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Imagine that you are observing Plato and Aristotle at Platos Academy arguing over
the Theory of Forms and the Theory of Knowledge. You are a young student taking
notes on the argument.
Resource: Philosophy: The Power of Ideas, pp. 4961
Descartes famously argued that he could not rely on his body, senses, and even his
idea of reality because he did not know if he was dreaming or not. Sometimes, he
wrote, he would think he was awake, only to realize that he was just having a very
realistic dream.
Skeptics say "Nothing can be known." Do you think there can be an objection to this
claim? If so what is it? If not, why not?
Square circles are non-existent things." "No squares are circles." Which of these two
propositions is simpler from the standpoint of a philosophical analysis? Why?
Is pleasure always the ultimate object of a person's desires? Why, or why not?
Do all morally good actions have a single thing in common with each other? Why, or
why not? Is it possible to have moral values without a belief in God? Why, or why
not? Are moral value judgments merely an expression of personal preference, or are
they a cultural artifact? Why do you think so?
Which do you think is more important, individual freedom or the common good?
Why?
Nozick stated, "Any state necessarily violates people's moral rights and hence is
intrinsically immoral." Do you agree with this statement?
Why, or why not?
Marcuse said, "A revolution will come, born of disgust at the waste and excess
of the so-called consumer society." Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why
not?
For this assignment, you will write an outline before you write your paper. Use the
outline as an organizational tool to help you arrange your thoughts logically. Construct
your outline after you have selected your topic and done your initial research.
Are power and riches chains or are they the keys to freedom and happiness? Why do
you think so?
Mencius stated that difficulty and suffering are opportunities to develop independence
and peace of mind. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
As the book notes, a popular bumper sticker reads: "God is coming, and she is
furious." Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions personify God as a male. Would
those religions be fundamentally different if they personified God as a female? Why,
or why not?
Do you think it is possible for different groups to have truly empathetic understanding
of each other? Why or why not?