assignment

Contemporary Values and Classical Ethics

ETH CC 120

Professor Aaron

Featured Assignment

Goal – The goal of the assignment is to enhance what you have been reading in the texts, on the

class slides, and discussing on the forum posts. It also presents you with the opportunity to

incorporate art your studies through the medium of your choice. The assignments may also be

inclusive of a family friendly activity depending on the age and interests of your children.

1. Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and tour the Egyptian art exhibit or the Greek and

Roman art exhibit located on its ground floor. Select at least one painting or sculpture

that you believe captures the essence of what the Ancient Egyptians believed in about the

afterlife or God(s) or both.

You will write a 1 page response paper which includes:

A picture of the artwork you selected

Why you chose the artwork you did

What you believe to have been the purpose of the artwork

What the description of the artworks says the art’s purpose was

How it demonstrates the Ancient Egyptians belief in the afterlife or of God(s) or both

How this assignment contributes to the values and ethics dimension of understanding

your own beliefs and that of others.

*Note that there is a suggested donation for New York and New Jersey residents of $25

but this is suggested and you can pay any amount you like. There is no additional fee for

the Egyptian Art exhibit or the Greek and Roman Art exhibit

2. Visit Socrates Park, it is a small park in Queens that I often think of as an outdoor art

gallery. Built on landfill, it is now covered in grass and trees and has different sculpture

exhibits throughout the year. There is no fee and you will find people there are exploring

the art, enjoying the views of the city skyline, and walking their dogs. Find one sculpture

in particular and note what it makes you think of then read the artists description and

write down the similarities and differences between what it made you think of and what

the artist’s intention in creating it was. Write a 1 page response paper explaining the

following:

A description of the artwork you selected

Why you selected the artwork

What it made you think of and what the artists’ intention for creating it was

What the similarities or differences between your point of view and the artists are

How this exercise contributes to the values and ethics dimension of understanding your

own beliefs and those of others

*If Socrates Park is too far for you, feel free to choose any museum or art gallery and do the

assignment with a piece of art of your own choosing.

3. Watch a few episodes or the entire season of “The Good Place” and choose one episode

for its specific philosophical theme. Write a 1 page paper in response to the episode you

select and include the following:

The philosophical theme from your perspective

How Socrates or Meno might view the philosophical theme from their perspective

Make a Socratic Method statement which expresses either your own, Socrates or

Meno’s point of view on the philosophical theme.

*You may have to purchase the episodes depending upon what streaming service you have