Contemporary Values and Classical Ethics

Contemporary Values and Classical Ethics

ETH CC 120 DST Purpose I

Final Exam

1. How are your values similar to or different from the Ancient Egyptians we read about in

The Book of the Dead?

2. What do you believe were the ethics that guided Abelard and Heloise throughout their lives in The Letters of Abelard and Heloise?

3. According to the Book of the Dead, the Ancient Egyptians:

a) Devoted themselves to God

b) Believed that he preservation of the body was necessary for passageway to the

afterlife

c) Differed in belief in one God or many gods

d) All of the above

4. In the Letters of Abelard and Heloise Faith and Reason were two of its main themes expressed in the letters by both characters. Did they have faith and reason in the same things or were they in different things? What were they and how were they similar or different?

5. Philosophy has existed since the 6th century, before Socrates and Meno, and is still used in society today. How have you, do you or might you use it in the future?

6. How did the notion of Virtue and Sin or Morality and Spirituality have an effect on the lives of Abelard and Heloise in The Letters of Abelard and Heloise?

7. Socrates and Descartes are both renown philosophers. How were their methods of learning similar or different?

8. How is empowerment defined?

9. Descartes’ third Maxim of conduct is to conquer oneself through empowerment. He believed this may be done by taking control of your thoughts as thoughts are the only thing in life one can control. What does it mean to you to conquer yourself? Do you think similarly or differently from Descartes?

10. Out of all of the philosophers we read about, from Socrates and Meno to Abelard and Heloise and finally Descartes, who do you believe uses critical thinking the most in either their learning and development as a character or in their philosophical method?

Bonus. This course has been on the study of values and ethics, what they have been in the past and how they it corresponds to us today. What would be your biggest takeaway on how the past and present relate with regard to values and ethics?