Category: philosopy

Truth and Lies in the Extra-Moral Sense

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How would you characterise the basic argument of Nietzsche’s essay ‘On Truth and Lies in the Extra-Moral Sense’? More specifically, how would you characterize his account of the human capacity for lies and deception? Do you find his claims convincing? Explain why.
Both Descartes and Nietzsche are sceptical about the possibility of human knowledge and propose that we are deceived in fundamental ways. But their accounts of deception also lead them to rather different conclusions. Compare their arguments. Do you find one more convincing? Explain why.

 

 

The evolution

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Using sculptural and ceramic illustrations provided by Soltes, explain the evolution (how did the art change?) from Geometric Greek art into Classical Greek art, culminating with the construction and decoration of the Parthenon (The Temple of Athena). What social, cultural/historic events accompanied and promoted this evolution?
In your answer be sure to include the following words/phrases. (Be certain that you understand what these words mean before you write.)
sacer and profanus
symmetria
ethos and pathos

 

Ethics and Morals

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1. Socrates, devoted to truth and reason, died when he was presented with a choice of philosophy or death. Henry David Thoreau was a more modern day version of Socrates. He also believed in the importance of listening to your conscience and went so far as to say that the conscience was a higher law than that of the government. Would both men end up in jail today, or do you think they would be revered leaders of their countries?

2. Is Suicide a sin?

3. Let’s have some fun with Socrates and Thoreau. Pick one, bring him into the present day and tell me about his experiences on a reality TV show. Here are some suggestions:

The Apprentice
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The Amazing Race
America’s Got Talent
The Simple Life
Survivor
Jersey Shore

Video analysis

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Watch the Genie video and answer the question: https://youtu.be/VjZolHCrC8E
1. There is a debate about the importance of the critical period in language development? What does the case of Genie say about this?
2. Did Genie learn more grammar or lexicon? What does this imply?
3. There is debate about the role of language in thought. How does the case of Genie inform this argument?
4. How does Genie’s case inform the nature vs. nurture debate?
5. To what extent did Genie go through Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development? Will she still follow the same timeline as other children/adults?
6. Did Genie follow the timeline set out by Piaget’s stages of cognitive development? If not, why not?

 

Emmanuel Kant’s philosophy

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http://www.inp.uw.edu.pl/mdsie/Political_Thought/Kant%20-%20groundwork%20for%20the%20metaphysics%20of%20morals%20with%20essays.pdf
http://www.inp.uw.edu.pl/mdsie/Political_Thought/Kant%20-%20groundwork%20for%20the%20metaphysics%20of%20morals%20with%20essays.pdf
The paper is about: The defenses of Abraham by the philosophers Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas. what is the relation to Kant because he based morality on reason?. Explain these different ideas. Then, identify what you think is the best source for morality, based on the five possible sources:
1) God.
2) Human nature.
3) Culture
4) Reason ”morality is a practical form of rationality
5) Our selves.

 

Sophists and Socratic method discussion

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In this Discussion Board, you will demonstrate your understanding of the Sophists in three ways:

Summarize some of the key ideas of the Sophists.
Identify and draw parallels with professionals in our world today who seem to embody the spirit of the Sophists.
Evaluate the potential value and/or the potential problems with a Sophistic approach to Truth
In this Discussion, students will demonstrate an understanding of the Socratic method and illustrate its importance and relevance in our world today.

Briefly describe the main features and the process of Socratic questioning, and then provide an example of Socratic questioning being employed in the modern world. In other words, after explaining what the Socratic method is, illustrate how it can be used to call into question a belief or practice common in our world today.