What is the Socratic method/elenctic? How and why does Socrates use it in Athens?
Philosophy
The idea behind the take home essay exam is to allow you sufficient time to critically and creatively engage the questions raised by the subject matter covered in the class. It also affords you an opportunity to refine your general writing skills and to gain and/or hone the skill of philosophical writing and critical, as well as constructive, thinking. Given the length of time allowed to complete this exam, essays are expected to be polished and of high quality. They should each be stand-alone essays, of sufficient length to adequately address the question and/or to meet the length requirement, which is a minimum requirement of 2.5-3 pages per essay (800-1000 words) and a minimum of 5-6 pages (1600 words) for the exam, and employ standard methods of citation (MLA). You may use both the textbook and notes; however, the essay must clearly represent your own work. Your essays should take into account the texts, the lecture notes, and any class discussion. They may also include outside research on the topic(s), though not Wikipedia. Please be sure to upload a single document file that includes both essays.
Select two from among the following on which to write. Each essay should be typed, double spaced, be a minimum of 2.5 to 3 pages in length (for a minimum of 5-6 pages for the exam, though this may be longer if one of the essays exceeds the minimum), and clearly refer to related texts where appropriate. Utilize quotes and mentions (not all citation have to be quotes, just some) of the book, and any other material, within the essays.
The book is called introduction to philosophy by john perry, michael bratman, and john martin fischer and you can try to look it up and find a pdf on ur own.
Pick two from the following prompts:
- What is the Socratic method/elenctic? How and why does Socrates use it in Athens? Explain the charges against him, including the rationale behind each charge, and indicate to what extent, if any, he is guilty of each charge. Is what Socrates does valuable for a society?
- Explain Descartes’ argument for cogito ergo sumand his wax example. What are his arguments against other types of knowledge and what is the method he employs? Why does he employ this method? How does he ultimately prove that he exists? What does he come to know about wax and corporeal reality through the wax example? What do these elements of his philosophy tell us about his view of knowledge?
- What is justification and how does it function in the theory of knowledge? How does skepticism inform our understanding of justification? On your view, is there a value in some form of skepticism? What is Hume’s argument concerning causation, necessary connexion, and induction, and how does this argument relate to skepticism concerning justification?
- Provide a detailed account of substance dualism and monism, particularly
materialism. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each view? How might one argue for each view? Which do you prefer and why (you may create, explain, and provide justification for your own view if one of these does not suit you)? (Be sure to include references to the numerous texts we read related to this question.)
- What is the meaning or purpose in human existence? In my or your existence? How and/or where is it found? (Note: many of the readings address this question, either implicitly or explicitly, and you should use them in your response. Moreover, if you offer a view other than those posed by our texts, which is of course acceptable, you still need to do so in a way that takes their arguments into account, especially if they impact your argument.)
- Write an essay in which you address each of the arguments listed below by 1) thoroughly explaining each argument, addressing multiple versions where appropriate, and 2) critically reflecting on the value of the arguments (does it make the case for God’s existence—why or why not?). Be sure to include your own assessment in your response and to include your view on whether or not rational argument helps one to gain belief in God.
- Ontological Argument
- Cosmological Argument (Aquinas’ 4 ways)
- Teleological (Design) Argument (including Aquinas’ 5th way, Paley, and others)
- Explain, compare, and contrast at least two from Aristotle’s virtue theory, Kant’s deontological theory, and Mill’s utilitarian theory. Be sure to include examples for each, such as courage and generosity for Aristotle, lying and the shop keeper example for Kant, and the experience machine and the Wild West example for Mill. On your view, which theory is to be preferred? Why?
- What is philosophy and what is the value of philosophy? Remember to make clear and copious references to the readings throughout the semester in your response.
Subject: Philosophy
Pages: 6 | Double spacing
Use MLA style
Answer preview……………………………
apa 1852 words