philosophy

Philosophy Extra Credit Projects

If you wish, you can do two extra credit assignments this term, one small and one

large project. Each small project will end up as a 3-5 page paper: 1 page (or less)

summary of what you read/watched), 1-2 pages answering a few questions, and 1-2 pages

reaction to the philosophical themes of the book/movie. Larger projects are more of

same, but the themes for that project carries over into different genres (therefore, you will

have more to read watch) and are more difficult or complex (again giving you a little

more work to do).

Each little project will be worth (about) 2 points, while the larger projects are

worth 5. With partial credit, doing both projects well can (and will) shift you a whole

letter grade! But note that they are graded just like reaction papers, so if you do one,

please be sure to put a lot of energy into it, and come see me if you are having problems

with it!

Small Projects

Philosophy and the Divine

, director Aronofsky. A radically different view of God is pushed by this film – I added this one to the list as a “neutral” choice for anyone that wants to work a little more with

Philosophy of Religion. Sit back and enjoy the ride (it’s a wild, weird movie) and then

let me know if you think that any of the articles we’ve read can handle this kind of

understand of the Divine, and what exactly is Aronofsky saying about God.

“The Screw Tape Letters,” C.S. Lewis. This book is also a somewhat neutral choice,

since Lewis went from a devout believer to an atheist, and back again (however, he’s

obviously returned to his faith when he writes this). What is Lewis really saying about

God (or the Devil) and the nature of Evil? How responsible are we as (merely) human?

“Twilight of the Idols,” Nietzsche. A book for the non-believers, or those still sitting on

the fence. If you’re a Nine-Inch-Nails fan, this is close as it comes to mandatory reading

since Nietzsche was the first to publicly declare, “God is Dead.” I really want to know

what you make of Nietzsche’s subtitle for the text (“How to Philosophize with a

Hammer”), what Nietzsche himself meant by it, and what he thinks God really is. This

one is a little longer and harder project, so come see me if you want to work on it – you

may need a little help throughout the project.

Philosophy and life

“Fight Club,” Palahniuk. A great book, followed by a great movie that totally changes

the message that Palahniuk is trying to push. Who is Tyler Durden (not literally – that’s

for your summary) in the psychological, philosophical sense? Is self improvement really

masturbation (what does that even mean)? Did Fight Club, Project Mayhem really work?

(Again, make sure you read the book!)

“The Stranger,” Camus. A classic existential work, Camus really moves towards a new

meaning for Life and a radical definition of responsibility. I really want to know what

you think about both, and tell me if life is really “all that bad” and if carrying such a

burden of existential responsibility is necessary.

Ethics

Questions, ch 36 + 3 readings from “Harry Potter and Philosophy:” chapter 9 (Is

Ambition a Virtue, Why the Slytherins Belong at Hogwarts), chapter 2 (Dursley

Duplicity), and chapter 1 (The Courageous Harry Potter). The subtitle of “Harry Potter

and Philosophy” is “What if Aristotle ran Hogwarts,” which is why you need to read

chapter 36 along with this, and works with Aristotelian Ethics. How accurate do you

think articles are to the Harry Potter books, and do they work well with what Aristotle is

trying to do? What is the relationship between Evil (or being evil) and ethics?

Questions, ch 41 + 2 readings from “Harry Potter and Philosophy:” chapter 4 (Herminone

and the Women of Hogwarts), and Chapter 8 (Kreacher’s Lament). These chapters are

(hopefully) fun extensions of the ethics section that focus on feminist theory. How

accurate do you think articles are to the Harry Potter books, and do they do a good job of

demonstrating feminist ethics? What are feminist ethics all about, and how are they

different from “masculine theories?”

Questions, ch 40 + 3 readings from “The Matrix and Philosophy:” chapter 11 (Cypher’s

Choice, Is Ignorance Bliss?), chapter 13 (Notes from the Underground), and chapter 14

(Popping a Bitter Pill). This is more existentialism; however, this time centered on

ethics. What is Nihilism, and is it really all that dangerous? Is ignorance bliss? Can

there really be an existential ethics?

The Life of David Gale, director Parker. A movie about the life (and death) of a

philosophy professor (so you know it has to be good) that will beat you over the head

with all of its ties to “The Apology.” Is David Gale the new Socrates? How well does

this movie mirror “The Apology?” Do David’s motives make him a martyr, an idiot, or a

hypocrite?

Political Philosophy

Walden Two, B.F. Skinner. A really neat, quick read about a possible utopian society.

Skinner’s theory isn’t quite communist, but it does through in a healthy dash of

psychology and social engineering into the mix. Is Skinner crazy, or is he onto

something? Is he really a Marxist or does he side with Dewey and Mill more than

anyone else?

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury. Agreat, and classic, distopian novel. Why does

everything go downhill for society according to Bradbury is it because of the politics, the

citizens, or the art they choose to destroy (and what they let survive)? Or are all 3 tied

together?!?

Return to Modesty, Wendy Shalit. Shalit, a conservative feminist, offers her suggestion

as to why society has gone wrong and thinks that it’s largely the fault of sexual politics

and liberality. Is she crazy? Is she right? How can she offer the claims that she is

making?

Big Projects

American Beauty, director Mendes. As an opening warning, most people end up loving

or hating this choice. Mendes brutally attacks “Middle America” or what Russell called

the “practical man.” The movie really is not easy to digest or deal with, but in the end,

what do you think their real message is? What is he trying to say about Middle America,

“the Moral Majority,” and/or “family values?” Who are the real bad guys? Are they

right? Is the movie really pessimistic, or does American Beauty offer (suggest) some

chance of redemption?