.. My homework is to chose a philosophical question and then answer it!
Step 1: I need a question!
THANK YOU! :-)
2007-09-18 06:28:04 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Here's one from a college philosophy class. I think it really happened in WWII: You are the mayor of a town that has been invaded by rebels. The rebels tell you they will either kill you and 4 other residents or you have to pick out five people to be killed. What would you do?
Why so many thumbs down? I think it's an interesting case scenario.
2007-09-18 06:33:50 · answer #1 · answered by erins_kotybear 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
What is the question to the meaning of life, the answer to which is 42? Ha ha.
Seriously, here's the question: Are all religions correct, or is atheism the way foward?
I suggest reading A Sneaking Suspicion by John Dixon, the chapter on God's Elephant.
He tells a story about a group of blind-folded children clambering around on an elephant. One is on the trunk and is shouting at the others: "It's a fire hose, I know it is!". Another is on the tail: "No, no, it's a piece of rope!". A third is wrapped around one leg. "You're both wrong, it's a tree trunk!". The fourth is holding onto an ear: "No, it's more a banana leaf!". The fifth and final child was feeling a tusk: "Nope, I'm right - it's a knife!"
A man walks past and sees this and thinks to himself. "They're all wrong, it's an elephant. Can't they see that?".
John Dixon says this is like Christianity and the other religions. I would tend to agree with him but I respect the fact that others wont agree.
He says Christianity has the big picture of what's really going on, while the other religions have an inkling but don't have the full thing, while others (like Athiests) don't like the guessing game and give up trying altogether.
Feel free to use this in your homework. John Dixon wrote it, I'm just quoting it more or less. If you want a better understanding, then read the book. I think it's fascinating.
2007-09-18 09:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by dontpanic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you asking for the question or help?
Since your headline post indicates your request as help "to think of a great...question," I will help.
Avoid beating a dead horse and stay away from the following topics: truth, love, happiness or the divine. Your fellow students will vigorously attack these topics with abandon and, regrettably, will likely either plagarize someone else's perspective or offer a shoddy response.
Be original, yet simple and applicable. In other words, develop a question that applies to our lives in a practical sense, that forces us to rethink an intuitive response, that invovles public policy challenges today.
Consider a citizen's right to healthcare, or the appropriateness of capital punishment or protectionism in trade relations. And pick a topic of interest to you.
Do you like animals? Is forced sterilization appropriate? How about the eithical treatment of animals in contrast with the potential benefits gained in their mistreatment?
Do you like sports? What is your take on performance-enhancing (and illicit) drugs?
Or more simply, where does the state draw the line in legislating healthy standards? Or in protecting America at the cost of their civil liberties?
Good luck. And remember to keep your question simple. Instead, focus on a complete and thought-provoking response!
2007-09-18 07:32:46 · answer #3 · answered by el_dormilon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of people who use self-talk to handle what is going on inside their minds. When self-talk is not monitored cautiously it can lead to drastic effects not only on one’s personality but also affects its mentality and psychology. Self-talk is a type of conversation which we conduct with ourselves. In literature we call it soliloquy. Brain’s reticular activating system never forgets what we repeat again and again. Ironically this system can not recognize what is beneficial to the individual and what is not. Think you can, think you can't; either way, you'll be right- a saying goes like this. Therefore when ever we ‘talk’ with ourselves, we should be cautious, very cautious in fact. There are a lot of audio programs which can help and there are a lot of online books. If I recall there is a book ‘self-talk solutions’ which is every effective in this scenario.
2007-09-18 06:50:28 · answer #4 · answered by b_banth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about basing it on a quotation from one of the greats? I am thinking in particular (for example) of Karl Marx "religion is the opium of the people", Jean Paul Sartre "hell is other people", or Leonardo da Vinci's take that some people's only function in life is to "fill latrines" You could argue the pros and cons of any of those!
2007-09-19 13:43:28 · answer #5 · answered by steffi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is a good deed necessarily a helpful one because if you try to help people out you might think your doing them good but might in fact be creating more trouble for them. U can thank my BRAIN 4 that
2007-09-18 06:46:14 · answer #6 · answered by Wally 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did Socrates run to the mob for philosophical ponderings? (note - this question is allegorical and rhetorical, no philosophy here)
2007-09-18 07:27:51 · answer #7 · answered by second only to trollalalala 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do I know my body exists and I'm not just a brain in a vat being fed sensory information?
(Essentially, it's the Descartes question updated for modern society.)
2007-09-18 06:36:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How have the world religions responded to the Age of Reason?
2007-09-18 22:03:08 · answer #9 · answered by crispy1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm......... OK:
What is it in your personality, world-view, and belief(s) about people, that makes you believe that you'll get a great and thought-provoking question from a group of total strangers just by asking?
Doug
2007-09-18 06:34:35 · answer #10 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋