ASSIGNMENT What is it that makes some human artifacts art (for example, a painting or a piece of music), while others (for example, the mass-produced classroom chair you are sitting in) are not art? Is a copy of a great painting itself a work of art? In what sense is art an imitation of reality? […]
Do you think that patriarchy (rule by men) and racism are institutionalized in Western philosophy and culture? Why do you think so, or not?
Cultural and Social Do you think that universal truths underlie all religious belief? Do you think that the different religious traditions and their different views are incompatible? Why or why not? Do you think that patriarchy (rule by men) and racism are institutionalized in Western philosophy and culture? Why do you think so, or not? […]
What makes one culture different from another? How is it possible to translate a practice or a belief from one culture into another?
Philosophy, Sex, Race, and Culture Do you believe that men and women think differently? How do you know? If so, to what do you attribute the difference—nature, education, or choice? Do you believe that members of different races think differently? How do you know? If so, to what do you attribute this difference— nature, education, […]
Explain, should shelter for the homeless be provided at government (that is, taxpayer) expense? Should this be undertaken at the federal, state, or local level?
ASSIGNMENT In what kind of society would you prefer to live? A large urban society; a small rural society; some safe suburb; a bustling commercial city; a quiet, more or less homogeneous town in which people more or less share the same values; a multiethnic neighborhood with many different peoples? Do you believe in the […]
Under what circumstances, if any, is it permissible to lie? What does your answer indicate about the justification of the principle that one ought not to lie?
Friedrich Nietzsche and the Attack on Morality What is your conception of the good life? What goals or principles are primary? What are the roles of success, wealth, freedom, and friendship? Are they ends or means? If they are means, how do they lead to the end in question? What qualities do you consider to […]
Do you believe that a morally good person will, at least in normal circumstances, also be assured of being a happy person? Why or why not?
Morally good person We sometimes say that to be a good person, one must be “true to oneself.” Do you think this is so? Give examples. Do you believe that a morally good person will, at least in normal circumstances, also be assured of being a happy person? Why or why not? If a sadist […]
Define freedom in your own terms, specifically outlining those aspects of yourself that you consider the basis of your own conception of “acting freely.”
ASSIGNMENT Define freedom in your own terms, specifically outlining those aspects of yourself that you consider the basis of your own conception of “acting freely.” To what extent does your conception include playing roles and interacting with other people? To what extent do other people limit your freedom? To what extent can you be really […]
Describe yourself as a character in a novel. Describe the gestures, postures, revealing habits, characteristic word phrases you use.
ASSIGNMENT Describe yourself as a character in a novel. Describe the gestures, postures, revealing habits, characteristic word phrases you use. Try to imitate yourself, by way of parody. What kind of person would you describe yourself as being? Explain who you are to a visitor from another planet. Who are you? Compare the descriptions you […]
Explain. Suppose a friend were to challenge you, “How do you know that 2 + 2 = 4?” How would you answer?
Scientific answer Some of the information you have been given in your courses in school is, inevitably, not true. How would you start to prove to yourself that all of it is not false? Suppose a friend were to challenge you, “How do you know that 2 + 2 = 4?” How would you answer? […]
Give a general description of God, noting those characteristics without which you would not be willing to use the word “God.”
General description of God Give a general description of God, noting those characteristics without which you would not be willing to use the word “God.” If you don’t believe in God, say with some precision what it is that you don’t believe in. If you believe that there is a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, […]