Up@dawn 2.0

Friday, February 2, 2018

Quizzes Feb 6, 8

DR 6-7
1. What was Empedocles' legendary "Faustian end"?

2. What did Empedocles identify as the universal elements whose interplay accounts for all phenomena including sexual attraction?  And, which of "our" elements does Gottlieb compare them to?

3. What fundamental principles of modern biology did Empedocles anticipate?

4. What was Empedocles' favorite scientific interest?

5. What did Anaxagoras bring to Athens, and what was his nickname?

6. Of what was Anaxagoras accused, like Socrates thirty years later?

7. How was Anaxagoras less extreme than Parmenides, with respect to reason and perception?

8. Was Anaxagoras a mind-matter dualist?

FL 9-10
9. What "legend" about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence did Ronald Reagan report as fact?

10. What was the 19th century "Woodstock for American Christianity"?

11. What French observer said no country in the world was as fanatically Christian as America?

12. The most interesting thing about Joseph Smith is what?

DQ
  • If Empedocles was a "spiritual egalitarian," believing everyone once lived happily together as immortal godlike beings, why did he exalt himself as a god? In general, how is it possible to reconcile egoistic arrogance with humane and democratic values? Or is it?
  • Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?
  • Does the "big bang/big crunch" cosmological hypothesis seem plausible, relevant to your life, and compatible with personal meaning and purpse?
  • Do you think you are a former daimon or spirit who's been exiled, "in an alien garment of flesh"? (86) Why or why not?
  • Are you a mind-matter dualist? Why or why not?
  • What do you think of Anaxagoras' response to the death of his sons? (97)
  • [Post yours]


Quiz Feb 8 - DR 8-9. Add your quiz & discussion questions from the latter half of today's chapters

1. How was Democritus remembered after his death, and why?

2. Why did early Christians oppose atomism?

3. Name two other early atomists.

4. What idea did Democritus take over from Leucippus?

5. When did ancient atomism become a mature scientific view?

6. What ability was most valued in Periclean Athens?

7. For whom was the term sophistes, Sophists, reserved in the time of Protagoras, Gorgias, Hippias, et al, and what subjects did they teach?

8. What were Plato's & Aristotle's stated objections to the Sophists?

9. What playwright satirized Socrates and the Sophists indiscriminately?

10. Which Sophist embraced subjectivity and said "Man is the measure of all things"?

FL 11-12
11. What did Arthur C. Clarke say about technology?

12. What's the upside of homeopathy?

13. Who invented a religion that said pain, suffering, and disease are not real? What is that religion?

14. How did the California Gold Rush alter Americans' view of reality?

15. How are Americans like ants and grasshoppers?



DQ
  • If everything is composed of atoms, does it follow that there is no life after death? (100)
  • Does atomism "liberate [us] from superstition, fear of death, and the tyranny of priests"?
  • If thought consists in the motion of mind-atoms, can we freely think our own thoughts? Or are we passive spectators of "our" minds?
  • What difference does it make, if particles are inseparable from forces and fields and bundles of energy and thus cannot be proved to be "unsplittable" (as the ancient atomists said)?
  • Is it "reasonable to suppose that every sort of world crop[s] up somewhere"? (109)
  • Comment on Dawkins' "selfish gene" statement about meaning and design. (110)
  • What do you think of Democritus's view of children (112)?
  • What do you think of Democritus's "preaching"? (112)
  • By Pericles' definition, do we have a democracy? (115)
  • Was Socrates a Sophist? 
  • Was Protagoras a relativist?
  • [Add yours]

51 comments:

  1. #8
    Does the "big bang/big crunch" cosmological hypothesis seem plausible, relevant to your life, and compatible with personal meaning and purpose?
    I believe that some scientific views can coincide with religious views.

    ReplyDelete
  2. #8
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-science/
    This is a great article discussing science and religion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. #8
    Alternate Discussion Question:
    Do you guys believe that the supernatural exists alongside what we currently know exists?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes i do believe that supernatural exists alongside what we currently know exists.

      Delete
  4. #8
    https://www.closertotruth.com/topics/cosmos/science-and-religion
    This website has great videos about religion and science.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like Empedocles reiteration of Parmenides idea that nothing is ever created or destroyed. Aside from his only elements being earth, water, air, and fire, he implies that everything is made of portions of different elements, which eventually becomes recycled or degraded for another use.

    ReplyDelete
  6. #8
    Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?
    I guess if your religion entitles you to believe in reincarnation, then that's a good enough reason.

    ReplyDelete
  7. #3
    Response to Discussion Questions

    Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?
    - The idea that a loved one who has died has the ability to re-enter someone’s life in the host of a new body I think helps many grieve. Not to say that the belief is correct, I think it can be beneficial rather than harmful.
    Do you think you are a former daimon or spirit who's been exiled, "in an alien garment of flesh"? (86) Why or why not?
    - No I do not. I find the idea entertaining when someone tells me that I’m an old soul, or when I think of what animal I would choose to be next after this life. I won’t refute the idea, and im always open to listening to ideas of the immaterial, but I lean on what science has proven until something can make better sense of it.
    What do you think of Anaxagoras' response to the death of his sons? (97)
    - Stoic is how ive been described, and that’s how he was described in the passage. I can relate to the idea of not tearing yourself up over things that have already happened but his response is pretty blunt and cold-hearted. I would expect more sympathy from my father.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ashley Thomson8:41 PM CST

    #3
    DQ
    1. If Empedocles was a "spiritual egalitarian," believing everyone once lived happily together as immortal godlike beings, why did he exalt himself as a god? In general, how is it possible to reconcile egoistic arrogance with humane and democratic values? Or is it?
    Well he believed that everyone was a godlike being so saying he is a god and I think that it is interesting that he would say that does he believe in multiple gods or is he the only one. I think he is a bit full of himself in a sense.
    2. Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?
    I believe there is an afterlife but I believe that it is in heaven and reincarnation is living again in another form and so I think no or people would know by now that it is possible because how would you not remember.
    3. Does the "big bang/big crunch" cosmological hypothesis seem plausible, relevant to your life, and compatible with personal meaning and purpose?
    I do not think that there was just a giant explosion and then we were formed someone had to create everything and that is why I believe in God so no.
    4. Do you think you are a former daimon or spirit who's been exiled, "in an alien garment of flesh"? (86) Why or why not?
    No because I think we would have some memory of our past life if that were possible and it is never mentioned in the bible about reincarnation or anything like that.
    5. Are you a mind-matter dualist? Why or why not?
    I think I am because there is solid evidence for everything that I believe.
    6. What do you think of Anaxagoras' response to the death of his sons? (97)
    I think that is odd for someone to say about their own children but I guess all parents are not great parents but I think he said it more of because they were good for nothing.

    Extra Quiz Questions
    FL
    1. What is famous story was told about George Washington that turned out to be a lie?
    The cherry tree chopping when he told his father that he could not tell a lie.
    2. How many copies of the Book of Mormon have been printed since 1830?
    150 million copies

    ReplyDelete
  9. #8
    DQ's
    1. If he believes everyone is a god then he too should think himself a god. He thinks a little too much of himself I think.
    2. You can believe that you will get a second chance if you believe in reincarnation.
    3. I think it is still relevant because there may be worlds out there with creatures like us that we have yet to discover.
    4. No I don't think I am because I don't have any reason to believe that I am.
    5. I think I am because the mind and body must work as one.
    6. I think it is odd but everyone reacts to death in different ways.
    Alternate Quiz Questions
    FL
    1. What was the literacy rate in the 1800's?
    90%
    2. What did Thomas Jefferson say about religion in the North and South?
    North - superstitious and hypocritical in their religion
    South - without attachment or pretensions to any religion but that of the heart
    3. How long did the festival in Cane Ridge last?
    nearly a week

    ReplyDelete
  10. #3
    alternative quiz questions:
    What two ideas are involved in Empedocles’ picture of perception?
    What one of three schools was Empedocles credited as founder?
    Who shared Empedocles’ desire to make sense of the world rather than dismiss it?
    Did Anaxagoras believed in reincarnation?
    What was Anaxagoras’ robust Ionian interest?
    Why was Socrates uninterested in the scientific side of philosophy?
    How is Anaxagoras remembered in the history of philosophy?
    What was Anaxagoras’ radical theory?
    Who did not agree with Anaxagoras’ theory?
    What does Anaxagoras believe to be impossible?
    Like Whitefield, how did Charles Finney view America Christianity?
    A lot of Americans wanted what to end all adventure tales?
    What did Reverend John Nelson Darby embedded in the heart of American Christianity?
    What was considered a fan fiction written by Joseph Smith and is the most successful work of fan fiction in history?
    What events that Bushman believed are facts?
    What is the difference between Miller’s and Darby’s version of the end-of-time?
    What was the Shakers' Era of Manifestation?
    Basically, what did Joseph Smith mirrored America as?


    ReplyDelete
  11. #8

    2. Yes, many religions believe in reincarnation, and if you are a follower of that religion then that is a good enough reason to believe in reincarnation.

    3. The big bang theory is as plausible to me as God making everything. Religion makes me believe it was God.

    4. This is an interesting idea, but no, I do not believe it.

    5. Yes, the mind and the body are separate, yet equally important and can work together in unison and be beneficial to one another even.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think there's a good reason to believe in incarnation. Matter cannot be created nor destroyed, so we are "reincarnated" in a physical sense.

    The "big bang" hypothesis seems relevant and plausible. To me it doesn't really make much of a difference in my personal life.

    No, I don't feel like I am. I feel very young and new and I don't think I had a previous life.

    Alternate DQ: Do you think it's possible to believe in the Big Bang and evolution and also be a Christian?

    ReplyDelete
  13. #3

    Andrew Jensen

    Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?
    I’ll start off in answering this question by saying that I do not believe in reincarnation, and I am not saying that we should all believe in reincarnation because to follow one belief as a society is the same is having too many eggs in one basket. However, if a belief in reincarnation leads to a positive influence on an individual’s life, then that should be “good reason” enough.

    Does the "big bang/big crunch" cosmological hypothesis seem plausible, relevant to your life, and compatible with personal meaning and purpse?
    Yes, I think it is plausible, and at current the most likely cause for the universe that we know. no, I do not think those events are relevant to my life individually. Yes I think it is compatible with my personal meaning and purpose.

    Are you a mind-matter dualist? Why or why not?
    No, I am not a mind-matter dualist. I believe that the human brain has the capacity to hold a lot of information, more than any modern computer by far, and that without a clear understanding of how it works, one might try to separate what is actually physical for something more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. #8
      I also do not believe in reincarnation, but I see what you're saying about it having a positive influence.

      Delete
  14. Caleb Rhinehart8:34 AM CST

    #3
    -Reincarnation? I do not believe that the more common understanding of the word is true. But rather someones driving spirit can appear in others which causes us to see people we knew in those around us.
    -I do not see how a giant explosion or chaos created order. I'e dealt with explosives my whole life. They leave nothing but destruction in their wake. How life began on earth affects us all as it stems the question we ask our entire lives. Why am I here?
    -I can officially say that I am not a daimon in exile. To be so would be to what purpose? Think about it as a punishment and the notion doesn't hold water. If I am to be punished I should have knowledge of why and should live the remainder of my days in want and regret. Having no prior knowledge of a previous life suggests that it is not likely.

    ReplyDelete
  15. #3
    Democritus's view of children

    Democritus's view of having children is by far the craziest thing is have heard in a while. He urges people who want to become parents to not have kids of their own, but to instead go to a friend or family member to pick one of their kids to make sure he has the kind of kid he wants. which is insane, first of all who does that? and its almost like he is treating kids as pets and he is picking the kind he likes.

    ReplyDelete
  16. To answer the discussion questions:
    1) I think it is possible to mix egotistical arrogance and humane democratic values. I think that someone who is full blown arrogant may try and do the greater good so that they can be seen in a better light.
    2)Not that I believe in it, but I think a good reason to believe in reincarnation is that it could give hope to the one who believed
    3)I don't the big bang/big crunch. I don't like the idea of just being here by chance
    4)I don't think that I am a daimon. The reason being is that I believe that we are just humans.

    ReplyDelete
  17. #8
    DQ "Is there any good reason to believe in reincarnation?"
    Reincarnation in my opinion is nothing more than a fantasy, there's no stable point or evidence towards this belief. Why would you start as a human then transcend into a lesser being such as a bird in your next life? Doesn't quite hold up for me. However I do believe our energy or essence from our physical forms us redistributed through the earth's soil when we're buried.

    ReplyDelete
  18. #8
    DQ- "if everything is composed of atoms, does it follow that there is no life after death?"
    Not necessarily, the atoms are broken down from molecules and redistributed through the earth, keeping the cycle going. The Earth is forever living on a physical plane

    ReplyDelete
  19. #8
    Are you a mind-matter dualist? Why or why not?

    -No I am not a mind matter dualist. I believe the mind is the same thing as the brain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. #8
      I disagree. I feel as though the mind and brain are different. If someone tells you to make up your mind, your decision may not be based off of logical thinking.

      Delete
  20. #8
    If your religion wants you to believe in reincarnation then that should be a good enough reason.

    ReplyDelete
  21. #8
    Is reincarnation real?
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/716499/reincarnation-REAL-proof-life-after-death

    ReplyDelete
  22. #8
    Mind opening videos.
    https://www.closertotruth.com/topics/cosmos/science-and-religion

    ReplyDelete
  23. 1.) He seemed pretty full of himself, some people are just so full of themselves they will just say whatever they want.
    2.) There is nothing wrong with believing in reincarnation, I don’t see any reason for myself to but all the power to ya if you do.
    3.) yes, I completely believe in the Big Bang and evolution. It’s very relevant to my life because I’m just really interested in that kind of science.
    4.) I don’t think so because I don’t really believe in supernatural stuff.
    5.) I think the mind and body are the same thing because the mind is located in the brain and the brain is part of the body.
    6.) Not something you should say about your kid.
    Additional DQ)
    What’s the point of reincarnation if one does not remember the previous life?

    ReplyDelete
  24. #8 Jasper Von Buseck12:16 PM CST

    DQ: What were 2 distinct ideas involved in Empedocles' picture of perception?

    ReplyDelete
  25. One reason to consider reincarnation is because it hasn’t been disproved. I am mind-matter dualist because I don’t believe that your physical being dictates who you are. He had an interesting response to his son's death. No, I believe we have always been humans. I think the big bang is possible. It doesn't completely contradict my religious beliefs. Why don’t Christians believe in the big bang? Are most religious people mind-matter dualist? How does a person have enough faith to believe in reincarnation?
    #8

    ReplyDelete
  26. If everything is composed of atoms, does it follow that there is no life after death? (100)
    -Simply because we are blind to it so far, does not mean an afterlife cannot exist. And faith is a key part of nearly every religion.

    Does atomism "liberate [us] from superstition, fear of death, and the tyranny of priests"?
    -Not necessarily. Religion can still be followed under today's circumstances, as all people need is faith.

    If thought consists in the motion of mind-atoms, can we freely think our own thoughts? Or are we passive spectators of "our" minds?
    -This is a serious question. Just like the thought that, if we are born blank slates, do we have free will, since the people and environment around us creates who we are? But I believe that free will does still exist for both. If we decide to view it from such a small or large scale, then no, free will doesn't exist. I was destined to write this, and you were destined to read it.

    Is it "reasonable to suppose that every sort of world crop[s] up somewhere"?
    -Not enough scientific proof just yet.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ashley Thomson6:57 PM CST

    #3
    DQ
    1. If everything is composed of atoms, does it follow that there is no life after death? (100)
    I would think that there would be life after death because atoms do not just disappear but since atoms do not just disappear how would we die in the first place.
    2. Does atomism "liberate [us] from superstition, fear of death, and the tyranny of priests"?
    I would believe so if that is what you believe in.
    3. If thought consists in the motion of mind-atoms, can we freely think our own thoughts? Or are we passive spectators of "our" minds?
    I would think that atoms just move around and would it not just pop random thoughts into someone’s head.
    4. What difference does it make, if particles are inseparable from forces and fields and bundles of energy and thus cannot be proved to be "unsplittable" (as the ancient atomists said)?
    I think that it would mean that there would be an obvious reason for our life and we would all have some sort of purpose.
    5. Was Socrates a Sophist? 
    I think that it is apparent that he was involved with Sophist things or believed them but I am not sure he was one.

    ReplyDelete
  28. #8
    If everything is composed of atoms, does it follow that there is no life after death?
    No, that's not what that means. Life after death doesn't consist of physical beings, but rather spiritual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. #8
      I agree that life after death consist of spiritual beings.

      Delete
  29. #8
    If thought consists in the motion of mind-atoms, can we freely think our own thoughts? Or are we passive spectators of "our" minds?
    We can freely think about what we want, but some thoughts become hard to conceal and they float freely. However, I think it can be controlled.

    ReplyDelete
  30. #8
    Was Protagoras a relativist?
    http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/0199262225.001.0001/acprof-9780199262229
    Link to a book

    ReplyDelete
  31. #8
    Was Socrates a Sophist?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUKRbKjH4kA
    Video about it

    ReplyDelete
  32. #3
    alternate quiz questions:
    According to Democritus, what caused the colors and flavors of everyday things?
    What does Democritus mean when he says that the atoms of sweet-tasting things are round and large?
    What is wrong about Leucippus and Democritus’ definition of atoms?
    What is the Sophists’ motto?
    How would the physici explain the world?
    Who was the best arguer in Athens?
    Whose sons founded the Standard Oil Company?
    Who took advantage and supplied American “cravings”?
    What is an entrepreneur in 1800s?
    Who said that “love of money is either the chief or secondary motive in everything American do?”
    What unexciting virtues do Andersen say Americans possess?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. #8
      Who was the best arguer in Athens?
      - Socrates

      Delete
    3. #8
      What does Democritus mean when he says that the atoms of sweet-tasting things are round and large?
      - If they are round and large they lie on the surface, if they were small and angular they would be more piercing and have a sour taste.

      Delete
    4. #8
      Whose sons founded the Standard Oil Company?
      - William Avery Rockefeller

      Delete
  33. Brandon Hafeli11:05 AM CST

    #8
    Alternate Quiz Questions:
    DR
    What did Aristotle say was 'the art of the sophist'?
    Why was Euripides sometimes regarded as a Sophist?
    Who wrote the play, 'Clouds'?
    Who was it that said, "I have countenanced any action that was incompatible with justice on the part of any person"?
    FL
    Who sent the first electric telegram, quoting an Old Testament verse?
    What newspaper declared that 'the new age of miracles' had began?
    How did the Fox sisters become famous?
    What was the 'original alternative medicine'?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. #8
      Who wrote the play, 'Clouds'?
      -Aristophanes

      Delete
    2. #8
      What was the 'original alternative medicine'?
      -Homeopathy

      Delete
  34. #8

    1. If true, then yes, but that is almost a matter of your beliefs.
    2. If you believe in atomism, then yes.
    3. We are capable of freely thinking our own thoughts.
    5. He at least thought in a Sophist manner at times, hard to say if he was completely a Sophist or not.

    ReplyDelete

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