Justice (12)

1. What is justice?
2. Consider the clips we saw in class from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption". Was (retributive) justice ultimately served? Why or why not?

"Global" Responsibility (11)

Please read the article (link in title) and discuss where responsibility for global issues such as oceanic acidity, declining species, adn global warming lies. Is it at the individual, regional, national, or international level (or none or all of the above)?

What is Freedom? (10)

What precisely is freedom? Defend your position.

"Self" and End of Life (9)

Read the article (link in blog title) and discuss the end of life in the context of self identity.

Personal Identity (6)

What does it take to be the "same" person while we experience little changes that accumulate throughout time? Are we physical beings? Psychological beings? What is "self"?

Ethics and Religion (5)

Is religious belief NECESSARY for ethical decisions and/or behavior? Are Atheists as ethical as Christians? Why or why not?

Creating Life to Save Another (4)

Read the case (link in title above) about the Spanish stem cell baby created specifically to save his brother's life. Do you agree with the parent's decision? Why or why not? What are the significant moral considerations in this case? What consideration is decisive for you?

Problem of Good and Evil (8)

Describe the problem of good and evil (including arguments and rebuttals) in your own words. What do you conclude from this?

Politics As Usual (7)

Select 4 US political parties (2 of which must be Democrat and Republican). Compare and contrast the 4 parties' philosophical views that in large part determine party platform and beliefs. Include a brief discussion of how such philosophical differences play a role in the partisanship that occurs during political decision making.

Information on a variety of parties can be found at Project Vote Smart.

"Stuff" of the Universe (3)

Why have philosophers and scientists tried so hard to find the basic "stuff" of the universe? Why not just say everything is what it is? And are you persuaded that we do not know what something is if we cannot define it? Why or why not?

What is reality? (2)

Given what we know about science today, was Thales view of reality childish and implausible? Or was he ahead of his time? How might you improve his notion of what is real?

What is a 'good' president? (1)

Students, what makes a 'good' president? As you get used to philosophical argumentation and constructing ideas, you may find it helpful to start with an example (find a past president you admire) and move to more general qualities that all presidents should have (in your opinion) and why.