Post 5 - Political Philosophy

Friday, February 25th

Choose one of the following prompts to write on:

*Compare and contrast how Marx views the social contract and whether you can or should break it with Locke's view of the social contract. With whom do you agree more? Why?


*Explain what the social contract is in your own words. What do you think the responsibilities should be of the citizens and of the government under the social contract? Do you think our government is upholding it's responsibilities to its citizens? Offer an example to support your opinion.

Post 4- Political Philosophy

Friday, February 18th

Pick one of the following prompts to answer:

*Are people inherently good or bad? Based on your answer how should government protect us from evil people?

*What are the characteristics to the ideal government? What barriers exist in the real world to the actualization of this ideal government?

Post 3 - Ethics

Friday, 2/11

Choose 1 of the following:

A. What are morals or values that you see as self evident? How or can someone prove that a value or moral is self evident?

B. What is an example of something that you don't think is ethical but is considered ethical in another society (or vice versa)? When can ethical relativism be justified and when can it not be justified?

Regardless of which you choose to answer PLEASE use concrete examples. Thanks.

Post 2 - Metaphysics

Friday, February 4th

Plato, Aristotle, Buddha & Lao-tzu wrote very different views on metaphysics. Whose is the most appealing to you & why? Which is the least appealing to you & why?

Post 1- Metaphysics

January 28th

Choose ONE to journal on:
1. Considering the beliefs of the pre-Socratic philosophers: what are the basic building blocks of life? What are examples to prove that these items are the basic building blocks? What are examples to disprove that these are the basic building blocks?

2. How can 21st century science be used to prove that Heraclitus or Parmenides were correct? Is it "cheating" in your opinion to use modern day science to evaluate the philosophies of the Ancient Greeks?

Write a minimum of a full paragraph to answer of the prompts above. Don't just state your opinion - SUPPORT it. You are trying to make a persuasive argument.

Welcome to our class blog! Term 3 2011

The instructor will post a question or will give you a choice of questions at least one a week. The question will give the student an opportunity to apply what she/he has learned from the reading &/or class to real life.

Posts need to be intelligent and in depth. Try to spell check and proof read. Students should consider this as publishing their opinions.

You are not required to read the posts of other students or to respond to them. However, you are invited to do so.

If you are absent, please try to make up your journal post within two days.

Students need to stand behind what they say and will be held responsible for what they post. Posts should not attack individual posters and should not use language that would not be appropriate in a classroom discussion. Student who do not post responsibly will have their posting rights taken away by the moderator (the teacher).

In the past this has been one of my favorite activities in the class. I am looking forward to what you have to say.

I think that Socrates would really enjoy blogs if he was still around. :) M. Aby

Final post: What is your personal philosophy?

In your post please address the following questions:

*What is your political, ethical and / or religious philosophy?
*What evidence or life experiences do you use to support your philosophy?
*Out of the philosophers we have discussed this quarter, with whom do you have the most intellectual agreement? With whom do you have the most disagreement?
*What do you plan on doing with your personal philosophy? How will it shape your life?

Thanks for sharing your insight with me this term. I have loved teaching this class!!!