| Honors Introduction to Philosophy | Richard Lee |
| Philosophy 2003 H 001, 002 | Spring 2008 |
[Be sure you are familiar with the format and ground rules for this exam.]
Questions will be referred to by their "names," listed to their left.
| "Name" | Question | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-METH |
Explain in detail the Socratic method, giving examples.
| P-CAV | Explain Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." What are the various
elements of it supposed to symbolize? What does the allegory say about
Plato's view of what reality is and what philosophy is? Critically
discuss.
| P-SWA | Socrates says "I am looking for one virtue, I have found you
to have a whole swarm of them." What is it that Socrates is looking for?
Why is he unsatisfied with the "swarm?" Explain how he talks Meno into
his position that "the virtue of all is the same." Critically
discuss.
| P-77B | What
account of virtue does Meno offer at 77b and how does Socrates critique
that account?
| P-BAD | Explain Socrates' argument that "no one wants what is bad."
Critically discuss the argument.
| P-SEK | Meno
asks "How will you look for it, Socrates, when you do not know at all what
it is?" What is the problem Meno is pointing out here? How does Socrates
propose to solve it? Does he succeed? Critically discuss.
| P-REC | Explain Socrates' theory of recollection. What problem was it
supposed to solve? Does it do so? Why or why not? Critically
discuss.
| P-GEO | What
points (other than points about geometry) does Socrates try to bring out
in his extended example of working a geometry problem with a slave boy?
Does the example serve well to illustrate those points? Critically
discuss.
| P-CAN | How
does Socrates argue that virtue can be taught? Explicate and
critically discuss the argument.
| P-CNT | How
does Socrates argue that virtue cannot be taught? Explicate and
critically discuss the argument.
| P-K&O | Compare and contrast knowledge and right
opinion, as seen by Socrates. Which, if either, is more valuable, and
why? Critically discuss.
| |
| "Name" | Question |
|---|---|
| OL-TOM | What does Mill mean by "tyranny of the majority?" Explain what it is and why Mill thinks it is a problem. Critically discuss. |
| OL-VSP | State and explain the "one very simple principle" which Mill asserts is "entitled to govern absolutely the dealing of society ..." Give examples of applications of this principle. What, according to Mill, are the limits of the principle (viz., where does it apply and where does it not apply)? Critically discuss. |
| OL-HAR | Explain the harm principle, as stated by Lee, and how it differs from paternalism and other competing principles of limitations on liberty. Give examples where the principles would give different answers about what a person should or should not be allowed to do (without legal constraint). Critically discuss. |
| OL-SPH | Mill talks of a "sphere of action in which society ... has, if any, only an indirect interest ..." How does Mill demarcate that sphere? What three parts does Mill think comprise this sphere? Give examples of what Mill would claim about what individuals and society can and cannot do in the parts of this sphere. Critically discuss. |
| OL-DIL | In discussing "silencing the expression of an opinion" Mill offers a dilemma Explain this dilemma and both of its "horns." What is his conclusion. Critically evaluate his argument. |
| OL-4DG | Near the end of chapter II of On Liberty Mill reviews "four distinct grounds" for "the necessity to the mental well-being of mankind ... of freedom of opinion, and the freedom of expression of opinion." Explain these four grounds. Is it ever correct to suppress someone's opinion? If not, why not? If so, is this consistent with Mill's argument? If so, explain. If not, where does Mill's argument go wrong? Critically discuss. |
| OL-SCO | Mill argues (in chapter III) that "it is important to give the freest scope possible to uncustomary things ...." What does he mean by that? What is his argument? Critically discuss. |
| OL-POL | In the final paragraph of chapter IV Mill addresses polygamy. Explain what polygamy, as Mill understands it, is. Does Mill believe it should be permitted or not? Why? Critically discuss. |
| OL-BRI | In chapter V Mill explores a case of "a person attempting to cross a bridge which has been ascertained to be unsafe." What does Mill say should be done in this case? Why? Is this consistent with his principles? Why or why not? Critically discuss. |
| OL-TAX | In chapter V Mill considers whether it is permissible for the state to tax "stimulants" (e.g. alcohol). What does Mill say on this issue? Why? Is this consistent with his principles? Why or why not? Critically discuss. |
| OL-SLA | According to Mill should it be allowed for a person to sell himself or herself into slavery? Why or why not? Is what he says consistent with Mill's principles? Why or why not? Critically discuss. |