Common Good in Aztec Culture
What can we learn from diverse people today and in history about private action for the common good?
Photo Credit: Aztec Book by Jonathan Cohen is licensed under CC by 2.0
Youth learn about the rich Aztec culture and their practice of human sacrifice to the gods. Discussions on the nature of sacrifice explores the concepts of benefits and opportunity cost of specific personal or group sacrifices.
We learn about the ancient Aztec culture in Mexico.
From books and research, young people read about the Aztec Empire practice of human sacrifice, which was seen as a gift to help the community. Discuss the concept of sacrifice for the common good and debate individual rights and community responsibility when taking action for the common good.
When we take action for the common good, we give up something: a little time or money that might have been spent on something else. Youth explore different forms of sacrifice for the common good and answer the question: When is a sacrifice justified and necessary, and when is it too much or a violation of individual rights?