Midterm 1

Question 1

What are the three main ideas of Plato’s Republic?

Answer 1

~ The soul/mind of the human being is composed of multiple parts that can work against or with each other - in unity or harmony

~ The ideal life of a person is one in which these multiple facilities work together rather than against each other

~ The ideal life of a person is one in which harmony in the soul is a result of reason and justness

Question 2

What does Plato say about the soul/mind of the human being?

Answer 2

Composed of multiple parts that can work against or with each other - in unity or harmony

Question 3

What does Plato describe as the ideal life?

Answer 3

The ideal life of a person is one in which these multiple facilities work together rather than against each other

Question 4

What does Plato suggest harmony in the soul is a result of?

Answer 4

A result of reason and justness

Question 5

What are the three different kinds of people described by Plato and his city metaphor?

Answer 5

~ Basic: People who produce shelter, food,
and clothing

~ Soldiers and Police

~ Rulers: Philosophers and Kings - limited in number

Question 6

What are the four virtues described by Plato, and the kinds of people they belong to?

Answer 6

Wisdom: Comes from the ruling class - Elitist

Courage: Comes from soldiers and police; includes physical and ability to maintain your values and beliefs through adversity

Moderation: The desires of the basic citizens are not allowed to overflow and take control

Justice/Harmony: Happens when all the different people in the city do the work in which they are better suited to do and not meddle in other affairs

Question 7

What does Plato suggest are the three components of the sole/mind?

Answer 7

The three parts are the appetitive part, the rational part, and a third spirited part. The appetitive part is responsible for base desires like thirst or hunger; the rational acts in accordance with, and is responsible for, virtues. The spirited part is to ally with the rational part and act as a moderator.

Question 8

What does Plato suggest about the ideal condition and its attainability?

Answer 8

The ideal condition for a human being is attainable if you are in the right environment, in any condition. He believes that human beings should strive for harmony. Put reason in control for other parts of the soul.

Question 9

What does Aristotle state a human’s function or essence be?

Answer 9

Aristotle states our function is to excel in intellectual and practical reasoning

Question 10

How does Aristotle distinct animals and plants?

Answer 10

Aristotle states human beings can engage in reasoning and act in accordance with reasoning - the capacity for reason

Question 11

What are some counterarguments against Aristotle?

Answer 11

Reasoning being our capacity that is distinctive to humans and not applicable to animals is just not obvious

There are other capacities to reasoning that we may have that animal don’t: Global Altruism and the ability to appreciate natural beauty or art

Question 12

What is the biggest issue to Aristotle’s argument presented in lecture?

Answer 12

Aristotle prioritizes our membership to the class of human beings rather than membership in other classes such as being a mother or being a teacher. Aristotle thinks human beings class is more important because it is essential and considers every other class as accidental.
Status as a human being is essential to ourselves and identity. Status as a guitar player or mother is accidental, not part of our core

Question 13

What are the main ideas of Epictetus?

Answer 13

To live well, we must properly manage the things that are up to us and not care about the things not up to us

Question 14

How does Stoicism (Epictetus) differ from Plato’s and Aristotle’s teaching?

Answer 14

Stoicism is to serve as a philosophy for everyone and practices for how to best live and manage your life. Plato and Aristotle are more matter of fact and tries to explain how things are and that we must accept them - Plato the different kind of people and associated viruses, and Aristotle our capacity for reason and the function to excel in intellectual and practical reasoning

Question 15

What is the barrier to happiness according to Epictetus?

Answer 15

The conflict between our internal state and external conditions is the barrier to achieving happiness - bringing our desires in line with the world and conform our desires to the actual nature of things

Question 16

What does Epictetus (or any stoic) suggest?

Answer 16

The stoic suggests engaging in practices that, over time, will allow us to regulate better and control our emotions - remind ourselves of the nature of things

Question 17

What does Epicurus have to say about death?

Answer 17

Epicurus states not to fear death since it does not exist for the living, and the dead do not exist to experience it

Question 18

What does Epicurious believe the best state of a human can attain was?

Answer 18

Peaceful living, absence of physical, mental, and emotional stress

Question 19

How does Epicurious believe we can reach the best state of living for a human?

Answer 19

Appreciating life for what it is and being grateful for what you have. Not to overindulge in foods or deserts, etc. To not delve into politics and/or strive for power. To get good friendships

Question 20

What, according to the metaphysics of the Upanishads, is the “path of joy” to enlightenment?

Answer 20

The path of joy involves understanding and aligning yourself with the truth of the universe: that Atman is Brahman. The separate ego does not exist, but is one manifestation of the same ultimate Self.

Question 21

What is the difference between the path of joy and the path of pleasure?

Answer 21

When we are under the illusion that we are separate egos looking to gain control over an external world, we become trapped in cycles of pleasure and pain.

Aligning oneself with this truth involves getting a spiritual teacher who can guide you along the path to escaping the cycle of pleasure and pain. This is equivalent to joy.

Question 22

Explain the ocean metaphor and the actor metaphor

Answer 22

Ocean metaphor: we think of ourselves as separate egos (i.e. drops), but we are ultimately just one manifestation of the same ocean as everything else in existence.

Actor metaphor: Brahman/God/the Self underlies everything, but only plays a game of theatrical hide and seek in many forms (i.e. many human beings and forms of consciousness) to deceive itself and play games. We are all Brahman in disguise, acting as many separate egos on the same plane.

Question 23

What are the four noble truths, and how does Buddhism suggest you treat them?

Answer 23

Suffering is inevitable
Suffering is caused by desire
To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire
The 8-Fold plan is the way to eliminate pain

Question 24

Describe the two darts analogy in regards to pain

Answer 24

First dart: The pain itself; not connected to desire
Second dart: Mental aversion/anxiety around the pain; wanting the pain to go away; connected to desire
You cannot eliminate the first dart, but you can eliminate the second dart

Question 25

What is the difference between attachments and preferences?

Answer 25

Attachments: will cause you pain/suffering if you lose it or do not attain it, and you should let go of them
Mere preferences:merely structure what you do,
will not cause you pain/suffering if it doesn’t work out

Question 26

What does the Bhagavad Gita prioritize in the pursuit of enjoyment?

Answer 26

The Gita proposes a direct relationship between the degree of absorption and degree of enjoyment. When it comes to action, it is not as important what you are doing but rather how invested you can become in it. One should aspire to loose themselves in deep concentration in any task they approach to achieve maximum enjoyment and peace

Question 27

According to Krishna, what things should one do to reach Brahman and self actualization?

Answer 27

Should not distinguish between good or bad but rather view all beings with the same regard

Should not seek happiness from worldly pleasures

Should seek to overcome impulses of lust and anger and align one’s mind with Brahman instead

Question 28

How does Mencius argue that the example of a passerby saving child falling into a well demonstrates innate human goodness?

Answer 28

He says that even if the passerby will receive no benefit from saving the child, most people would still choose to help the child, demonstrating that humans have at least some innate altruism

Question 29

How does Mencius’s perspective on the essence of human nature differ from Aristotle’s?

Answer 29

Mencius claims that the essential feature of human nature is benevolence, while Aristotle says that it is rationality

Question 30

What are the main idea the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 30

The extent to which you enjoy something depends more on how much you’re able to absorb yourself in that activity than on the kind of activity it is - Not WHAT you do but how you approach whatever it is you’re doing

Question 31

What does Bhagavad Gita say about distractions and worrying about the outcomes of our work?

Answer 31

Being distracted, in the form of worrying or thinking about the outcome of the work, takes away from being invested, and makes it less enjoyable

Not only should you cultivate this skill of focusing while working and avoiding distractions, but you should cultivate the skill of being unattached to the outcome of your work

Question 32

What is the main claim of Mencius?

Answer 32

Human nature is good - there is an innate element of benevolence in people

Weaker claim - Humans are not entirely selfish
Stronger claim - Humans are by default altruistic and benevolent

Question 33

Does Mencius believe humans are always benevolent?

Answer 33

No, he stated that benevolence can sometimes be overcome by other tendencies, or in some cases, be erased all together

Question 34

What is Mencius’s claim about why benevolence is a part of human nature?

Answer 34

It feels right, as if it is fulfilling our basic impulses.

(Feels “right” vs Feels “good”)

Question 35

How does Mencius distinguish Feels “right” vs Feels “good”?

Answer 35

Feels good is pleasurable (eating, sex, etc.), while feels right is different as something can feel unpleasant but feel right

Question 36

How does Mencius compare to Aristotle regarding their opinions about human nature?

Answer 36

Aristotle claims humans are completely rational, and every thing we do is a ultimately for the sake of our happiness

Mencius claims the essential feature of human nature is benevolence, which is a matter of doing things for the sake of others, not for the sake of our own personal happiness