Post 1 - 2016

Choose ONE to journal on:

1. Socrates believed in seeking an objective truth.  Do you believe there is a truth or rather many truths from many different perspectives?  If there are many truths, then how can we ever determine guilt in a court of law?  If there is an objective truth, then how can we make sure it is valid and not just the most powerful person's opinion?

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!

Welcome to Philosophy!  I love teaching this class and am very excited to work with you.  I haven't gotten to teach this class since 2011 and I have missed it.  We will use this blog on average once a week as way to apply and digest the philosophies we are discussing in class to real life.  I look forward to reading what you write.

Sincerely,
Meredith

Post 7: Religious Philosophy

Thursday, 10/10

(The purpose of this journal entry is NOT to promote any school of thought or to make you feel uncomfortable. If you are concerned about the content of this journal entry either journal about that or speak to me. Thanks.)

Choose the statement which best applies for yourself:
* As a believer, I argue that God exists using the following type of arguments....
* As an atheist, I argue that God doesn’t exist using the following type of arguments...
* As an agnostic, I argue that God could exist, but that we don’t have conclusive evidence using the following type of arguments...

Post 6: Free Will

Due Thursday, 11/3
Choose one of the following to answer:
*Should someone under the age of 18 be tried as an adult in a court of law (ie. when should someone become legally responsible for their actions)? If no, why? If yes or maybe, then
what would be the determining factors?

* If someone is a soldier in the Nazi army to what degree is it their fault that Jews, gypsies and homosexuals were systematically murdered? To what degree does someone have choice in that situation - as a soldier or as a Jew?

Post 5: Political philosophy

Thursday, October 27

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, October 14th

What is justice? How would you define justice in your own words? What would be examples of a just government? Of an unjust government?

Please write a minimum of a full paragraph and use concrete examples to prove your argument.

Post #3: Ethics

Friday, 10/7
Which ethical theory that we have discussed (utilitarianism, deontology, categorical imperative, cultural relativism, ethical relativism, moral intuitionalism) best reflects your own ethical system? Why? How has it served you in deciding the correct course of action?