Book : The Philosopher’s Way 5th eddition Page : 350 Reading…

Book : The Philosopher’s Way 5th eddition Page : 350 Reading…

Book : The Philosopher’s Way 5th edditionPage : 350

Reading Critically   -Analyzing Nishitani on the Religious Quest

·        Have anyone ever experienced on the nihility that Nishitani describes, the possibility that life- and our personal existence- is utterly meaningless? If so, what was a response to this profoundly disturbing possibility? Did it stimulate anyone to consider aynyone (your) reason for living , the meaning of your life?

·       Nishitani seems to suggest that trying to answer questions dealing withthe purpose of human existence and the meaning of our personal lives necessarily involves a religious quest. Do you agree with this perspective? Or do you believe that these questions might be answered without religion?

 

Page: 358

Thinking Philosophically                                                                                                                                        Expanding Your Religious Understanding

·       Reflect on the religions that we reviewed in this chapter (Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and indigenous) as well as other religions with which you are familiar. Consider several common themes that you find to be particularly significant

·       Provide one example of how a common religious theme relates to your life.

 

Page : 407

Thinking Philosophy- Making Moral Decisions

The scenarios below ask you to respond with decisions bases on moral responding

• Describe the decision that you would make in this situation and explain the reasons why? Identify the moral values or principals on which you based your decision.
• At the conclusion of the activity , compare the moral values that you used. Did you find that you used the same values to make decisions , or did you use different values?
• Based on this analysis, describe your general conclusions about your own moral compass.

 

Page : 425

Reading Critically- Analyzing Stace’s Critique of Ethical Relativism

• Imagine that you were engaged in a discussion with an ethical relativist. How would you use James’s and Stace’s criteria of “subjective satisfaction” and “rational explanation ” to argue against their views?
• Do you agree with Stace that if people become convinced that ethical relativism was indeed true, that this would gradually have the effect of eroding their moral values to what we generally think of as less sophisticated, less enlightened levels? Why or Why not?