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184 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the role of Marx in core 250?
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-determinist
- you are not as free as you think you are |
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Who are the two influences of Marx?
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-Hagel and Feuerbach
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Explain the dialectic of Hegel.
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-idea/mind/spirit (something universal out there)
-thesis (what is true) gives rise to antithesis (what is not true) -synthesis combines the best of both- new thesis and new antithesis -each step is better than the step before |
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Describe the relationship between old hegelians vs. young hegelians.
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• Old Hegelians-we are done with this process; we have reached the final synthesis
o Conservative politics • Young Hegelian- we are in the middle of the progress; we have to attack the existing order in order to progress to the next stage o “Burn baby burn” o Revolutionary politics o Marx |
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Explain Feuerbach in relation to marx.
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-only material forces--no "idea/mind/spirit"
-Hagel's system devalues humanity |
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What is the synthesis of Hegel(dialectic) and Feuerbach(materialism).
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-Results in Marx (dialectical materialism)
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What is the cause of alienation in Marx's economic theory?
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-we work for our existence, it is not part of our essence
-we need to pay the bills |
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What are the types of alienation in Marx's economic theory?
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-from our labor
-from the products of our labor -from ourselves -we have two selves: the on the job self and the off the job self -the harder we work, the less we are worth (relative to the products we make) -from each other -we compete for jobs -different class interests |
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What is an example of alienation in marx's economic theory?
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-Forrest's factory experience
-one day they made as many things as they could -played hearts with salesman -resulted in being alienated by his co-workers |
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Role of classes in Marx's alientation theory.
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-class conflict between lower, middle, and upper classes
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What is the role of private property in alienation in Marx's theory?
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-not concerned with owning cars, homes, etc...but
-who owns the means of production? (the person who gets the extra money) |
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Explain objective development in Marx's theory of history.
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-everything is ultimately determined
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Explain economic determinism in Marx's theory of history.
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1. Basis-production and distribution of goods
2. Superstructure-politics, religion, laws, etc. Examples: People who joined the Presbyterian Church were middle class. If you have money you go the a free(bible) church. -rapist vs. bank robber |
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Explain the role of religion in Marx's theory of history.
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• Opiate of the masses (keeps you drugged up so you don’t notice that you’re getting ripped off)
o About keeping you down |
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What are the five stages of historical development in Marx's theory of history?
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1. Primitive Community- people live in bush; nothing to own
-starvation is antithesis 2. Slavery-belong to individual 3. Feudalism-belong to land 4. Capitalism-better cuz you get to sell yourself and get an illusion of freedom 5. Socialism a. The workers take over (“dictatorship of the proletariat”) - have to have a Hobbsian govt. b. State withers away |
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Explain change and revolution in the Marx's theory of history.
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-workers might have to kill those who own the means of production
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Explain Marx's idea of communism.
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• Nature: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”
• Example from Mao o Workers mad that pregnant women were getting more rice when they worked longer o Acts 2: 44-45 |
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What is Marx's response to the question why not in industrialized countries?
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• Every country that has had a Marxist revolution were feudal societies
• Answer- this is a problem—trying to do 2 things at once |
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What is Marx's response to the statement, "the state will wither away."?
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• Answer—hey, we are new at this (only since 1917)
• Answer—no real communist countries (all of them use communism as an excuse for a dictatorship • Answer—It will only work if it works for the WHOLE world at once |
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What is Marx's response to the statement that, "marxism doesn't understand human nature."?
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-Answer--you have been taught to be greedy
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What is Marx's legacy?
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• The USA and the Communist Manifesto
-we have versions of 9 and 10 points -emphasis on the material forces in history -determinism -you are determined by your ecomonic class -the role of the knower in what is known -post modernism |
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What was Bakunin's criticisms of Marx?
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-marxism does not understand human nature
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4 Steps of the scientific method
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Observation
Hypothesis Procedure Experiment |
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What is cell theory?
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-all living organisms are composed of cells
-all cells come from pre-existing cells |
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How is cell theory useful?
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• UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE FORMS FROM BACTERIA TO CLYDESDALES
• UNDERSTANDING OF GENETICS • STEM CELL RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES |
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What is the problem with cell theory?
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-it leaves no place for a beginning
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What is the usefulness of the statement: You are 60% water and the remaining part is carbon derived from air?
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-determines the IV you will have in a trauma situation
-underlies all understanding of carbon and energy flow through food chains and ecosystems |
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4 Steps of the scientific method
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Observation
Hypothesis Procedure Experiment |
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What is cell theory?
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-all living organisms are composed of cells
-all cells come from pre-existing cells |
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How is cell theory useful?
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• UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE FORMS FROM BACTERIA TO CLYDESDALES
• UNDERSTANDING OF GENETICS • STEM CELL RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES |
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What is the problem with cell theory?
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-it leaves no place for a beginning
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What is the usefulness of the statement: You are 60% water and the remaining part is carbon derived from air?
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-determines the IV you will have in a trauma situation
-underlies all understanding of carbon and energy flow through food chains and ecosystems |
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What are Darwin's 5 observations?
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• ALL SPECIES HAVE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE NUMBERS DRAMATICALLY (EXPONENTIAL POPULATION GROWTH! LIKE RATS)
• POPULATION NUMBERS OVER TIMES DO NOT FLUCTUATE MUCH • RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND FAIRLY CONSTANT • NO TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE THE SAME – GREAT DIVERSITY EXISTS WITHIN A SPECIES (HE WAS A KEEN OBSERVER) • MUCH OF THE VARIABILITY IS HERITABLE |
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What are Darwin's three inferences?
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• ‘STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE’ COMPETITION OCCURS – ONLY SOME SURVIVE AND REPRODUCE
• SURVIVAL IS NOT RANDOM – TRAITS THAT ENHANCE SURVIVAL ARE PASSED ON • OVER TIME, THERE IS AN ACCUMULATION OF THESE TRAITS AND THE SPECIES CHANGES |
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What does transmutation predict?
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-taxonomy-how we categorize things
-sickle cell anemia, etc. |
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What does transmutation NOT predict?
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• THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
• THE ORIGIN OF LIFE o HAVE TO HAVE LIFE TO REPRODUCE IN EVOLUTION THEORY • WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO, ONLY WHAT IS o DOESN’T EVEN PREDICT WELL WHAT THINGS ARE USEFUL • SOCIAL STATUS OR VALUE OF PEOPLE |
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What did Lamarck conclude?
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-conscious drive an inheritance of acquired traits; we can change ourselves
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What did Wallace conclude?
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-also conceived of the idea of natural selection
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What did Darwin accomplish?
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-wrote "The origin of the species"
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What questions must a theory answer?
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-What does it predict?
-Can it be tested? -Can it be disproven? -scientific theory? -belief? -useful but provisional model? -eternal truth? |
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What is intelligent design?
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CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE UNIVERSE AND OF LIVING THINGS EXHIBIT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PRODUCT RESULTING FROM "AN INTELLIGENT CAUSE OR AGENT, AS OPPOSED TO AN UNGUIDED PROCESS SUCH AS NATURAL SELECTION"
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Explain natural selection also known as the basic theory of evolution.
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THERE IS UNDIRECTED VARIATION IN OFFSPRING.
-I DON’T LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MY SIBLINGS SOME TRAITS ENHANCE SURVIVAL. -SQUIRRELS: DETERMINES WHICH ONES SHALL LIVE IF THE TRAIT ENHANCES SURVIVAL SUCH THAT REPRODUCTION IS INCREASED THEN THE TRAIT WILL BE PASSED ALONG TO THE NEXT GENERATION LESS ADVANTAGED ARE SELECTED OUT AND THEIR GENES PERISH WITH THEM. -IF YOU LIVE LONGER YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO REPRODUCE |
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What are Darwin's 5 observations?
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• ALL SPECIES HAVE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE NUMBERS DRAMATICALLY (EXPONENTIAL POPULATION GROWTH! LIKE RATS)
• POPULATION NUMBERS OVER TIMES DO NOT FLUCTUATE MUCH • RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND FAIRLY CONSTANT • NO TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE THE SAME – GREAT DIVERSITY EXISTS WITHIN A SPECIES (HE WAS A KEEN OBSERVER) • MUCH OF THE VARIABILITY IS HERITABLE |
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What are Darwin's three inferences?
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• ‘STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE’ COMPETITION OCCURS – ONLY SOME SURVIVE AND REPRODUCE
• SURVIVAL IS NOT RANDOM – TRAITS THAT ENHANCE SURVIVAL ARE PASSED ON • OVER TIME, THERE IS AN ACCUMULATION OF THESE TRAITS AND THE SPECIES CHANGES |
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What does transmutation predict?
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-taxonomy-how we categorize things
-sickle cell anemia, etc. |
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What does transmutation NOT predict?
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• THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
• THE ORIGIN OF LIFE o HAVE TO HAVE LIFE TO REPRODUCE IN EVOLUTION THEORY • WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO, ONLY WHAT IS o DOESN’T EVEN PREDICT WELL WHAT THINGS ARE USEFUL • SOCIAL STATUS OR VALUE OF PEOPLE |
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What did Lamarck conclude?
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-conscious drive an inheritance of acquired traits; we can change ourselves
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What did Wallace conclude?
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-also conceived of the idea of natural selection
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What did Darwin accomplish?
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-wrote "The origin of the species"
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What questions must a theory answer?
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-What does it predict?
-Can it be tested? -Can it be disproven? -scientific theory? -belief? -useful but provisional model? -eternal truth? |
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What is intelligent design?
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CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE UNIVERSE AND OF LIVING THINGS EXHIBIT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PRODUCT RESULTING FROM "AN INTELLIGENT CAUSE OR AGENT, AS OPPOSED TO AN UNGUIDED PROCESS SUCH AS NATURAL SELECTION"
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Explain natural selection also known as the basic theory of evolution.
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THERE IS UNDIRECTED VARIATION IN OFFSPRING.
-I DON’T LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MY SIBLINGS SOME TRAITS ENHANCE SURVIVAL. -SQUIRRELS: DETERMINES WHICH ONES SHALL LIVE IF THE TRAIT ENHANCES SURVIVAL SUCH THAT REPRODUCTION IS INCREASED THEN THE TRAIT WILL BE PASSED ALONG TO THE NEXT GENERATION LESS ADVANTAGED ARE SELECTED OUT AND THEIR GENES PERISH WITH THEM. -IF YOU LIVE LONGER YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO REPRODUCE |
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What is Darwin's prevailing worldview?
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-now everything is part of this natural world including human beings (we are organisms too!)
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Explain Freud's determinism.
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-internal, individual
-What are the things that you carry with you that shapes you on a daily basis? |
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What is Freud's place in the history of science?
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-a new revolution happened because of tools
-new tools allowed them to see things that had never been seen before -ex. telescope, microscope |
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Freud's epistemology?
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-empiricism
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Freud's metaphysics?
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-materialism (He worships and admires Feuerbach the most)
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What was the personal paradigm shift during Freud's time?
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-glimpses of the unconscious
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What did hypnotic suggestion do for the world?
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-experimenting with the mind
-there's more to behavior than physiology -showed the power of the unconscious -frailty of reason |
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What is the importance of the case of "Anna O"?
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-21 yrs old, part of upperclass family, thought only her father understood her, but her father was dying
-soon developed strange symptoms *showed the power of anxiety and that symptoms have a purpose |
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What did Charcot and Breuer believe?
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"It's always sex!"
-sex is the basis of many problems Charcot was seeing -even Anna O demonstrated this when she said, "Here cometh Dr. B's child after Breuer told Anna he would no longer be treating her |
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What are the four paths to the unconscious?
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-free association
-interpretation of parapraxes -interpretation of transference: from past to present -interpretation of dreams: the "royal road" to the unconscious |
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Define free association.
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-removing censorship- say whatever comes to mind
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Define interpretation of parapraxes.
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-freudian slips - no behavior is accidental, every behavior comes from some where
-ex. slip of pen, tongue, or body |
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Explain interpretation of transference.
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-there is something from the past that is projected on the present
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Explain the interpretation of dreams.
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-wish-fulfillment
ex. "dream of irma's injection" -Doctor in Freud's dream said that Irma was injected with a dirty needle -Freud's dream told of his wish of Irma not getting better to not be his problem |
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Who is the knower in Freud's epistemology?
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-the individual
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What are Freud's levels of consciousness?
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-conscious, unconscious (& preconscious- material we don't remember right away but we can retrieve it)
-1/7 is above the water and the rest is below water -It is really difficult to draw things out of the unconscious |
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What is psychic energy, Libido?
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-your mind is never asleep. it is always active
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What are the three characteristics of the "tripartite mind"?
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1.Id
2. Ego 3. Superego |
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Define Id.
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-unconscious, irrational- PLEASURE (Eros)
Primary instincts: Sex (eros) life-seeking, sexual (later) Thanatos--destruction |
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Define Ego.
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-rational--REALITY
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Define superego.
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-ideal self--MORALITY
-this sets our expectations for how we out to be -cultural expectations which we are socialized to acquire |
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What are the implications of the tripartite mind?
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1. Conflict- our minds are always in conflict
2. Anxiety- what life is like, restlessness 3. Power of the unconscious |
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According to Freud, what are we determined by?
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1. unconscious instincts
2. Defense mechanisms -against what? -repression - FORGETTING that protects us from society -rationalization- JUSTIFYING 3. Development |
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What are the stages of development according to Freud?
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Stages: oral (food and drink), anal (toilet training and body control), phallic (Oedipal)- boys competition with father, realizes differences between boys and girls
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What are the patterns of development according to Freud?
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-set by 5 years old that control you for the rest of your life
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What is the main point of development according Freud?
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-we are determined by our experiences
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What are some of the major themes from Freud's CIVILIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS?
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A. Human nature: the reality of aggression
• Forms of warfare, sarcasm, or even mean-spirited humor • All evidence of our Thanatos drive B. Civilization: constraint through internalization/guilt (superego) • There to keep us in check. • This is opposite of Rousseau’s ideas. C. We both need and hate civilization |
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What is Freud's legacy?
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A. An unsettling view of “the state of nature” (anthropology)
--Passionate, unconscious, impulse-driven --Determined B. An upsetting view of reason --limited --distorted- it is wrong at least some of the time -woman who grabbed umbrella gave a completely wrong answer C. A new day for science…thanks to Freud (and Einstein) --Exploration of the INVISIBLE --SUBJECTIVE knowing- each one of us is individual of our world |
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What is behaviorism?
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-modern scientific worldview applied to human behavior
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What are Pavlov's contributions to Skinner?
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-classical conditioning
ex. salivation experiment |
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What are Watson's contributions to Skinner?
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-little Albert experiment-loud clash associated with white furry animals
-probably creates a lot of our fears |
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What are the elements of a behavioralist worldview?
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-determinism
-evolutionary continuity-we exist on one long continuum with every other animal -we operate by the same laws as the other animals -reductionism-you are merely the sum of your behaviors (there is nothing more) -empiricism-all that we can count on is what we can see as human beings -we are both controller and controlled |
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What are Skinner's assumptions about man?
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1. Empty organism-we don't really come with things built in
2. Environmental causes of behavior- our behaviors are acquired from our environment -"man is machine..." -mechanistic view of human behavior 3. central law: "Those behaviors that have been rewarded will be repeated." |
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What are Skinner's laws based on consequences?
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1. Positive reinforcement- introduce positive consequences
-makes a behavior more likely to happen again 2. Negative reinforcement-remove a negative consequence or condition 3. Punishment-introduce negative consequence 4. Extinction- no consequences |
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Describe Skinner's schedules of reinforcement.
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1. Continuous- shaping successive approximations
-(shaping)-small individual behaviors that are shaped and put together to create a desired outcome 2. Intermittent Fixed-after a fixed perios of time (ex. going to work after a week and getting a paycheck) Variable-random |
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What are the mental processes according to Skinner?
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-reason is irrelevant
-Private (thoughts and feelings) and public events subject to the same laws -self-knowledge is limited-precise language creates more precise knowledge -thoughts do not cause behaviors-environment causes both thoughts and behaviors |
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What are Skinner's implications for ethics?
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1. Critics- Is there morality without freedom?
2. Supporters- Are we responsible for the environment we create for others? |
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What are Skinner's implications for society?
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-all problems are behavioral problems
-"Freedom is an illusion"-freedom means getting sufficient reward -we claim "freedom" inconsistently |
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What is Skinner's legacy?
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-practical applications
-parenting, teaching, business (employee of the month), judicial -continuing traditions of science |
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Skinner's metaphysics?
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-materialism
-reductionism-no self and no essence |
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Skinner's epistemology?
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-paradox of rationalism (complete empiricist)
-undermines the power of rationality because reason makes no difference in our lives. Only the environment matters. |
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What two basic criticisms did Kierkegaard stand against?
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-Hegel and the Danish lutheran church
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Explain Kierkegaard's criticism Hegel.
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(mind/body/spirit)
1. Why do we assume things are progressing? -Devo (we're devolving. we're getting worse) 2. All oppositions are "swallowed" up -this creates apathy and is demoralizing -Kierkegaard advocates an "either/or" 3. Irrelevant to everyday life -Philosphical Fragnments -Unscientific Postscript to the Fragments 4. There is NO FREEDOM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL!!!!!!!! |
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Explain Kierkegaard's criticism of the Danish Lutheran Church.
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-had accepted Hegelian thought
-made Christiantity "rational" -Denmark= Christian country so.... -Christian cows? -Thought-experiment -WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE TRUE!!!! -more than that, Kierkegaard objects to any group--even a church |
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Describe's Kierkegaard's stages on life's way.
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1. Aesthetic
-live for pleasure -categories: boring/excitng -most people live their lives here -ex of Don Juan, the seducer -not adequate and leaves us in dread and anxiety 2. Ethical -some people move here -give up their own pleasure for the good of others indiviudals -categories: good/bad (or evil) -ex of the faithful married men who encounters women (knight of infinite resignation) 3. Religious -very few people reach this -give up--even out ethics--to God -categories: belief/unbelief -knight of faith(ideal) -abraham and isaac -absolutely no reason to kill isaac except that God asked -Abraham tempted ethically cuz not ok to kill your children |
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What is the knight of infinite resignation?
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-this is the ideal, the person that constantly gives him/herself infinitely
-Agamemnon-get stuck on an island without food or supplies -he had to sacrifice his daughter to gain back the wind -ends up saving everybody else |
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What level was Kierkegaard at?
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-at ethical level cuz God never gave Regina back
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Describe objective truth according to Kierkegaard.
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1. the agony of decisions: despair
2. the unacceptable cure for the agony: objective truth -definition-truth for which there are objective criteria to determine truth of falsehood -historical- it has always been that way in the past. therefore, it should be that way in the future -speculative truths -Problems -existentially different -lacks values (Is does not equal ought) -does not tell me how to live -examples- What about God? -Result -Denial (we think we can figure it all out) -Despair (no matter what I do I might be wrong) |
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Describes subjective truth according to Kierkegaard.
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-We are what we do. (not--as Descartes--what we think)
-It's what you do that matters Metaphysically -there are real values, real truths -there really is a God, but... Epistemology -my knowledge is always my knowledge -it is always subjective -we need involved knowing (i.e., subjective), not detached knowing(i.e., objective) Examples- Descartes taking a small step of faith. Soren says no you must take a leap of faith. Leap of faith (intuition) |
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Criticism and response to Kierkegaard's objective and subjective truth.
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-doesn't that mean you could believe anything?
-"It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are really, really sincere?" -NO! Could you really give yourself wholey to singer--no matter how awesome? -no, only to christ -Remember: Epistemologically subjective, metaphysiclaly objective... |
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What is the conclusion to Kierkegaard's beliefs?
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1. Reason can help us to understand, but is won't tell us how to live.
2. Knowledge is tied to the will. 3. Existentialist in that first I exist and then I create a standard by my choices. 4. Strong emphasis on the freedom of the individual |
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Describe Nietzsche's ides of the will to power.
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-it is born into and active in everyone
-a will to dominant over the environment -the desire to impress other people/ to come first -all transactions are power transactions -repression- will to power should not be channeled into a variety of things |
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Describe the hero.
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-the purpose of all culture
-the unique individual who sets out despite all of the mediocrity around him to achieve something important |
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Describe the herd.
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-the tame crowd
-lovers of the status quo -brain dead TV addicts...etc. -there to produce a couple of great individuals -the rest are unimportant **3 things: -they are unthinking and afraid of the new -the believe in the old truths because they opiate the mind -the put you to sleep -the herd is filled with resentment at anyone who is in any way superior to the gutless whiner called the herd. |
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Describe the master morality.
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-morality of the heroes
-natural artistocrats- the kind of person who fills the room with their presence because they are masterful -tough, unafraid of suffering -they don't seek happiness because that is too ordinary -they are rich with power and not with pity -striving to achieve and not with pity -large minded, they live with style -never worry about what other people think -good is the dominant value -It is anything that is noble or trait that makes any man respected -bad is anything that is vulgar, ordinary, and lacking in class |
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Describe the slave morality.
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• Morality of the herd
• Originated with the slaves during the exiles in Babylon • Christians took it and perfected it to its greatest flowering o Made weakness into a virtue • A morality of manipulation o Slaves were trying to get their masters to act differently • Its beneficial to the weak and powerless • Good is anything that alleviates the situation of the under class o Friendliness, humility (it is really just a form of manipulative revenge) o Pride, strength, power are turned into sin • Evil is much more powerful than good o Sin is always threatening to overwhelm the individual |
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What does Nietzsche believe about God?
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-there never was a God, the sky is empty, you have to take responsibility for your own life
-For masters: no great impact -For the Herd: so talented at self delusion |
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What is the "Consolations of Man"?
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-all those ways that the herd uses to consol itself and make itself comfortable with the idea that God and morality exists
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What is the Ubermensch?
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-an individual who will overcome and make a great breakthrough
-not napolean, but Nietsche didn't make that breakthrough either -Jesus? Even Jesus didn't do it. |
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How is Nietzsche an existentialist?
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1. Values-created by the individual by their own choices and actions
2. Suffering-common experience of everyone 3. Freedom-we all have and we are terrified of it -we will do anything to get rid of it 4. Actions- create our own values |
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Define existentialism.
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1. Human beings are totally free.
2. We must choose. 3. Awareness of this leads to dread. |
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What was the book Nausea about?
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Antoine Roquentin
-a sweet sickness overcomes him -things that used to bring him joy now make him sick -everything in his life started disgusting him -gets a sense that there is no meaning in anything -when he accepts this truth he is free to make his own meaning |
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Explain the experience of Nausea.
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-seeing through the surface of things
-false meaning -Nausea= the realization that the universe is meaningless and absurd *There is no reason for me (or anything) to exist *so, human life is absurd *Then, I am free! |
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What is the human condition according to Sarte?
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We have radical freedom!
— I exist (Descartes) — There is no God (Nietzsche) — I am not alone *Hell is other people — I am free (Pico) **When we realize all of this, it leads to...anguish, forlornness, and despair RESULT: You are condemned to be free! |
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What is another major point about the human existence?
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Existence precedes Essence
-We exist first and get our essence later -We are not born with our essence *The analogy of the paper-cutter -Its purpose preceded its existence. -But we are not paper-cutters. *Your essence is not the labels, Your essence is defined by what you do. |
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What are the two kinds of existences in Sartes ethics?
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-being-in-itself
-being-for-itself |
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Explain being-in-itself.
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-something that is complete, fixed, without meaning
-the being of rocks and trees -they don't have any meaning |
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Explain being-for-itself.
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-something that is incomplete, fluid, with meaning
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What does Sarte say is our role in the being- (for) and (in)-itself?
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-we have a choice to be a being-in-itself or being-for-itself
-abdicates choice vs. makes authentic choices |
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What are humans responsibility according to Sartre?
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-say NO
-then take responsibility -good vs. bad faith |
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Define good faith.
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-accepting responsibility and owning your choices
-ex. Batman in Batman begins ("...It's what I do that defines me") |
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Define bad faith.
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-trying to avoid responsibility
-people that are pretending or faking it ex. adam & eve. (didn't claim that they sinned) *You don't have to do anything. Every action you make is your choice. |
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Define intersubjectivity.
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-there is a sense that we are tied to each other
-I am responsible for how I treat you because I know how it feels |
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What was Sartre's legacy?
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-charged people with the notion about living an authentic life
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What is de Beauvoire's definition of the "other"?
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-a person whose identity is defined only in terms of another autonomous person
-women as the "other" -what is a woman/ |
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What is the role of women vis-a-vis Men?
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-he is the norm, she is the other
-"he is the subject, he is the absolute--she is the other." -humanity is male by default -woman is the second sex -roles of women -in marriage (man is provider, woman is maintainer (her role is passive)) -in motherhood (only a mother because she has a child) |
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Define being-in-itself (women).
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-"other"
-object -dependent -immanent (limited) -contentment -bad faith |
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Define being-for-itself (men).
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-self
-subject -autonomous -transcendent (unlimited) -creativity -good faith |
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What are the three things that the Grand Inquisitor says humans need in Dost. reading?
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-miracle, mystery, authority
-miracle gives us someone to worship -mystery which gives us someone to keep our conscience -authority which would have given us someone to bring us into universal unity |
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What is the burden of freedom in Dost. reading?
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-Jesus gave us this which we cannot tolerate
-Jesus did not love human beings enough -He created a religion that is too hard and didn't give us the three things that we need the most |
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What was meant by Jesus kiss to the Grand Inquisitor?
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-he denies our want for reason and rationality to tell us what is true
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What are the two points that all existentialists agree on?
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-human freedom
-anxiety and avoidance |
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What is suffering's role in faith in the Dost. reading?
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-suffering is the ground/ foundation for freedom to believe and have faith
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What is the revisionist salvation history?
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-G. I. interogates Jesus about the three temptations
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What are the three temptations and their meanings in the Dost. reading?
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1. Stones into bread
-someone to worship 2. The leap from the temple -someone to keep my conscience 3. The kingdoms of this world -a craving for universal unity -Jesus should bow down to Satan and become king over all kingdoms |
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Explain knowledge according to modernism.
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1. Timeless
2. Certain 3. Foundational 4. Objective- without “divine grounding” 5. Generic knowers- undifferentiated generic human individuals |
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Define the enlightenment knower.
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1. Individual
2. Rational 3. Autonomous A “universal reader” – everybody is to read the same texts |
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Attack on modernism by Nietzsche.
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-reality is fragmented; we cannot make generalizations about it
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Attack on modernism by sophists?
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-little physical reality (physis)
-almost everything is nomos -custom, law, tradition |
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Attack on modernism by Kierkegaard?
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-need subjective truth; kind of truth that cannot be proved in a lab
-it must be living; leap of faith |
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What is characteristic of postmodernism?
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-the "end of the universe'- the uni-verse (one truth) no longer applies
-no more meta-narratives |
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What is meta-narrative?
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-the great stories that are told; anything that sets out to explain everything in things like science, religion, etc.
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Explain the characteristics of postmodern knowing.
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1. Historical & Contextual-knowledge is something that happens in histroy
2. Probable- we can’t have knowledge that is certain 3. Systemic – there are rules and approaches; within your system knowledge can be proved 4. Constructed: subjective – not objective and timeless 5. Known by Communities – no known by individuals; known in communities of knowers; we exist within multiple communities of knowing (within them are systemic understandings) |
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Explain the postmodern knower.
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1. Individual with a political identity “The Tourists”
2. Canons? – any body of officially approved texts (what is serious) 3. Plural truths |
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What is characteristic of multiculturalism?
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-canon -any body of officially approved texts
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How does the existence of a canon affect learning in the university?
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-proves that something is more important than another
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What are the four groups that respond to postmodernism?
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-cultural conservatives
-enlightened traditionalists -cultural separatists -multiculturalists |
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Explain the cultural conservatives.
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"Any encroachment is a threat to standards of excellence"
• It can be destroyed far easier than the tapestry was woven. • The canon and the curriculum are collections are the best because they have been narrowed and focused over the century • Want to keep the canons closed and keep reading these texts that are eternal and true |
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How do the marginalized voices attack the cultural conservatives?
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The canon is—
1. Unfair – fails to understand the experiences represented by different people 2. Inaccurate – really presents the views of a certain group (powerful, educated, wealthy, males) 3. Dangerous 4. The canon embodies a myth: The reader -DWEM- dead whit European male culture -euro-centric -this is one point of view, but it shouldn't be the only |
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Explain the enlightened traditionalists.
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• Open the canon- maintain it, but open it
o Does represent the best, but it’s not perfect or complete o We should be meeting more women literature or literature from Asian Americans, etc. • Train universal readers o Maintain the standards of excellence and we continue to train people to be universal generic readers -"open the canon" |
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Explain the cultural separatists.
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"equal, but separate"
• All canons are oppressive o We need to separate from them and recover our heritage and not let the dominant culture define us Then we get to say who we are • Recover our heritage o Positive role models o Self-esteem |
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Explain multiculturalists.
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-multiple traditions and identity politics
• Canons? – are oppressive even if they open it up and expand it o There isn’t on American experience, etc. • Multiple traditions – affirm these in contrast to each other o Analyze the dualities Who are the us? Who are them? Don’t rush to find reconciliation • Keep the contrast clear and strong • Teach identity politics o Recognize it and make it public, so that we know what is going on over the struggles between canons |
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What is feminism?
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-a series of scholarly and political movements
-an intellectual and political movement that seeks justice for women |
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What are the three waves of feminism?
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1—(pre-WWI) suffrage
-aimed at gaining the vote for women 2—(pre WW II) revival and radicalizing of political feminism -issue of social value 3—(late 20th century) postmodern influences on feminism -not fair to lump all women together because they have different experiences |
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How has the world of work sparked feminism?
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• The world of work: industrial revolution and the division of labor
o Upper and middle class women pull out of the work force o Women became more focused on private part of the family o WW I- women begin working again since men gone |
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How has the family structure sparked feminism?
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• Traditional “ideals” and vulnerability
• Popularized family is the best structure o Woman home full-time and man working full-time • Feminists concerned about the dependence of a woman in this structure o Issue of violence in the home (not always a fear for protection) |
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How has education and achievement sparked feminism?
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-issues for women tend to come in college
-issue of violence in the home (not always a fear for protection) |
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How has the church sparked feminism?
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-women are being withheld from taking certain positions in the church
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Explain feminism with a premodern worldview.
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--knowledge (universals) can be known through reason
--fixed order in the universe --biology is identity --GENDER: Fixed sex differences |
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Explain feminism with a modern worldview.
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--rejection of previous ages
--biology is NOT destiny --reason makes us free --truth is known by “undifferentiated, generic human beings”—therefore (GENDER) similarity is emphasized 1. Liberal feminism Principles of liberalism: a. Optimistic view of reason b. Belief in human capacity for cooperation **we deserve unrestricted access to opportunities Critiques of liberal feminism’s effectiveness: a. Class bias b. Passivity 2. Alternatives to liberal feminism Marxist feminism: Inequity of resources (money) is the basis of power inequity –(equal pay) Psychoanalytic feminism: Construction of women’s psyches is the root of inequity 3. And a new proposal: Radical feminism “SECOND WAVE OF FEMINISM” Root problem: Patriarchy • The problem of herd socialization |
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Explain feminism in the postmodern worldview.
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--no metanarrative—no universal story
--we’re active—not a function of biology --we should recognize, not abandon differences (GENDER: differences of experience) “THIRD WAVE OF FEMINISM” 1. Epistemology: feminist issues Tradition: the ideal is the autonomous, objective knower (Descartes) Feminist alternatives: a. Challenge detachment (“maternal knowing”) b. Challenge autonomy (“dependent on community of knowers”) c. Challenge objectivity (“situated knowers”) 2. Metaphysics Tradition: the ideal is the “universal” Feminist alternatives: a. Rethininking “male as normative” b. The importance of inclusive language 3. Ethics (the work of Carol Gilligan, responses to Kant) Tradition: let women down by: Overlooking their concerns Devaluing their moral decisions Feminist alternatives: a. Gilligan’s ethics of care (vs. ethics of duty) b. “Maternal thinking”- ethical choices focused on the private home 3. Politics and issues of power Tradition: power as normative -hobbes: we seek power -Nietzsche: will to power Feminist alternatives: a. Concerns about abuse of power b. Different expressions of power |
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How is feminism a challenge to the rationalist tradition?
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1. Postmodern feminism:
• Challenge to “universal knowing” (epistemology) and “universal truth” (metaphysics) 2. Postmodern feminism: • Challenge to “the canon”…and Core 250 |
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What should be done about women as a being-in-itself and men as a being-for-itself?
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-women need to act as authentic subjects
-women have a choice, they can choose to be the subject and be the being-for-itself -society must be changed to make this possible -in order to allow women to seek for this new identity |
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What are the two common ideas between all existentialists?
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-individuals are free
-authentic experience (this is how one face their sense of freedom) |
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How does Kierkegaard say we should be an adult?
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• Need to move through three stages
• Most are stuck at the ascetic stage. o Live for excitement and abhor boredom • Some have moved to the ethical level o You realize the needs of others and put them first at times • I will give up everything, even my ethics to God. o If you sacrifice everything for God, he will give everything back to you. • Believes that there is a will to power or basic human nature (unlike the other two) |
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How does Nietzsche say we should be an adult?
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• You must recognize that you able to have a will to power
• Master morality like the will of heroes. • Or the Slave morality of the slave reality (good vs. evil) • To be an adult means to recognize that god is dead o Never has been a god but was created by humanity. • No good or bad or evil out there except the ones man has made. • All values have collapsed because we are free to do what we want. • Adults need to accept the death of God and create their own values. |
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How does Sartre say we should be an adult?
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• Need to say no to all of these ridiculous labels that people have put on you.
o These must be rejected and to walk away from them. Otherwise you are no better than a teapot or cabbage. • Need to accept responsibility. o Your identity is determined by the actions that you take. What you do is who you are. • Must embrace the notion of authentic notions o Reject the idea of god because there is none. • The herd attended his funeral (according to the other two) • Is a Marxist o “Welcomes of unwashed millions” -LAO |
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What are the four types of C.S. Lewises?
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1. The Fiction Writer (Narnia books)
2. The Christian Apologist (defender of the faith-Miracles) 3. The competent professional in his field 4. The philosophical Lewis: “Radical critic of the modern age.” |
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What is chronological snobbery?
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-the smug belief that we are better and morally advanced than previous ages; disdain for the past as ignorant and superstitious
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How does C.S. Lewis explain reason and doubt as a two-edged sword?
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-we are told to use reason and doubt
-but this cuts both ways! -perhaps you should doubt the doubters -"how do you know that I don't know?!" |
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What is the assumption of infinite progress (LEWIS)?
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-we are always getting better and better and will continue to get better and better
-examples: -marxism -darwinism (the sense that we're better because we're bigger and live longer) -technologism (faith that technology is going to make our lives better) -lewis's logical doubt -"I doubt it!" -newer does not equal truer -contradictory examples -disposable diapers -cell phones -nuclear weapons |
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Explain "subjectivism in values".
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-modern and postmodern subjectivism
-the relativity of knowledge -the agony of decisons -but we must make decisions...so how do we do this? -four contemporary responses and their weaknesses -"useful to the community" -this is logically impossible -why should I be useful? -NIMBY (not in my backyard) -It doesn't tell me how to live -"reason will guide us" -no it won't--reason cannot do that (is is not equal to ought) -"instinct" -when and how do we follow our instincts? -doesn't tell me how to live -"arbitrary self-creation" (i.e., existentialsim) |
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What is Lewis's alternative?
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-the Tao - doctrine of objective moral value
-characteristics: 100% certain, inborn, universal -can it be proven? -No! (What would be the basis?) -But you can see it at work if you believe it -and it is consistent with our experience |
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What are the implications of C.S. Lewis' beliefs?
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• Look to the past
o It may hold real treasures we have lost in our mad dash to the future • Be humble and doubt our orthodoxies! o Doubt can be good for Christians! Doubt the doubters! • Reason is not an end in itself: it will not give us moral values • Rationalism has been strongest when tied to values |
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What is Elizabeth A. Johnson's starting point: acknowledge mystery?
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-god is larger than the mind can grasp
-god is spirit (limitation of reason) -(echoes of postmodernism) |
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Why does Johnson say we try to know God?
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-we are called to seek God
-our understanding of God forms the basis for how we see reality (metaphysics) -our understanding of God forms the basis for our view of ourselves (anthroplogy) |
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How is brokenness: relegating people to second-class citizenship evident?
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-patriarchy
-patterns of thinking -Augustine: "woman does not possess the image of God in herself." -patterns of language -is God male? |
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What is the call of faith and liberation theology according to Johnson?
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-a call to justice
Liberation theology-the Gospel as a call to free people from political, social and material oppression |
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Who was J. Maritain?
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-neo-thomist (revival of the thought of Thomas Aquinas)/ Aristotelian Christian
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What is wrong with the modern world?
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-alienation, modernism, atheism
-Sartre & the existentialists are partly right |
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If there are things wrong with the modern world, where should we turn according to Maritain?
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-maritain's neo-thomism
Aquinas (Aristotle) -builds on Aristotle -Thomism is fullest and most accurate description -classical RATIONALISM -science -math -metaphysics |
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What is the new Christian civilization according to Maritain?
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-flee the world!
-we should be in the world, but not of the world -people run backwards and say the past was so much better -the coward: flees back to safety -the Christian: flee forward! Theocentric Humanism -don't take refuge in what is safe and cozy -go into the unknown and make it your own with courage |
