In the essay "Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism" by Martha Nussbaum, she clearly starts her argument by stating that Americans do not know the basic rights of citizens in other countries and other daily problems. Many Americans are prideful and share a strong sense of national identity, to which Nussbaum infers that Americans believe we are above all other citizens of the world. We need to be taught that we share this world will human beings with citizens of other countries and respect them. Nussbaum says we should not allow differences of nationality or class or ethnic membership or even gender to erect barriers between us and our fellow human beings. Four points she makes to provide support for her purpose of a cosmopolitanism education are: 1)we learn more about ourselves 2)we solve problems that require international cooperation 3)we recognize moral obligations to the rest of the world that are real 4) we make a consistent and coherent argument based on distinctions we are really prepared to defend. In conclusion she refers to Marcus Aurelius statement "one must learn many things before one can judge an other's action with understanding."
In the essay "Education and Cosmopolitanism" by Cynthia Scott, she responds to Nussbaum's in both an understanding and confusion to what Nussbaum is looking for. Scott agrees that we need to become more aware about other countries by being taught in school. But she feels that while teachers emphasize on certain countries, they will have to quickly go through the others, not fully understanding the difference in cultures and fully respect their style of living. Scott states that while "integrating the cosmopolitanism education in a meaningful way collides with the reality of time- and cash-strapped public educational system. She sees it as not effective in separating from a patriotic system. The impact on social structure within a classroom or on a campus would be a concern for how students interact with each other. In conclusion, Scott finds it hard to believe that students would take in a cosmopolitanism education in which they have to change the fundamentals in which they have been accustomed too.
I agree with Scott’s view, she is very practical about the purposed solution. It would have strengthened her point of view if she suggested a solution of her own or improved the given one.
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