Marjorie Benton

Empirical premise

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Instructions. Read Carefully! Please answer three of the following questions in approximately two typed, double-spaced pages each. You may consult your notes and any assigned readings you think might be helpful. If you wish—though I don’t consider it necessary—you may also consult library materials. However, under no circumstances should you consult any Internet materials. In avoiding even the appearance of plagiarism, err on the side of caution. Be sure to credit every source you use, and to provide specific page references for every quotation or paraphrase. Extended quotations are discouraged. You may visit us in the office at any time during the examination period, though don’t be surprised if we try, in a Socratic vein, to get you to reach your own answers to the questions, rather than laying out ours. You may also discuss the exam with your classmates, prior to writing it. Once you have started the actual writing, classmates and other fellow students are off limits.You may not share your completed exam, in whole or in part, with anyone who has yet to submit his or her own exam.

Your answers will be evaluated primarily on the clarity of your reasoning. Each answer is worth 5 points.

Exams must be turned in on Canvas. You are only allowed one submission, so include all three of your essays in a single file! To ensure compatibility, you are required to use Microsoft Word format. You may turn in your exam early, but because this is a timed exercise, no late papers will be accepted. You are responsible for retaining a backup, either on paper or disk. No hardcopy or email submissions will be accepted under any circumstances.

  1. According to Charles Darwin in Descent of Man, how many races of humanity are there, and why?
  2. What is St. Anselm’s argument for the existence of God, and how might one challenge it?
  3. Explain the “optimism” to which Voltaire refers in the subtitle of Candide, and describe Voltaire’s assessment of it.
  4. What is the challenge posed by Glaucon and Adeimantus in Republic II, and how does Socrates propose to address it?
  5. Explain the myth of Gyges as it occurs in Republic II, and its significance in the context of the dialogue.
  6. What is Cartesian skepticism, and how might we refute it?
  7. Explain foundationalism.

Answer preview

Cartesian skepticism is a type of methodological doubt advanced by Rene Descartes. In much simpler terms, Cartesian skepticism denotes a systematic approach to doubting the truthfulness of the beliefs held by a person (Pereira 245). Many people within the philosophy disciple perceive the methodology advanced by Descartes as the foundation of the contemporary empirical approach (Pereira 245). When coming up with the methodology, Descartes doubted the truthfulness of all the beliefs he held. By doing this, Descartes was seeking to establish which of his beliefs were actually true. This approach laid the foundation for the statement he made “I doubt therefore I think, I think therefore I exist” (Pereira 245). Under his methodology of Cartesian skepticism, Descartes argued that people should only accept information they know is true, break down these truths into smaller factions, begin by solving simple challenges,

[2012 Words]

Empirical premise

Marjorie Benton

philosophy of moral absolutism

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moral rules contained in your religions moral code You try to live strictly by the moral rules contained in your religion’s moral code. The two most important rules are “Be merciful” (don’t give people what they deserve) and “Be just” (give people exactly what they deserve). Now suppose a man is arrested for stealing food from your house, and the police leave it up to you whether he should be prosecuted for his crime or set free. Should you be merciful and set him free, or be just and make sure he is appropriately punished? How do you resolve this conflict of rules? Can your moral code resolve it? To what moral principles or theories do you appeal? Needs to be answered using course textbook, doing ethics Inquisitive by Lewis Vaughn

Requirements: 350 words -400 words

Answer preview

In my view, my moral reasoning for being just would be inclined to teach the man that stealing is not a solution when they cannot afford what they desire. However, I would take the time to understand the man’s intent for stealing and determine if he was remorseful or did it as a habit. Hence, I would resolve the conflict by applying the philosophy of moral absolutism, which emphasize that deeds have inherent values of either right or wrong despite the motivating aspect behind them (Vaughn, 2018). For instance, although the man’s motivation was to get food to feed his starving family, I would still consider the stealing act immoral. I believe the man could have taken a morally sound decision, such as requesting assistance. Otherwise, failing to take an act of justice would likely increase a repeat pattern of stealing.

[386 Words]

philosophy of moral absolutism

Marjorie Benton

Aesthetic value

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8 to 10-page paper covers a topic of philosophy; Aesthetic. The paper will be written in APA Style 7th Edition with title page, narrative, and reference page. I chose this topic because I believe that everything has some type of beauty and someone’s trash is another mans treasure. I also believe that everyone shows emotions even when they do not think that they are, we cannot go a day without expressing some form of emotion.

Requirements: 8-10 pages

 

this was my discussion response, I hope this helps!

  1. Does an object have aesthetic value only if it serves some function? Are art objects valuable in themselves, without any functions? Explain.

I do not think that an object can only have aesthetic value only if it serves some sort of function. But I do believe that all objects have a function. The function of Art work is for the artist to express themselves and showcase their talents. Along with the people buying said art work, the function is to add personality to where ever they place the art work. Name one thing that does not in some form or way have a function to our lives? Nose hair, can be an object, the function is to help prevent bacteria from getting inside our bodies.

  1. Is it possible to rationally examine an object, person, or thing devoid of emotion/feeling? If so, how so or how not?

I do not believe that you can examine an object, person or thing and devoid of emotion and feeling. I think that we as humans, even when we try not to show emotion or feeling that no matter we do. With that being sad I believe that we can not rationally examine something without some sort of emotion or feeling. For example, you look at a piece of art and someone ask “you how do you feel about this art piece? ” In which you respond ” I don’t know”, but who says that the feeling of not knowing isn’t a feeling? And if they did why cannot be? Not knowing something to me is just as much as a feeling or emotion as any other typical feeling or emotion. Just like when people say they want to be “normal”, well ok, but what exactly is “normal”? My normal is not the same as your normal, so how we do define someone’s feelings when they use the expression ” I don’t know”. I just feel as almost it is impossible to not have or show some type of feeling or emotion, it is as if it is in our human nature. Those feelings and emotions are what define us and help people understand who we are just like those art pieces and object etc., by explaining what you believe their value is and how you see them.

Answer preview

One of the 18th-century philosophers who examined the concept of aesthetics was the Earl of Shaftesbury. He came up with a vital distinction that still holds water today. Shaftesbury distinguished between enjoying something due to the benefit it brings them and enjoying something for the sake of it, or rather just because it should be enjoyed (Townsend, 2013). Shaftesbury dealt with the question of how is it that a person’s experience can be both subjective and, to some extent, also objective and universal. He argued that the world’s beauty and people’s creations push a person’s mind towards a greater appreciation of the beauty of the creation and its creator (Townsend, 2013). David Hume took a different approach when dealing with the same issue. Hume did away with the concept of the creator of beauty, arguing that people move with their imagination towards recognizing some utility, irrespective of whether this recognition is accurate or not.

[2628 Words]

Aesthetic value

Marjorie Benton

Branches of philosophy.

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Read sources and answer the following questions. Each response should be at least 4-5 sentences. USE Branches of Philosophy, AND Part 2 Branches of Philosophy. Don’t forget to cite if using information from the text.

1. Based on what you learned about the branches of philosophy, how would you describe the character of philosophy? Use your own words.

2. Based on what you learned about the branches of philosophy, how does Logic serve as a foundation for “doing” philosophy?

3. Based on the readings in this section, what does Socrates say about why people do bad things?

4. Based on your readings in this section, what is Hedonism?

5. Based on your readings in this section, what is the primary motive of human behavior, according to the Greek Skeptics?

Answer preview

Socrates is considered the father of Western ethics, and he explores the concept and the reason behind doing good and evil. In his theory, Socrates posits that people indulge in wrong actions due to ignorance. He claims that there is only one good, knowledge, and one bad; ignorance, whereby knowledge is regarded as self-awareness; therefore, people who do bad indulge in such acts unintentionally. This is so because Socrates claims that if people knew the right thing to do, they would not be associated with doing bad things. In his argument, people will always do the things they believe will produce positive effects; however, due to ignorance, people end up doing bad things. If people who do bad things were aware of their actions, they would not do the wrong things. Thus, these people do bad things because they believe it is good for them. People will choose the actions they deem to be good for them in the same way; people who do bad things believe that what they are doing is good, despite their efforts being evil.

[963 Words]