Alma Flor Ada

Questions for Philosophical Discussion
Marissa Saltzman
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The question of stealing:

Juan made his living as a thief, stealing money from others.

1. Is stealing an ok way to make money?
2. If one person has a lot of something, and another person has nothing, is it ok for the poorer person to take from the richer person so that they both have something?
3. Is there ever a time when it is ok to steal?

 

Understanding happiness:

Juan followed Dona Josefa because he wanted to take her gold. He believed that the money would make him happy.

1. Was it the gold that made him happy at the end of the story?
2. How can you tell he was happy?
3. What kinds of things make you happy?
4. How do you know when you are happy?
5. What is happiness?

The meaning of "rich":

Dona Josefa said that she was the "richest woman in the world".

1. What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "rich"?
2. What do you think Dona Josefa meant by the word?
3. Can you be happy if you are poor?
4. Can wealth include things other than money?

The idea of giving:

Dona Josefa gave her neighbors medicine and tea to make them feel better.

1. Did Dona Josefa make her neighbors happy?
2. Is happiness something you can give?
3. Have you ever done something to make someone else happy? How did that make you feel?
4. Is happiness something that can use up?
5. Is it possible to give all your happiness away?

 

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