Philosophy – Critical thinking and writing

Read the instructions, choose 1 topic out of the 4 listed and write a 1.5 pages following the topic you chose

Guidelines:

This assignment is worth 5 points. Turn this in at the end of the term via “turn-it-in” within Canvas. . Use MLA guidelines. All references should be properly documented. Using MLA guidelines, properly document any references or ideas that are not your own. WARRNING: DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A LEGITIMATE SOURCE. ANY USE OF WIKIPEDIA WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO. USE ONLY TRUE PROFESSIONAL SOURCES. The purpose of this assignment is for you to intellectually explore a topic, issue, problem, or figure relevant to our course material. The readings from our course should be the primary “source” that you utilize. Practice standards of good writing. Have a clear thesis. Devise evidence for your thesis. Make a sound, logically constructed argument. Proofread vigorously. Correct English grammar is expected.

Topics:

(1) Consider Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism (chapter 2). Is Marcus’ view that virtue of character is the only intrinsic good plausible? Consider Marcus’ conception of the cosmos and Camus’ conception of the cosmos. Explain the radical differences between the two.

(2) Watch the film Woman in the Dunes, 1964 by Hiroshi Teshigahara. In what ways is the film a redoing of the Myth of Sisyphus? What are the similarities and differences between Camus’ view and the view expressed by the film?

(3) Consider Pascal’s Wager as discussed in chapter 4. Is this a good and worthy reason to believe in God? Would God approve of belief in Him on that basis?

(4) One of the primary goals of Buddhism is to go out of existence (permanently). Some thinkers, such as Tolstoy and Walker, think that permeant extinction eradicates any hope for meaning in life. Whose view is more promising, the Buddhist view or the Tolstoy / Walker vi