USA: +1 415 256 4347 
Sign in
Question:
FINAL EXAM
All questions are to be addressed.
1. Choose two of the philosophers we’ve read and compare them on one idea that is most important to you. a. Clearly explain the idea using references to the text. b. Show that each of these philosophers agrees on this particular idea (e.g., each of these philosophers agrees that…use references from the text to show that this is so). Do you agree with the view the philosophers put forward? Why, or why not?
2. Based on all of the philosophers we’ve read explain what doing philosophy is all about. Again, be sure to use relevant parts of the text to support your points.
3. Explain why the philosophers we’ve read think that doing philosophy is so important. Again, be sure to provide references from the text to support your points.
4. What idea will you go forward and think more about? Explain why? Alternatively, what idea do you think might impact how you live your life going forward? Please explain.
Answer:
Final Exam (Philosophy)
Question 1
Huxley, a zoologist who argued in support of Darwinism and epiphenomenalism also propounded the perennial philosophy. Gilley indicates that in perrenial philosophy, Huxley acknowledged the existence of the highest factor that is common to all religions, that is, a ‘minimum working hypothesis’ that entails the proclamation of the existence of a Godhead (301). For Huxley, the Godhead is behind the entire universe and its overall appearance. This view is shared by Frankl in his spiritual philosophy. Like Huxley, Frankl acknowledges the existence of the body, mind and spirit.
Frankl dwells on the broad aspect of humanity by focusing on the eventual mechanism that is responsible for making man a rational creature (103). Frankl uses the term logotherapy, a social science term that has a close semantic association with psychosynthesis (129). The aim here was to reflect on the value of meaning in human life. According to Frankl, logotherapy depicts the ultimate human dimension as one that comprises the body, mind, and spirit (132). In a closely related philosophical endeavor, Huxley argues in support of the existence of a consciousness of unity, which is implicit in our choice of words. This consciousness manifests itself in two ways: as an embodiment of good and as an embodiment of evil.
Each of these philosophers agrees that there is an underlying unity in all earthly things that is made possible only by the existence of a supreme being. In this regard, the endeavor by man to identify with the Godhead makes him become one with God. For this reason, the purpose and end of the human life becomes to establish and maintain an identity with God. Both Frankl and Huxley acknowledge the importance of spirituality for human survival, by asserting that man is a spiritual being.
Both philosophers focus on the spiritual dimensions that help man achieve his desire to find meaning in life. In this regard, the specific goals in every man’s conscience are explored in both Frankl’s and Huxley’s philosophies. The three main assertions implied in both philosophies include: life has a meaning, every man has a will towards meaning, and every man has a freedom of choice, spiritual or otherwise.
I agree with the views put forward by the philosophers for two main reasons. First, I consider spirituality to be one of the main factors that distinguishes man from all other living things. Without spirituality, mankind would find it difficult to appreciate and understand anything around him. Indeed, this difficulty is inherent in all the other living things, with man being the exception. The second reason revolves around the superior nature of human intelligence. I hold the view that the existence of this intelligence enables man to perceive a supreme being, which is the common denominator in all world religions.
Question 2
The philosophical works of Socrates, Huxley, Frankl, Plato, Thoreau and Pieper shed a lot of light on what doing philosophy is all about. For instance, as McPherran observes, Socrates was considered a puzzling personality because of the way in which he altered the method and process of understanding and thinking philosophy (557). Indeed, he laid the foundation of Western philosophy. Kahn points out that the Socratic method of philosophical inquiry, as described by Plato in the Socratic Dialogues, assesses key moral concepts (39). Indeed, it is because of the Socratic Method that Socrates is considered the father of moral philosophy and western ethics. For Socrates, doing philosophy is all about providing answers to questions relating to morality and ethics, defending certain points of view regarding various concepts, such as justice, and the search for assumptions for use in shaping one’s sentiment.
For Plato, on the other hand, there is a big difference between writing and doing philosophy. According to Fisher, Plato’s view on the nature of philosophical activity is evident in his paradoxical attitude towards the relationship between spoken and written discourse (165). Fishers adds that Plato’s views give the indication that although the written word ‘has no wings’, all the words used in philosophy do (168). In this sense, written words are viewed as possessing some power of persuasion. However, every philosopher needs an interaction that is much more spirited than the one provided by the written word, and this can only be supplied by the spoken word.
For Viktor Frankl, doing philosophy consists in unearthing the meaning of life which remains unchanged under all circumstances. Frankl believed that regardless of one’s circumstances in life, every individual had a meaning of existence. The process of doing philosophy is about figuring out what this meaning really is.
Question 3
Plato holds that the society can never grow and the troubles of states can never cease till philosophers become kings in this world, or till all kings and rulers truly become philosophers. For Plato, this is one of the main reasons why it is very important to do philosophy. In other words, doing philosophy is an excellent way of ensuring that political power and philosophy fall into the same hands. According to Plato, doing philosophy is thus the best road towards happiness for both the society and the individual. Moreover, Plato’s view is that a man who is prepared to taste knowledge in all its forms, is always glad to learn and never satisfied deserves to be regarded as a philosopher. In doing philosophy, such people are seen to have passion to seek the truth, and this is the most important thing.
According to Myerson, Thoreau thinks that philosophy is so crucial because it enables man explore his mind and appreciate the magnificence of the world around him (84). For Thoreau, doing philosophy in a poetic and practical manner helps man achieve of directing his mind towards the realization that the purpose of life is much more important than economics and the continued accumulation of wealth.
On the other hand, Meilaender points out that Josef Pieper saw the need to defend his conception of philosophy against common objections and deformations by asserting that ‘engaging in philosophy entails reflection on the totality of all that we encounter in life’ (119). The totality of these things is best viewed in light of the ultimate reasons why they occur, and therefore, philosophy is best understood as necessarily meaningful endeavor that cannot be dispensed with by any man or spiritual being. For Pieper, doing philosophy sets the stage for focus on all the objections that are raised against this expansive conception of philosophy. One key objection is that philosophy consists in the study of many questions that are without answers, and therefore pointless. Another objection is that philosophy is without any real object of study, since the ‘totality of things’ cannot be a thing. The third objection is that philosophy must always yield its exalted place to the sciences, which are the sore sure means of acquiring knowledge. There is also the objection that philosophy has no purpose in life. For Pieper, doing philosophy is important since it gives philosophers an opportunity to address objections of this nature.
Questioni 4
The idea that I will go forward and think more about regards the importance of doing philosophy. I will now be consciously thinking about the need to search for the meaning of my life. I am inspired to think about philosophy from the perspective of my life’s circumstances and start the quest for this meaning from this point, just as Frankl did while living under some of the most inhuman conditions of Nazi death camps.
Moreover, I Frankl’s idea of doing philosophy interesting and worth a deeper thought. I am interested in doing philosophy in a manner that helps me unearth the meaning of life, which remains unchanged under all circumstances. This idea is interesting since it sets the stage for every man to do philosophy in efforts to determine what his unique meaning in life really is.
I will also think more about Frankl’s idea of doing philosophy in relation to the nature of the body, mind, and spirit. This may help explain why all religions the world over acknowledge the existence of a supreme being who is behind the universe and its overall appearance. Indeed, it would be interesting to find out the role that man’s spiritual dimensions play in his desire and efforts to find meaning in life.
Works Cited
Frankl, Viktor. The doctor and the soul: An introduction to logotherapy, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1955.
Gilley, Sheridan. “Thomas Henry Huxley: The War between Science and Religion”, The Journal of Religion, 61.3 (1981): 285-308.
Kahn, Charles. Plato and the Socratic Dialogue: The Philosophical Use of a Literary Form, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Meilaender, Gilbert. “Josef Pieper: Explorations in the Thought of a Philosopher of Virtue”, The Journal of Religious Ethics, 11.1 (1983): 114-134.
Myerson, Joel. The Cambridge companion to Henry David Thoreau, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
McPherran, Mark. “Socrates and the Duty to Philosophize”, The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 24.4 (1986) 541–560.
