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- Something from Why Grow Up (WGU) thru p.165. #5 Nadia B. #6 Jessica Law #7 Alex P
- John Kaag, Sick Souls Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life (SSHM), Prologue. #5 Hoang T. #6 Emmanuel J. #7 Jonathan D.
- Fantasyland (FL) 40 When the GOP Went Off the Rails
- William James (WJ), Is Life Worth Living? (1897) - in Be Not Afraid: in the Words of William James (BNA, on reserve) #5 Sophia E. #6 Aubree J. #7 Lorelei
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- WGU -p.166-192. #5 Marshay Jones. #6 Kirsten H. #7 Autumn C,
- SSHM ch1 Determinism and Despair, & WJ, The Dilemma of Determinism (1897) - in BNA, on reserve #5 Ben S. #6 Patrick S. #7 Maddison C.
- Kieran Setiya, Life is Hard Intro-1 Infirmity (on reserve) #5 Larry L. #6 Josh S. #7 Aedan D.
WGU -192
1. What hallmark of modernity reversed Plato's and Aristotle's judgment?
2. What gives life meaning, for Kant?
3. In a truly human society, according to Marx, how would our capacities to work develop?
4. Most jobs involve what, according to Paul Goodman?
5. People were certain, as late as 2008, that what?
6. What alternatives to consumerism have small groups begun to develop?
1. What hallmark of modernity reversed Plato's and Aristotle's judgment?
2. What gives life meaning, for Kant?
3. In a truly human society, according to Marx, how would our capacities to work develop?
4. Most jobs involve what, according to Paul Goodman?
5. People were certain, as late as 2008, that what?
6. What alternatives to consumerism have small groups begun to develop?
SSHM ch1
1. Calvinism set out, for Henry James Sr., what impossible task?
2. Kaag thinks the Civil War gave WJ his first intimation that what?
3. WJ's entire life had been premised on what expectation?
4. What did WJ say (in 1906, to H.G. Wells) about "SUCCESS"?
5. What Stoic hope did young WJ share with his friend Tom Ward?
6. What thought seeded "the dilemma of determinism" for WJ?
7. As WJ explicated determinism in 1884, the future has no what?
8. WJ found what in Huxley's evolutionary materialism alarming?
9. Determinism has antipathy to the idea of what?
10. To the "sick soul," what seems blind and shallow?
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Setiya Intro, ch1
1. What reminder does Kieran Setiya say he needed when he was younger? What kind of philosophy did his teachers say he needed? (pref) What has he experienced since age 27?
2. What is moral philosophy about?
3. Does Setiya think "everything happens for a reason"? What were Job's friends wrong about?
4. What did Nietzsche say about happiness and the English?
5. Who is Susan Gubar?
6. To whom should disability matter?
7. What's the difference between disease and illness?
8. What does Setiya think Aristotle gets wrong?
9. Who are Setiya's heroes?
10. What does Setiya say about Marx's vision of communist society?
11. What was Harriet Johnson's reply to Peter Singer?
12. What did Setiya appreciate about his fifth urologist?
13. What, contrary to Descartes, does pain teach us about our bodies?
FL 41-42
1. What became of the 1998 study that promoted the false belief that vaccines cause autism?
I wonder if Goodman believed going to war and being a soldier was deemed as a worthy job. He claims the only worthy jobs in the world are ones that can be done with honor and dignity. I wonder if this falls into the category since most people say war brings honor and glory, though not always dignity. It then goes on to state how most jobs were harmful if they fit this criteria. I am curious what kind of job titles he is referring to when he says work brings honor and dignity… maybe a social worker? Doctor?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that philosophy is a practical tool to be used in life. The quote, “We cannot grow up before we realize how many structures, and habits, stand in the way of doing so.” I think this is so apparent in our day and age. We are told to grow up and grow up fast, but we do not have the tools or proper education on how to. I think if we used philosophy as a practical tool early on in our development, we may have an easier time growing up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! Especially in our early teenage years when we are learning how to process and use our emotions, I think philosophy would have been very useful for doing so in a well thought-out manner. For me personally, if I had known about Stoicism at around age thirteen, I imagine I would've had a MUCH easier time growing up!
DeleteThe statement, “[William James] believed that the point of life wasn’t merely to make a living…instead, the objective of human existence was to cultivate good character” rings true to me and my personal philosophy. I think that we are to go through life constantly growing and learning through our experiences and through other people’s experiences. I think that the point of life is to grow in character and to make a difference to the world (for the better/ a positive change). It isn’t merely about living for ourselves, but rather how we make an impact on those around us and for those that will come after us.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with this comment because we are not here on earth for that long. What is the point of being so negative and being so down on life when we have an opportunity to live a great, prosperous life!
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ReplyDelete2. What gives life meaning, for Kant?
Kant believe that performing a duty or obligation is what gives life meaning since it would get boring if you were to just not have to work or have responsibilities as we would keep trying to find something to preoccupy. I agree with this because there have been moments when I have nothing to do for days upon days and I end up getting bored a lot. Even the history of humans applies to this idea as we were either hunting down animals for food as an obligation to those who lived with us to having to work to provide for ourself and for our family since it is an obligation.
5. People were certain, as late as 2008, that what?
People were certain that the United States would not vote for a black president. The point being made is that before progress is made, people tend to have a mindset the opposite of the mindset people have after progress such as gay rights during Vietnam to gay rights after marriage became legal and that we often forget that difference because we tend to take the effects of progress lightly.
6. What alternatives to consumerism have small groups begun to develop?
Small groups have developed alternatives to consumerism such as by being wise and conscious of what they are buying. This idea is very interesting as it stems from the fact that what we buy is heavily influenced by external factors rather than our own decisions. Advertisements are one external factor but sometimes a product can be misleading or have negative side effects not mentioned in said advertisements. This is a good reason for developing better spending habits.
The impossible task was to exercise the human will freely, meaningfully, in order to satisfy God who is both omnipotent and infinitely removed
ReplyDeleteSuccess was compared to a disease, patiently, steadily, eating away at the victim til their time is up. Barely realizing they are dead, being sick for as far back as they can recollect.
Do you believe it is impossible for humans to exercise free will meaningfully?
DeleteI would argue that free will cannot be exercised to satisfy an all-powerful being, assuming that that being is tied alongside time. If they exist outside of time, then our free will has no bearing on their presence.
Delete2. What gives life meaning, for Kant?
ReplyDeleteImmanuel Kant believen that life is given meaning by the pursuit of virtue. Humans are guided to live a virtuous life that fulfills our inner moral code. Living by those principles is what gives life its meaning and purpose. I somewhat agree with this worldview. I personally believe life is about striving to be the best version of yourself.
9. Determinism has antipathy to the idea of what?
ReplyDeleteDeterminism suggests that every event is the inevitable result of a predetermined fate. This view is in complete opposite of the belief of free will. I personally believe that although there is some form of otherworldly guidance, we still have free will and are in control of our final destiny.
The Matrix shows a really solid representation of this idea. There are phenomenal rules and basic laws of nature that we must follow, but the characters in The Matrix are given the opportunity to break these rules, because they know the world doesn't exist. Their free will is not inhibited by an otherworldly race, but it is controlled.
Delete13. What, contrary to Descartes, does pain teach us about our bodies?
ReplyDeletePain teaches us that our bodies are a part of our selves. That we do not just inhabit them, but are them. The physical reflects just as much as the mental does. If you are physically unwell then you will be mentally unwell. Your spirit and body are connected and reflect one another.
It also teaches us how we are aware of our body's issues, with scales of pain being proportional to danger. Our body is not just a host of the mind, but work together.
Delete1. What became of the 1998 study that promoted the false belief that vaccines cause autism?
ReplyDeleteThe 1998 study, published by Andrew Wakefield in The Lancet, claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This study was later thoroughly discredited. In 2010, The Lancet fully retracted the paper, and Wakefield's medical license was revoked due to ethical concerns and falsifying data. Numerous subsequent studies have shown no connection between vaccines and autism. Despite this, the false belief continues to influence vaccine hesitancy in some communities.
2. How many people refusing vaccines can lead to the collapse of herd immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of the population becomes immune to a disease, either through vaccination or previous infection, thus preventing its spread. Experts generally agree that if 5-10% of people refuse vaccines, it can lead to the collapse of herd immunity, depending on the disease. For diseases like measles, which are highly contagious, as few as 5% of unvaccinated individuals in a population can put the entire community at risk.
3. What do experts say about most mass killers?
Experts agree that most mass killers tend to exhibit certain patterns, although there is no single profile. Common factors often include a history of personal or social grievances, a desire for notoriety, and sometimes mental health issues. However, experts emphasize that mental illness alone is not a sufficient predictor. Many mass killers have shown signs of social isolation, a desire for revenge, or deep resentment, and may have had access to firearms or other weapons. Addressing these root causes, such as improving mental health care and reducing access to weapons, is often recommended to prevent such tragedies.
McKinsley Slicker 005
4. Most jobs involve what, according to Paul Goodman?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Paul Goodman, most jobs involve “selling useless or harmful goods and services” rather than meaningful work that contributes to genuine human needs. He critiques the way modern economies create jobs that do not fulfill people in a deeper sense.
5. People were certain, as late as 2008, that what?
As late as 2008, people were certain that the existing economic and political system was stable and functional. However, the financial crisis of that year shattered this belief, revealing deep structural flaws in capitalism and governance.
6. What alternatives to consumerism have small groups begun to develop?
Small groups have begun to develop alternatives to consumerism by exploring cooperative living, local economies, and sustainable practices. Examples include intentional communities, barter systems, self-sufficient agriculture, and movements like minimalism that reject excessive consumption in favor of meaningful experiences.
What gives life meaning, for Kant?
ReplyDeleteFor Kant, he believed that people's drive in life should be by internal motivation and self-fulfilling reasons, not by external reasons driven by other people's expectations and wants / needs.
FL 42
ReplyDelete4. Who wrote a "demented" letter on behalf of gun rights in 1995?
The letter was signed by Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the NRA.
I was surprised to learn that George H.W. Bush resigned from the NRA in protest to this letter. Most Republican politicians today would endorse such a letter. I think the chokehold the NRA currently has on the American government is indicative of the general state of modern U.S. politics.
Kurt Andersen suggests mass killers are "engaged in role-play" and want attention. I recently watched a documentary on the Columbine school shooting, and the perpetrators definitely fit this description. Eric Harris had dreams of joining the military, which probably coincided with a fantasy of using weapons to kill multiple people. It is also commonly reported that the two killers were bullied and not respected socially. This could have made them want to do something drastic for attention.
ReplyDeleteWhat became of the 1998 study that promoted the false belief that vaccines cause autism? The 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield was retracted by The Lancet in 2010 after being proven fraudulent and unethical. Wakefield lost his medical license, but the study still caused lasting damage by fueling vaccine misinformation.
ReplyDelete2. How many people refusing vaccines can lead to the collapse of herd immunity? Herd immunity for highly contagious diseases like measles requires about 95% of the population to be vaccinated. If just 5–10% refuse vaccines, outbreaks can occur and herd immunity may break down.
3. What do experts say about most mass killers? Experts say most mass killers do not have severe mental illnesses like psychosis but often exhibit traits like anger, resentment, or a desire for revenge. They are typically male and have a history of personal grievances or social isolation.
4. Who wrote a "demented" letter on behalf of gun rights in 1995? Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the NRA, wrote a controversial letter in 1995 calling federal agents "jack-booted thugs." The letter was widely criticized, including by former President George H.W. Bush, who resigned from the NRA in protest.
Cameron White
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