Identify historical beginnings of philosophy and contemporary positions concerning the nature of knowledge and reality.
Distinguish the basic concepts of moral and political philosophy
Evaluate arguments for and against the existence of God
Evaluate various approaches to the mind-body problem.
Why according to Socrates, must one NOT heed popular opinion about moral matters? Does Socrates accept the fairness of the laws under which he was tried and convicted? Would Socrates have been wrong to escape? Finally, how does the notion of a social contract apply to Socrates’ reasoning? (CO3)?
[You must use and cite the Crito in completing this paper.]Socrates asks Euthyphro, “Are morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they morally good because they are willed by God?”
(1) How does this question relate to the Divine Command Theory of morality? (2) What are the philosophical implications associated with each option here? Finally, (3) which position do you feel is correct and why?
Explain (1) the process by which Descartes uses skepticism to refute skepticism, and (2) how he concluded that whatever is clearly and distinctly perceived cannot be doubted. (3) Explain why this project was important for Descartes to accomplish in light of Mediation VI. Finally, (4) discuss at least one problem his conclusion presents. (CO1, CO5)
Using several theories from weeks three and four justify the claim that it is or is not possible to have objective knowledge of the world in which we live.
Discuss the different conceptions and identify any differences between the theories. Then defend the notion that America is or is not currently operating under some form of a social contract. (CO 3)
