Choose one question and write a typed essay of 750-1000 words (2-3 pages) in response.
- Do you agree with Socrates that no one can harm a good person? Why or why not?
- Do you agree with Socrates that taking care of one’s soul is more important than acquiring wealth or taking care of our bodies? Why or why not?
- Do you agree with Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living? Why or why not?
- What do you think of Philosophy as Socrates describes it in the Apology? Was he doing the people of Athens a service by being a gadfly, as he claims? Why or why not?
- Do you think Descartes’ Dreaming Argument is a good argument? Why or why not?
- Do you think Descartes’ Evil Demon Argument is a good argument? Why or why not?
- Is it really possible that an intelligent person could know nothing, as Socrates claims and as Descartes claims in the first Meditation? Why or why not?
- Socrates (and later philosophers) have claimed that nothing is more important than discovering the truth and being a good person. We also discussed Nozick’s experience machine in class. If you had the choice to live out your ultimate fantasy life and believe it was real, would you do it? Why or why not?
- Are Descartes and Socrates right that we have a mind/soul that is distinct (separate) from our bodies? Why or why not?
- Evaluate one of Descartes’ arguments for the existence of God from Meditations on First Philosophy. Is it a good argument? Why or why not?
- Evaluate one of Descartes’ arguments for Mind/Body Dualism from Meditations on First Philosophy. Is it a good argument? Why or why not?
- Is Descartes correct in thinking that in order to say you know something, it must be 100% certain and indubitable? Why or why not?
Sample Solution