would tell her that no one should drive her to quit her job and quit college. You will always find people that are rude, cruel, disrespectful and mean but that should not interfere in your education. I would have told her to just worry about herself and not to let anyone make her quit school.

4. I agree with Aristotle. I believe that ethics is very important so that you are able to know how to respect other people no matter what their skin color is or what they look like or where they come from. It will make all of us a better person in every aspect of our lives.

5. I think that colleges should respond by referring to the law then to your family values. Everyone pretty much knows what’s right and wrong, they just pretend not to. You hear it all the time on the news, magazines, newspapers; crimes being committed all over the world.