1. Identify some aspect of U.S. culture and give both idealist and a materialist explanations for it.

The aspect of U.S. culture that I would like to identify is owning firearms.

An idealist explanation would be that people own firearms for the purpose of protecting their families and loved ones as well as providing food for them. An idealist might also agree that firearms in the wrong hands can kill. People who own firearms should act responsibly and keep them locked up.

A materialist explanation might be that people use firearms for personal gains such as collecting. Firearms can also be used for personal gains inappropriately (gangs, bank robbing, etc).

2. Which approach do you think offers the best explanation? Why?

I feel that the idealist offers the best explanation. If people own firearms it should be for the right reasons.

Patty Tejeda