Philosopher s Connections TASK ONE: Read through the following slides to learn about the different philosophers we will be studying. You do not need to take notes, just read.
TRUTH Richard Rorty John Stuart Mill Immanuel Kant -American Philosopher -1931-2007 -Professor at prestigious American universities -BELIEF- Relativism: no such thing as a single truth for everyone everyone has his/her own set of truths -British Philosopher -isolated as a child so he could study, ended up having a nervous breakdown went on to be very successful -BELIEF- Utilitarianism: The moral worth of an action depends on its results not on the truth you should choose the course of action that will do the greatest good -German philosopher -1724-1804 -lived a very strict and predictable life (neighbors would set their clocks by his daily walk) -BELIEF- Deontology: There are some absolute moral rules that everyone should follow (telling truth) the results are irrelevant.
Thomas Hobbes JUSTICE John Locke -1588-1679 -Abandoned by his father -believed that humans were basically selfish creatures who would do anything to better their position -Government is created and legitimized by its citizens. If you live in a country, you agree to abide by its rules; therefore, you have a contract with the country. -in favor of an absolute monarchy -1632-1704 -English Philosopher -his writings influenced the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution -believed that humans are governed by a law of nature that says we should not harm others or ourselves
Plato LOVE Montaigne C.S. Lewis -Classical Greek Philosopher -424/423 BC 348/347 BC -Love is rational there are reasons behind it -True love is directed toward true beauty (same amount of beauty = same amount of love) -1533-1599 -influential writer of the French Renaissance -love is irrational there is no reason behind it -1898-1963 -novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, essayist, theologian -4 kinds of love: Romance Friendship Family love Religious love
BEAUTY Socrates Hume -famous Greek philosopher -objectivism: beauty is not a matter of personal taste; it is a fact -he said that human beings are born with natural knowledge of beauty. If someone disagrees, they just need to try harder -famous Scottish Philosopher -subjectivism: beauty is a matter of personal taste; one s idea of beauty comes from one s experiences - This work of art is beautiful is a matter of taste, an opinion, and if one disagrees, it s okay, not wrong.
REALITY Zeno of Citium Epicurus -Stoic a person who accepts everything that happens without emotion, someone who accepts reality as it is and is against doing anything to alter this reality (drinking, dying your hair, watching Spiderman) - Reality follows the laws of nature, so we should never be surprised by anything or expect to change our -Zeno s rival -He believed life was about pursuing pleasure and that we can control our futures - Many believe this is an avoidance of reality: to only do things that make you happy is not a true reality.
MEANING OF LIFE St. Thomas Aquinas Life s objective value Our existence is important and has a purpose, despite how we feel about it DESTINY (will you be a man who discovers a cure for cancer or a man who goes to prison for murder it s up to destiny) Jean-Paul Sartre Life s subjective value We have to impose meaning on our existence in order for it to have purpose and importance We do this by making commitments and working on projects we find satisfying (what is important is how you feel about what you re doing, not necessarily what you re doing)
TASK TWO: Current Connection 1. Select a movie or book that relates to our six topics. 2. Think about this movie or book through the lens of the different philosophers. 3. Select a philosophy, and create a powerpoint slide including the views of both philosophers listed on the slide. Each explanation should contain 3-5 sentences. 4. Repeat two more times with a different philosophy topic. (3 slides TOTAL). 5. Print and paste on pages 14, 15 & 16 of Philosophy Journal. VIEW EXAMPLE ON NEXT SLIDE.
Beauty in Snow White Socrates Socrates would agree with the wicked queen; in fact, Snow White is the fairest of them all. Because beauty is NOT in the eye of the beholder, the wicked queen, her mirror, all seven dwarfs, and the huntsman are entranced by Snow White s captivating beauty. She is a standard of beauty that all can appreciate. Hume Hume might counter that though the Queen finds Snow White s beauty unsurpassed, to others, she may be a mere plain, homely girl. Hume would encourage the wicked queen with his advice: though she may find Snow White the fairest, some may consider the wicked queen s aging appearance attractive.