You will write on four questions of your choice. You are allowed to use your notes, Internet resources, and handouts; even your copy of Sophie's World if you would like.
You should complete and submit these exams by May 22nd. It is assumed that you will write in complete sentences, etc. I would expect most answers to be in the 300- 500 word range. You may dispense with formal introductions and conclusions. You do not need to offer formal citations if you use quotations from primary sources, but it should be clear from where you got your information.
1. You've just completed your second year of studies at the Academy founded by Plato. It's fallen into Roman hands, and they say it's time for you to declare your major. Of course, you say "PHILOSOPHY," but they want more specifics. You're allowed to focus on Epicureanism, Stoicism, Cynicism, or Skepticism. Make your choice by demonstrating an understanding of that philosophy and explaining how it best fits your current (and/or future) personality and plans.
2. Take a good look in the mirror. Are you an ethical person? In answering this question, you need to incorporate at least three specific ideas, terms, or philosophers that we discussed during the course.
3. John Rawls advanced an ethical concept called the "veil of ignorance" where he argued that "justice" was best achieved when people "decide upon social rules whilst behind a 'veil of ignorance' which prevents their knowing anything about their own situation in the hypothesized society." In other words, you would attempt to decide what is "just" without considering yourself and your own situation at all. Choose one of these leaders: Barack Obama, Tim Pawlenty, Hillary Clinton or another of your choice, and determine whether you believe their leadership style is consistent with Rawls' theory of social justice.
4. Do you think you're an "existentialist?" Citing the ideas of at least two existentialist philosophers, explain why you do or do not believe that you are "one of them."
5. Our recent war with Iraq remains controversial. On the last exam, you were asked to analyze the campaign against Augustine's criteria for a "just war." (Actually, I skipped that question this year.) That's old school. The utilitarians are in charge now, and they want you to demonstrate your understanding of their approach by determining whether or not the US-led coalition war in Iraq was ethical. (Obviously, you're not expected to take every consequence, benefit, and harm of the war into account.)
6. Niccolo Machiavelli is hired as the Mounds Park Academy Assistant Upper School Director. (Ignore the part about him being long dead and all.) Using real (or potentially real) issues, explain how you think life around MPA would change. (Be sure your answer demonstrates an understanding of Machiavelli's philosophy.)
7. Ronald Reagan once said that the ideas of Karl Marx have now been consigned to the "ash heap of history." My question is simple: Should the ideas of Karl Marx be/ have been consigned to that "ash heap?" Your answer should demonstrate an understanding of the basics of Marx's philosophy.
8. Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism was the last major "school" of philosophy that we considered. You've been invited to appear on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show dedicated to a discussion of her philosophy. Assume that the other guest radically disagrees with your own assessment of Rand's philosophy. Discuss.
9. The International Criminal Court has developed a technology to raise people from the dead for the purpose of making them stand trial. Fredreich Nietzsche has been brought back and charged with genocide. The prosecution argues that his idea of a "master race" of "ubermensch" (Superman) and his concepts of the "die Herren" and "die Herden" were cornerstones of Nazi philosophy and actions. The defense argues that he is not responsible for how others interpreted his ideas and that he played no direct role in any of the events perpetrated by the Nazis. You're a member of the jury. What do you decide? Why?
10. Sophie's World was first published in 1991, making the title character approximately 30 years old right now. I want you to imagine and explain some of what Sophie's been up to since the end of the book. In particular, you need to incorporate the ideas of at least three different philosophers from the book in your "story" of what she's been up to and how these experiences in philosophy influenced her life.
11. This is for those of you who are shy, or those of you who talk all the time and want to talk even more. Express your position on any of the "Ethical Debate" topics other than your own. In stating your position, you need to make use of the concepts or views of at least two philosophers that we have learned about. (You can argue that they would either support or contradict your own view, but be sure to show why their ideas are relevant to your discussion.)
