College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business and the Good Society

Discussion Questions for February 27, 1997:

Assigned Reading:

Mutant Message Down Under

Session Facilitators:

Terrina Chicchetti, Sabine Edwards, Marc Raab, Tiffany Volk

1. Does the society of the "Real People" represent a Utopia? If so, what elements are present which satisfy classic Utopian Characteristics? If not, is it a "Good Society" and why?

2. According to the "Real People", the ills of the mutants' society are at the discretion of how we live. (i.e.disease -- living artificial lives (houses, air conditioning, etc.); crime -- having others go without poverty; and destruction of the planet -- if we only use what we need and then gave it back to the environment)
Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, does that mean that you believe our resources would be endless if we lived differently -- and, would this living differently be "good" for everyone? If you disagree, what conclusions do you draw about the planets resources, how they should be used, and how they should be distributed?

3. Taking into consideration your answer to the above question: what does that say about human nature - are we: capable of anything? destructive by nature? a piece of the planetary evolution and have no control of its destiny? perfectable?

4. The "Real People" believe that Divine Oneness planned no suffering to any living creature, except what the creature accepts for itself. Is this the case? Why is there so much suffering?

5. The "Real People" accuse mutants of being fearful, materialistic, and insecure. They say very few actual seconds of their lives are spent developing their "eternal being". Is this so? If so, why?

6. The "Real People" believe that everything has a purpose. "There are no freaks, misfits or accidents, only misunderstandings and mysteries not yet revealed to man. Does everything have a purpose?

7. People's (the mutants) response summed up: 'No one knew these people existed. So what if they're leaving. Who cares. Besides, it's their ideas against ours, and can a whole society of people be wrong?'
Is their extinction really that meaningless? Is there really nothing important to learn from them? Can a whole society of people be wrong?

8. What values would/wouldn't you be willing to give up for someone else? Why or why not if you could gain the same experiences as the author?

9. What stands out as the most lasting impression/message from this book? What significant event / occurrence / message do you believe most as the truth? What significant event / occurrence / message do you believe most false?

10. Could this society exist in the US? In our society could the value of a person be recognized without a holiday?

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