Philosophical
Essay: You will write a two-part 5-6 page essay using ourLibrary Guide for PHIL101 and
our Online Library to answer one of the following questions:
Please be sure to carefully read the syllabus assignment
instructions prior to submission, as well as review the example in the syllabus
of the Philosophical Essay Part 1.
1.
According to Socrates, must one 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?
2.
If God exists, is murder immoral? Can those who do not believe in God be
highly moral people? Can people who practice different religions agree
about how to resolve a moral disagreement?
3.
Consider the following philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and
there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” (1) How is this
philosophical puzzle an epistemological problem? And (2) how would John Locke
answer it?
4.
Evaluate the movie,The Matrix, in terms of
the philosophical issues raised with (1) skepticism and (2) the mind-body
problem. Explain how the movie raises questions similar to those found in
Plato’s and Descartes’ philosophy. Do not give a plot summary of the movie –
focus on the philosophical issues raised in the movie as they relate to Plato
and Descartes.
5.
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?
6.
Explain (1) the process by which Descartes uses skepticism to refute
skepticism, and (2) what first principle does this lead him to? (3) Explain why
this project was important for Descartes to accomplish.
