SUS1501
Assignment 8 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
Back at the Crossroads!
1. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) "The wealth of the few depends upon the poverty of
many." My personal opinion on this statement is most closely described by:
a. So long as I am amongst the few I don't care.
b. This is just not true – the rich are simply more “diligent, intelligent, and above all frugal”.
c. This is just not true – if it were not for the generous wealthy, the poor would be even poorer
than they are.
d. This is absolutely true – there is only so much wealth in the world at any one moment so if one
person has more than their share someone else has to have less than their share.
e. This is absolutely true and given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it.
Choice now: E
Choice in assignment 1: B
Notes: In Assignment 1, I chose option B, thinking that the wealth of the rich was a direct result of their own
effort and frugality. However, after engaging with SUS1501 theories, I’ve come to understand the deeper
systemic and ethical issues surrounding wealth inequality. I now choose option E—“This is absolutely true
and given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it”—because it aligns with both
Rawls’ principle of distributive justice and utilitarian moral philosophy. Rawls’ veil of ignorance challenges
us to design a fair society without knowing our position in it. From this viewpoint, we wouldn’t accept a
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Portfolio Assignment
SUS1501 – Sustainability and Greed
Introduction
My aim in compiling this portfolio was to reflect on the things that have struck me
throughout this crazy module.
My starting point for doing this was to revisit my opinions to the multiple choice
questions which were presented in the Crossroads assignment. I present these
current opinions, together with my original opinions, and some brief notes in the
section entitled: ―Back at the Crossroads!‖
Once I have done this, I draw some key conclusions about this crazy module and
about the things that did indeed strike me.
Back at the Crossroads!
1. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) "The wealth of the few
depends upon the poverty of many." My personal opinion on this statement is
most closely described by:
a. So long as I am amongst the few I don't care.
b. This is just not true – the rich are simply more ―diligent, intelligent, and
above all frugal‖.
c. This is just not true – if it were not for the generous wealthy, the poor
would be even poorer than they are.
d. This is absolutely true – there is only so much wealth in the world at any
one moment so if one person has more than their share someone else has
to have less than their share.
e. This is absolutely true and given how much poverty there is we ought to do
something about it.
Choice now: E
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Choice in assignment 1: B
Notes: In Assignment 1, I chose option B, thinking that the wealth of the rich was a
direct result of their own effort and frugality. However, after engaging with SUS1501
theories, I‘ve come to understand the deeper systemic and ethical issues
surrounding wealth inequality. I now choose option E—―This is absolutely true and
given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it‖—because it
aligns with both Rawls‘ principle of distributive justice and utilitarian moral
philosophy.
Rawls‘ veil of ignorance challenges us to design a fair society without knowing our
position in it. From this viewpoint, we wouldn‘t accept a world where some live in
extreme luxury while others die from hunger. His principle of equality of fair
opportunity emphasizes correcting structural imbalances, making wealth
redistribution not just fair, but necessary.
From a utilitarian perspective, such inequality is unethical because it fails to produce
the greatest happiness for the greatest number. The current system benefits a
minority at the expense of the majority, often through exploitative global labor and
supply chains. Therefore, I now support collective action—through policy, taxation,
and ethical consumption—to reduce inequality and move towards a more just,
compassionate, and sustainable global society.
2. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) ―In order to have the
continued opportunity to express their ‗generosity,‘ the oppressors must
perpetuate injustice as well.‖ (Paulo Freire) My personal opinion on this
statement is most closely described by:
a. This is crazy ‗commie‘ nonsense from Freire – it‘s a disgrace that Unisa
allows this rubbish to appear in its official study material.
b. This is rubbish - if it were not for the essential goodness of the wealthy, the
lives of the poor would be so much worse than they already are..
Assignment 8 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
Back at the Crossroads!
1. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) "The wealth of the few depends upon the poverty of
many." My personal opinion on this statement is most closely described by:
a. So long as I am amongst the few I don't care.
b. This is just not true – the rich are simply more “diligent, intelligent, and above all frugal”.
c. This is just not true – if it were not for the generous wealthy, the poor would be even poorer
than they are.
d. This is absolutely true – there is only so much wealth in the world at any one moment so if one
person has more than their share someone else has to have less than their share.
e. This is absolutely true and given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it.
Choice now: E
Choice in assignment 1: B
Notes: In Assignment 1, I chose option B, thinking that the wealth of the rich was a direct result of their own
effort and frugality. However, after engaging with SUS1501 theories, I’ve come to understand the deeper
systemic and ethical issues surrounding wealth inequality. I now choose option E—“This is absolutely true
and given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it”—because it aligns with both
Rawls’ principle of distributive justice and utilitarian moral philosophy. Rawls’ veil of ignorance challenges
us to design a fair society without knowing our position in it. From this viewpoint, we wouldn’t accept a
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Portfolio Assignment
SUS1501 – Sustainability and Greed
Introduction
My aim in compiling this portfolio was to reflect on the things that have struck me
throughout this crazy module.
My starting point for doing this was to revisit my opinions to the multiple choice
questions which were presented in the Crossroads assignment. I present these
current opinions, together with my original opinions, and some brief notes in the
section entitled: ―Back at the Crossroads!‖
Once I have done this, I draw some key conclusions about this crazy module and
about the things that did indeed strike me.
Back at the Crossroads!
1. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) "The wealth of the few
depends upon the poverty of many." My personal opinion on this statement is
most closely described by:
a. So long as I am amongst the few I don't care.
b. This is just not true – the rich are simply more ―diligent, intelligent, and
above all frugal‖.
c. This is just not true – if it were not for the generous wealthy, the poor
would be even poorer than they are.
d. This is absolutely true – there is only so much wealth in the world at any
one moment so if one person has more than their share someone else has
to have less than their share.
e. This is absolutely true and given how much poverty there is we ought to do
something about it.
Choice now: E
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Choice in assignment 1: B
Notes: In Assignment 1, I chose option B, thinking that the wealth of the rich was a
direct result of their own effort and frugality. However, after engaging with SUS1501
theories, I‘ve come to understand the deeper systemic and ethical issues
surrounding wealth inequality. I now choose option E—―This is absolutely true and
given how much poverty there is we ought to do something about it‖—because it
aligns with both Rawls‘ principle of distributive justice and utilitarian moral
philosophy.
Rawls‘ veil of ignorance challenges us to design a fair society without knowing our
position in it. From this viewpoint, we wouldn‘t accept a world where some live in
extreme luxury while others die from hunger. His principle of equality of fair
opportunity emphasizes correcting structural imbalances, making wealth
redistribution not just fair, but necessary.
From a utilitarian perspective, such inequality is unethical because it fails to produce
the greatest happiness for the greatest number. The current system benefits a
minority at the expense of the majority, often through exploitative global labor and
supply chains. Therefore, I now support collective action—through policy, taxation,
and ethical consumption—to reduce inequality and move towards a more just,
compassionate, and sustainable global society.
2. (YOU MUST WRITE NOTES ON THIS QUESTION) ―In order to have the
continued opportunity to express their ‗generosity,‘ the oppressors must
perpetuate injustice as well.‖ (Paulo Freire) My personal opinion on this
statement is most closely described by:
a. This is crazy ‗commie‘ nonsense from Freire – it‘s a disgrace that Unisa
allows this rubbish to appear in its official study material.
b. This is rubbish - if it were not for the essential goodness of the wealthy, the
lives of the poor would be so much worse than they already are..
