Questions May Take 5 Question For Philosophy 101
Answer four out of the following five questions as clearly and concisely as you can. Aim to demonstrate your understanding of the central concepts and the connections between ideas. A suggested target length is 125 words, but you will not be penalized for going over or under. Some questions may take more space to answer than others.
- What, according to Nietzsche, is the problem of nihilism, and how is it rooted in the value we place on truth?
- Sartre claims that “in wanting freedom we discover that it depends entirely on the freedom of others, and that the freedom of others depends on ours” (pg 48). What could this ‘dependence’ mean given that Sartre argues that each individual is radically free and thus entirely responsible for him/herself?
- In “Throwing Like a Girl” Young claims that the situation of being a woman in a sexist society is oppressive and that it produces a ‘physical handicapping’ of women (Young, 152). What does she mean by this claim, and what does she identify as the causes of this?
- Would Socrates agree with Sartre that for humans, existence precedes essence? What difference does it make if existence precedes essence when it comes to how to live the good life?
- Would Young agree with Sartre that existence precedes essence? Why or why not?
Answer the following question in a short essay. Your aim should be to demonstrate both understanding of concepts, your capacity to analyze claims, and your capacity to synthesize (connect) ideas. A suggested length is 400 words, but you will not be penalized for going over or under. Write as much as you need to demonstrate your understanding.
One of the problematic fields we mapped out during the course of the semester is that of ‘caring for truth’: both how to care for truth and why we should care for truth. In what ways do you see this problem at work in each of the philosophies/philosophers we engaged this semester? (Socrates, Sophists, Plato, Aquinas, Nietzsche, Sartre, Young)