Man as free being
Why do we need laws?
To protect the most vulnerable in society (like children, women, homosexuals, etc.).
Why was Sisyphus' punishment so cruel?
Because it was pointless.
What does Heidegger mean when he said we were thrown into the world?
That none of us chose to be born (or the circumstances of our birth).
What does Utilitarianism base its decisions on?
Utilitarianism bases decisions on the consequences of actions.
Where are categorical imperatives derived from?
Pure reason
I cannot be good at math without an ability for abstract thinking, classes and practice because of this restriction to freedom.
Natural ability
Why was Sisyphus' punishment tragic, according to Camus?
Because Sisyphus is self aware and therefore aware of the futility of his task.
Once thrown into the world, what are the things that do not depend on you? Give 5 examples.
Your genetic composition (color of your skin, any genetic diseases, your height, etc.). Your family. When and where you were born. The socioeconomic class you were born into and the comforts and opportunities that come with it. The society you were born into and how that limits (you cannot work on a foreign country without a permit) or helps you. Etcetera.
What does Deontology base its decisions on?
Deontology bases its decisions on principles such as "do no harm".
What is the universalizability principle?
Act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.
What is the relationship between self-control and freedom? Give an example.
The more self control that you have, the freer you are. For example, if you control yourself and eat healthy you are in charge of yourself (you do not let your cravings control you).
Does the myth of Sisyphus have significance and staying power? How do you know?
Yes, it has significance because it talks about an important topic, the absurdity of life, and this is something that has always been important for human beings, finding meaning in life.
Yes, it has staying power because it was written over 2000 years ago and Camus used it as inspiration to write a book about the absurd and how to find meaning in life.
If you want to go to college, what are the things you can control?
Go to high school, study, work hard and earn a diploma
Apply to college, study, pass the exam (if there is one)
Get enough money to pay for it or get a scholarship
There is a trolley going down the tracks with no brakes. There are 5 workers down the track and noone can warn them. You are on a bridge with a large man and if you push him you can stop the train and save the 5 workers. What should you do according to Utilitarianism? Why?
Save the 5 workers and sacrifice the large man because it bring the most happyness to the most people.
What is the formula of humanity?
Act so that you treat humanity, in your own person or in that of another, always as an end, and never as a mere means.
What freedom did Frankl have when he was in a concentration camp? Explain. How can you apply it to your life?
The freedom to choose the attitude with which to face his fate. The freedom to find meaning even in the most absurd of circumstances.
You can choose the attitude with which you go to school.
How can we construct meaning from absurdity? Give an example.
By changing our attitude. For example, we might not find meaning in coming to Philosophy class because we will be studying engineering, but it is a stepping stone towards a high school diploma which is necessary to go to college and become an engineer.
If you want to go to college, what are the thing you cannot control?
The cost of college
Available scholarships (that you might be eligible for, and you might need to compete with others to get it)
How many places there are for what I want to study and how many other people want to go there (so I will have to compete with them to earn a spot)
The requisites for studying in that college (if you come from a certain high school you might pass directly, or the entry exam could be about knowledge or aptitud, they might ask for an essay, etc.)
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she lies saying he is not home. The assasin then leaves and Tony is saved. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Utilitarianism?
Yes because she saved Tony's life and nobody got hurt.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she tells the truth saying he is in the kitchen. The assasin then goes to the kitchen and kills him. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Kantian Ethics?
Yes, she told the truth. The only one to blame for the tragedy is the hitman.
If you want to be quarterback in your football team but decide not to train because you already are the best player in your team, not trainning is a use of your freedom or license? Explain.
License. When we make bad choices, we tend to blame others (How could I have known? The coach did not push me enough. I was too busy, etc.) You might think your choices don't hurt anyone, but you would be wrong. If you do not train you hurt your team by not being the best player you can be. Furthermore, someone else could come along and earn your spot on the team. That is why we should always try to make good choices. (You can quit the team if it is too much, or be your best version for the team. Both are acceptable. Not trainning and still wanting to be in the team is not the best choice for everyone invovled though.)
What does Sartre mean by "existence precedes essence"? Give examples.
That human beings are not born with an essence, we create our essence by our choices: if we decide to work hard we become hard workers, if we tell the truth we become truthful, if we act with sincere intentions we become honest, if we decide to act irresponsibly and blame others we become slanderers, if we decide to hold grudges we become spiteful, etc.
If you had to repeat your life over and over again for eternity without being able to change a thing, would you consider it heaven or hell? He believes we should live with no regrets, because even the bad things that happen to us make us who we are and we need to be fine with who and where we are each day. That's our job for the day.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she tells the truth saying he is in the kitchen. The assasin then goes to the kitchen and kills him. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Utilitarianism?
No because Tony died which was not what resulted in the most happyness for most people.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she lies saying he is not home. The assasin then leaves and Tony is saved. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Kantian Ethics?
No because she lied, even if Tony survived.