Spring 2008 Study Question Collaboration

Let's use this for sharing Study Question Answers. Follow the format below, putting two "=" signs around the date of the study questions you're posting. That will make a nice little table of contents at some point.

Alfino

Study Questions for Jan. 17

Topic: The Nature of Philosophy and Enlightenment

1. What are some of the distinguishing traits of philosophical thought? (ed. by Brittany Fitzpatrick)

Philosophy is using reason to attempt to develop a "big picture" point of view of the universe. Therefore, philosophy never appeals to divine revelation or to tradition when trying to prove theories true. In philosophy, there must be questions and with that comes arguments in order to defend what claims are made. The defense of such arguments further the development of the "big picture" view. The ultimate goal of philosophy is to provide one truthful picture of the universe.

The three key elements of philosophical reflections are as follows:

-we need to know more about the arguments

-we need to know how to construct arguments

-we need to know how to evaluate arguments

2. How do philosophy, myth, and religion relate to each other? Identify both difference and areas of overlap. (ed. by Brittany Fitzpatrick)

Philosophy, myth, and religion all try to make sense of the world. Myth uses stories in order to explain the world. Mythology can often merge into religion when a divine revelation becomes part of the story. Religion, therefore, can closely resemble myth because they both contain stories. However, religious stories have a key difference: they contain a reason why we should believe that they're true. Again, philosophy shares with myth and religion the pursuit of providing a "big picture" view of reality. Additionally, philosophy resembles religion in the sense that philosophers provide reasons for why their pictures of reality are true. But, the difference in philosophy is there is never an appeal to divine revelation or tradition.

*Extra: On page 4 in our thin book "Ultimate Questions: Thinking About Philosophy" there's a good visual aid

3. Do we need to know the truth of all the things we believe in? (ed. by Brittany Fitzpatrick)

We had a class discussion about this question. Some thought yes, we should know the truth in what we believe because to because living in ignorance is undesirable. The example of medicine was brought up in support of this view point--"You want to know that the medicine will work". On the flip side, some said no, you don't need to know the truth in everything you believe. Some people brought up religion and argued that it is enough to simply believe something is true. In addition, knowing the truth is not always positive.

I would like to add one way of looking at this. As you said, some would say that we don't need to know the truth of everything we believe in. The idea of believing something is very tricky. One can certainly believe in something without knowing the truth, but that person should acknowledge that. Faith should never be substituted for knowledge. One can believe something completely unsubstantiated, like God, but that belief is different from actual knowledge. There is, of course, nothing wrong with living a life based on assumptions that can't be proven. Trust is based on a belief in something that can't be known for sure, and trust is essential to meaningful relationships. The point is that beliefs and facts are completely different. We should strive for knowledge, but some things are unknowable. Until we can know everything, faith will have to suffice. TJ

4. What is the difference between philosophy and science? Identify an example of an overlap between the two. (ed. by Brittany Fitzpatrick)

First of all, it must be noted that science was originally a part of philosophy. However, science deals with only a part of reality, not all of it. If we were to mesh each scientific discipline together, we would not be able to obtain a comprehensive rational analysis of the universe. The key difference between philosophy and science is that science obtains information about the world predominately by measurements and experimentation while philosophy analyzes and clarifies complex concepts. However, once the appropriate set of scientific rules/methods are determined, many philosophical questions turn into scientific ones. Still, philosophy has a personal component that science lacks which is that the purpose of philosophy is to clarify your own mind.

5. Summarize Kant's position in "What is Enlightenment?" and give your reaction. Should we value reason in our everyday life in the way Kant suggests? Why or why not?

Kant believes that we should "dare to know." Enlightenment means that we are growing up and learning more things. I believe that we should value reason as Kant suggests. In class we talked about a positive form of reason being scientific breakthroughs is modern medicine. But a negative side that comes from this are super bugs. We can't just stop working to find new cures because of super bugs because there are so many things that we would miss out on. Continuing to learn and grow and try new things is what brings us to Enlightenment.

Study Questions Jan. 22

1. What two kinds of knowledge does philosophy aim at, according to Russell?

According to Russel the two types of knowledge philosophy aims at is [1] unity of knowledge and [2] critical examination of beliefs (this is the enlightenment attitude)

3. Identify some of the "philosophical moments" you and your classmates reported. Do you think it is typical for humans to have philosophical reflections?

Some of the philosophical questions we came up with were...How can you tell when you are dreaming vs. being awake? Do we have a destiny in life and then that gets thrown off path or is our life being thrown off path part of our destiny? It is definitely typical for humans to have philosohical thoughts. Everyone questions life and wants to have the answers. Unfortunately answers are hard to come by and coming up with more answers often leads to more questions.

Study Questions Jan. 24

2. Judging from the failed answers Euthyphro gives, what are some of Socrates' criteria for a good definition?

Socrates idea for a good definition is one that is universal and objective. If you answer him he doesn't want to be able to question the idea any further because there is nothing more you can say on the topic. The problem with this is that the majority of philosophical questions are subjective which is why he has so much trouble getting people who give him answers that satisfy him.

4. What assumptions underline Platonic metaphysics?

The two assumptions are [1] reality is knowable and [2] what is real is what persists.

5. How does Plato use the analogy of judging horses to demonstrate the reasonableness of believing in essences (Platonic Forms)?

Plato uses this analogy to show that people define many things as real by determining how they fit into our ideal view of what something should be. Many people picture a race horse as a big, strong, and powerful horse than can run extremely fast. But if a small scrawny horse walked out with an injured leg we wouldn't think it was a real racehorse. He uses this to show that most people have a generally objective idea of what makes something real based on this idea that people wouldn't think the small horse was a racehorse.

Study Questions for January 29

1. What are some alternatives to Platonic thinking about the real?

Heraclitus: "Everything is flux." This means that your reality is always changing. For example, the stage that you are in in your life is your reality. For us our reality is going to school, studying, and working hard in order to graduate. However for someone else their reality may be the fact that they had a child at a young age and must work to support them. As we grow older our reality will continue to change as well.

Parmenides: "Motion is an illusion." essences vs. properties.

3. How does Plato argue for the "objective alternative" in the Euthyphro question (Euthyphro 10)? How would someone argue for the subjective alternative? (Christina Gardner)

Plato argues for the “objective alternative” in the Euthyphro question (10) by way of his Theory of Forms. Plato’s Theory of Forms asserts that Forms, and not the material world of change known to us through sensation, possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. Thus, Plato is stating that piousness itself is a state of being that is associated with reaching toward the ultimate Form of “Piety”. Piety is an intangible concept that cannot be seen, but is real and helps associate all other components of reality with it. Someone would argue for the subjective alternative by stating the opposite of Plato’s Theory of Forms: that the material world of change is known to us purely through sensation, and that the way we react to the things around us defines what is real and unreal to us. Thus, in the latter example, reality would be subjective.

Study Questions for February 5

1. Identify and evaluate competing interpretive theories about the Apology. (Christina Gardner)

Historical Theory o Many philosophers believe that the Apology dialogue is a historical account of Socrates’ presentation to the court when he was being questioned about his actions. Because Apology is one of Plato’s earliest works, many don’t believe that Plato would have embellished this dialogue, thus making it a factual, historical account.

Deification Theory o Some philosophers also believe that the Apology dialogue was a deification of Socrates, in order to portray him in a God-like manner to honor him for his accomplishments and wisdom.

Tribute Theory o The final theory of Apology is the tribute theory, and it is believed that Apology was written as a tribute to Socrates, to recognize him for his omnipresent wisdom.

2. Summarize and assess Socrates' stated practice, as he accounts for it in the story of the Oracle

In the story of the Oracle we learn that Socrates' find out he is supposedly the wisest man of all. After hearing this he doesn't believe it at first. He sets out to find someone who is wiser than him. As he questions people he comes to decide that he is smarter than other people. The main reason he is smarter is because he can admit when he doesn't know something. He says that a wise person even admits when they are wrong or unsure. I don't think that telling this story is helping out Socrate's case in his trial. Now he seems to be bragging about himself that is is wiser than everyone else.

3. Is it a problem that philosophical practice can make your fellow citizens angry at you? Is that a problem with philosophy or everyone else?

The first thing that should be said here is that we usually use Socrates as the example of people hating a philosopher. All of us read his work, and I think we'd all agree, to some degree, that he was not a nice guy and perhaps is not a good example of how people will react to philosophy generally. Even still, it is a valid question. Some philosophies are not at all pleasing. Just looking at the ones we've discussed, how would you like someone telling you that the only way to enlightenment is through renouncing worldly pleasures? Philosophy asks the tough questions and that is a noble goal even if some of the answers are displeasing. The problem lies with those who refuse to accept these answers. They don't have to agree, but they have to have something better. It is similar to a religion that refuses to question its teachings. If you can't critically examine the most basic assumptions of your being, you're just hiding. TJ Houk

5. Do people do wrong knowingly? (Christina Gardner)

Socrates believes that knowing what is right will result in the desire to do it, even though this feature of our moral experience could be doubted. Socrates is stating that since no human being ever knowingly desires what is bad, differences in their actions must be a consequence of differences in what each individual knows.

Study Questions for February 7

1. What is the geometry demonstration supposed to show? (Christina Gardner)

The geometry demonstration is supposed to illustrate Socrates’ belief that learning is not a matter of discovering something new but rather of recollecting something the soul knew before birth but has since forgotten. Socrates draws a square with sides of two feet long, and asks one of Meno’s slave boys what the length of each side of the square would be if he wanted to double the area of the square that he had just drawn. The boy eventually finds the correct answer, without Socrates actually explaining anything to the boy directly. Since the boy reached this conclusion on his own without any direct teaching, Socrates concluded that the boy must have been recollecting something he already knew.

Study Questions for February 12

2. How might you look at the dialogue "rhetorically" or "literally"? (Casey Schaub)

In terms of the literal meaning of the dialogue, some see it as a report, detailing the death of Socrates and that the people present at the time of his death take Socrates at his word regarding the immortality of the soul. They trust his judgment because they considering him wise. A rhetorical reading of the dialogue would pay more attention to the interaction between the characters within the dialogue in order to establish clues for the arguments. They would argue essentially, that Socrates’ arguments are weak. However, they choose not to push the issue because they don’t want to face the fact that they may be wrong about immortality. They don’t want to admit how little may be known about the soul.

5. Summarize and evaluate Plato's attitude toward the body. (Christina Gardner)

Plato views the body as an obstacle to the true desires and freedoms of the soul. He believes that the body is associated with many physical needs and desires, and it distracts the soul from attaining what it really wants, and it prevents us from fully living our life. Plato believes the body to be selfish and over-bearing. Death, which is the absolute separation of body from soul, is considered the highest degree of freedom to Plato.

Study Questions for February 14

3. How do Stoics and Epicureans draw on a view of virtue to support their theory of the good life? (Christina Gardner)

-Epicureans believe that virtue is a necessary condition for happiness, and that virtue will lead you onto the path of happiness.
-Stoics believe that virtue is happiness.

Study Questions for February 21 (Casey Schaub)

1. Who were the sramana and what is the general cultural context for Buddhism?

The sramana were people who dedicated their lives to finding answers to spiritual questions. The general cultural context for Buddhism is that it is not regarded as a revealed religion. Instead, those who believe in it ground the religion in human experience rather than divine. The basis of the religion is ridding the body of suffering through the use of the four noble truths and the eight fold path. With the aid of these rules people will essentially rid their lives of suffering and reach ultimate nirvana.

2. Explicate and critically analyze the 4 noble truths and 8 fold path in terms of its theory of reality and enlightenment. Does the Buddhist focus on cessation of suffering make sense as a primary goal in the pursuit of enlightenment?

Buddhists believe in the four noble truths: 1) There is suffering 2) Origin of Suffering 3) Cessation of Suffering 4) Path to Cessation of suffering. In addition, they also regard the 8 fold path as essential to enlightenment: Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Understanding, and Right Thought. It is understood that if believers follow the four noble truths and the eight fold path they will reach enlightenment. However, I would have to criticize the Buddhists view of removing all suffering from one’s life. In doing so, I think the Buddhists are doing themselves a large injustice. Enlightenment comes from suffering not from the lack of suffering. In experiencing suffering, humans often come away from the situation with a clearer outlook on things. The suffering has caused them to learn. For this reason, it doesn’t seem realistic to remove suffering from the world.

3. What is paradoxical about liberation, according to Siderits? What is the solution to the paradox?

The paradox of liberation involves the idea that the Buddhists offer countless ways of attaining liberation but they don’t offer information on how to attain this liberation while remaining alive. The paradox states, 1) liberation is inherently desirable, 2) Selfish desires prevent us from attaining liberation 3) In order to attain liberation one must train oneself to live without selfish desires, 4) One does not engage in deliberate action unless one desires the foreseen result of the action. These rules of liberation create the paradox because 3 and 4 show that liberation cannot be attained unless it is desired. However, while 1 says it is okay to desire liberation, 2 states that if we desire liberation we will never attain it. Essentially, while it is okay to desire liberation it will never be attained. Some solutions to this paradox include eliminating 1 altogether or simply justifying with 2 that it isn’t a selfish desire. Siderits suggests indirectly attaining liberation without desiring it. In this way, humans bypass the paradox of liberation because they attain nirvana without desiring to do so.

10. Study Questions for February 28th (Cami McCallum)

How does epistemology relate to the fundamental project of philosophical activity -- the giving and evaluating of arguments?

a. Basic questions: i. What is source of certainty for knowledge ii. What makes something knowledge iii. How do you know that you know

Identify three way in which we commonly use the word know.

a. Propositional/ factual “to know” b. To know how c. Knowledge by acquaintance

How do you distinguish among "reasonable," "unreasonable," and "irrational"?

a. Reasonable- true, plausible, falsehoods b. Irrational- oversimplify, generalize c. Unreasonable- not plausible, unrealistic