Why does Socrates hold that having psychic justice that is, a properly harmonious soul ensures that a person will only perform morally just actions (and refrain from doing anything unjust)? Is Socrates correct? Defend your answer.
Category: philosophy
Glaucon’s first objection
State and evaluate Socrates’ reply to Glaucon’s first objection, which says that justice is no more than a compromise (i.e., to refrain from doing injustice in order to avoid suffering injustice oneself). (NB: Glaucon’s first objection begins at Republic 358e).
Nature loves to hide
Interpret Heraclitus’ famous statement: “nature loves to hide”. What can this tell us about nature? How could this interpretation influence our approach to environmental ethics?
Social Science – Philosophy
Remember – these journal questions require more thinking than writing. Think about exactly what you are asked to do, and then write as economically as possible.
Briefly answer each of the following prompts. For all instances where you are required to provide a definition, do not copy definitions from the text. Use your own words.
Self-Regulation
The textbook mentions the skill of self-regulation. How do you define this term? You may want to review Chapter 2 (to review critical thinking skills) before your write out your definition.
Sytem-1 and System-2
Define System-1 and System-2 thinking in your own words.
Give an example from your personal or work life where you would use each of them, explaining why each is appropriate to the situation in which you use it.
Heuristics
Define “heuristic” in your own words.
Give an example of a heuristic might be used in your personal or professional life and briefly show how it could have a positive or negative effect.
Do not use examples found in the text.
Dominance Structuring
Explain the term “dominance structuring” in your own words.
Is dominance structuring a positive or negative attribute of critical thinking? Explain.
Use examples if that is helpful to your explanation.
Cognitive Bias
Briefly examine what part you think mastery of facts and understanding of data have in avoiding cognitive bias in System-1 thinking.
Kant’s famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative
Kant’s famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative reads, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” Kant taught morality as a matter of following maxims of living that reflect absolute laws. “Universal” is a term that allows for no exceptions, and what is universal applies always and everywhere. Don’t forget about the second formulation of the categorical imperative which states, “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.” It is just as important.
For the initial post, address one of the following sets of questions:
What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate, such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and so forth?
Elaborate in detail the ethical positions arrived at by using the Kantian categorical imperative relative to the long standing debate surrounding the death penalty or abortion. Argue the ethics from the point of view of the prisoner or from the fetus
Evaluate the ethical positions in part two. You will want to detail whether they are convincing, logical, correct, consistent, etc.
Caesar Augustus famously claimed, “I found [Rome] a city of brick, but left it of marble.”
Caesar Augustus famously claimed, “I found [Rome] a city of brick, but left it of marble.” Augustus began a series of major building projects within the Roman Empire that would be continued by later Emperors.
Describe and discuss the impact of Imperial Rome upon the development of architecture. Choose one major building project or monument and discuss the significance of the work. You may consider the aesthetic, technical, or lasting influence of the work. Make sure to examine the historical context or any notable motivations of the emperor who inaugurated the work.
Select one Emperor or Monument
Do initial research into work or Emperor. Pay attention to the critical reception of the work. What makes it notable
The motivations for its construction?
Its lasting significance within the western tradition?
Technological advances or achievements that made it possible?
Aesthetic Considerations
Choose only one or at most two of these and focus your research there.
Make sure you understand the historical context surrounding the construction of the work you choose. Is there anything happening in Rome or with this emperor that is worthy of note?
Review the Tips for Writing for Dr. Grant on the course Bb site.
NOTES ON STRUCTURE
You paper should be persuasive, and as such:
Your paper should have a clear thesis.
Tell the reader specifically what your argument is and what you will be trying to convince them of.
Please do NOT state your thesis in the form of a question.
Support your argument.
Use examples from Wordsworth’s poetry, but DO NOT provide extensive summaries.
Assume the reader is familiar with Wordsworth’s works.
You are free to find and use appropriate critical sources
Have a clear conclusion
This should outline what you have attempted to achieve.
SOME THOUGHTS
Your paper should be formal in nature.
CITE your research!
Avoid contractions
You may use the first person, but be careful to use it appropriately.
Avoid making grand statements that can be difficult to prove.
Back in the day
Everybody knows
Everybody believes
Avoid clichés
Kant’s Ethics and Our Duty
Kant’s famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative reads, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” Kant taught morality as a matter of following maxims of living that reflect absolute laws. “Universal” is a term that allows for no exceptions, and what is universal applies always and everywhere. Don’t forget about the second formulation of the categorical imperative which states, “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.” It is just as important.
For the initial post, address one of the following sets of questions:
What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate, such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and so forth?
Elaborate in detail the ethical positions arrived at by using the Kantian categorical imperative relative to the long standing debate surrounding the death penalty or abortion. Argue the ethics from the point of view of the prisoner or from the fetus
Evaluate the ethical positions in part two. You will want to detail whether they are convincing, logical, correct, consistent, etc.
The Elements of Moral Philosophy
Facilitated Communication and the Power of Belief
Norton, Lawrence. “Facilitated Communication and the Power of Belief: How Time Magazine Got It Wrong.” Reader’s Choice: Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing. 7th ed., edited by Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann, Alexandra MacLennan, and Jamie Zeppa, Pearson, 2013, pp. 486–492.
- Read the essay and use one of the active reading techniques, SQ4R or Reading Inventory. Document your active reading, and submit your notes. For those steps usually done “in your head” (such as recite), write down briefly what you did in the step. Note: if you use a Reading Inventory, when you reach “rereading,” only answer the questions from the first three bullets of “rereading” listed in the Reading Inventory table (Reader’s Choice 41). Note: you may photograph or scan your active reading notes and include them in your assignment document.
- Create an outline to help you make an accurate summary of the author’s arguments. Identify the specific kind of argument being made, the subarguments, the assumptions, the critical details, and the important examples.
- Recall that Unit 4 demonstrates outlining techniques. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material. Create an outline that sketches your critical review essay on the author’s essay (Unit 9). Include what you think is most important from the summary for your critical review, and apply the standards of evaluation (Part B, Units 6, 7, 8, and 9) that you think are most appropriate. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.
- Write a complete rough draft critical review essay (1000–1250 words) based on the outline you completed in question 3. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.
Giving Up the Fight
Lamothe, Jenn. “Giving Up the Fight.” Reader’s Choice: Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing. 7th ed., edited by Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann, Alexandra MacLennan, and Jamie Zeppa, Pearson, 2013, pp. 125–128.
- Read the essay and use one of the active reading techniques, SQ4R or Reading Inventory. Document your active reading, and submit your notes. For those steps usually done “in your head” (such as recite), write down briefly what you did in the step. Note: if you use a Reading Inventory, when you reach “rereading,” only answer the questions from the first three bullets of “rereading” listed in the Reading Inventory table (Reader’s Choice 41). Note: you may photograph or scan your active reading notes and include them in your assignment document.
- Create an outline to help you make an accurate summary of the author’s arguments. Identify the specific kind of argument being made, the subarguments, the assumptions, the critical details, and the important examples.
- Recall that Unit 4 demonstrates outlining techniques. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material. Create an outline that sketches your critical review essay on the author’s essay (Unit 9). Include what you think is most important from the summary for your critical review, and apply the standards of evaluation (Part B, Units 6, 7, 8, and 9) that you think are most appropriate. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.
- Write a complete rough draft critical review essay (1000–1250 words) based on the outline you completed in question 3. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.
Why We Crave Horror Movies
King, Stephen. “Why We Crave Horror Movies.” Reader’s Choice: Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing. 7th ed., edited by Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann, Alexandra MacLennan, and Jamie Zeppa, Pearson, 2013, pp. 356–361.
- Read the essay and use one of the active reading techniques, SQ4R or Reading Inventory. Document your active reading, and submit your notes. For those steps usually done “in your head” (such as recite), write down briefly what you did in the step. Note: if you use a Reading Inventory, when you reach “rereading,” only answer the questions from the first three bullets of “rereading” listed in the Reading Inventory table (Reader’s Choice 41). Note: you may photograph or scan your active reading notes and include them in your assignment document.
- Create an outline to help you make an accurate summary of the author’s arguments. Identify the specific kind of argument being made, the subarguments, the assumptions, the critical details, and the important examples.
- Recall that Unit 4 demonstrates outlining techniques. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material. Create an outline that sketches your critical review essay on the author’s essay (Unit 9). Include what you think is most important from the summary for your critical review, and apply the standards of evaluation (Part B, Units 6, 7, 8, and 9) that you think are most appropriate. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.
- Write a complete rough draft critical review essay (1000–1250 words) based on the outline you completed in question 3. Include citations for paraphrased and quoted material.