How would you explain Taoism to someone who is unfamiliar with Eastern Philosophy in general, and Taoism in particular?

Final Exam Taoisim

Answer the following four essay questions, using the Tao Te Ching, class materials, the key concepts (wu wei, the idea of balance and harmony, the 10,000 things (the “flux”), yin/yang, the Tao, images such as water or fire or wood. These ideas are discussed in the Short Commentary:

file:///C:/Users/Dcroc/AppData/Local/Temp/Temp1_Short%20Commentary%20on%20Taoist%20Ideas.html.zip/Short%20Commentary%20on%20Taoist%20Ideas.html (This is the short commentary)

If you use a website, be sure to take notes and do not cut and paste. Use your own words. Each of the four answers should be at least 1 page long, typed. Submit your answers in one document (not 4) to Dropbox no later than the Final Exam deadline identified on your Schedule or the Dropbox. Each answer should be at least one typed page and if you quote the chapter of the Tao Te Ching that would be a separate page from your answer except as you quote passages form the Tao Te Ching inside your philosophical discussion answering the question.

1. Choose any chapter/stanza from the Tao Te Ching and show how the lines (be specific) and perspective of that chapter illustrate the value of wu wei. Be sure to explain the idea of wu wei, using the Comments and lecture slides provided.

2. Choose another chapter from the Tao Te Ching and show how the lines and perspective of that chapter illustrate the meaning of the yin/yang principle, as represented in this yin/yang symbol of the Tao:

3. A former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Jackson State had this quotation from the Tao Te Ching on her door:

“It is wisdom to know others; it is enlightenment to know one’s self.” Lao Tsu Tao Te Ching Explain the meaning of this quotation, considering all eight lines of this chapter/stanza from the Tao Te Ching? What chapter/stanza is this? Use concrete examples to clarify the meaning of this idea that self-knowledge is “enlightening.”

4. How would you explain Taoism to someone who is unfamiliar with Eastern Philosophy in general, and Taoism in particular? Use one or two chapters from the Tao Te Ching to clarify and illustrate your explanation.

Use Tao Te Ching ISBN: 9780679724346 for source if possible.
The lecture slides mentioned above are linked.

What advice does Aristotle give a person for discovering the mean in a given activity.

Aristotle : Answer the following questions :

What reasons does Aristotle give for thinking that happiness is the highest good?

How does Aristotle think one should proceed in order to properly define happiness?

What does Aristotle mean by calling virtue ” a mean between extremes”? What extremes?and How does one tell what ought to be regarded as an extreme?

What advice does Aristotle give a person for discovering the mean in a given activity.

If you were to adopt Aristotle’s ethics as your guide to life, how much help would it be?

What would you do differently from what you are already doing ? Would your acting differently in this way be an improvement ?

Identify a couple moral virtues you lack and explain if you think Aristotle’s 3 ways to hit the mean would help you cultivate them.

View: Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics

Answer 6 of the 7 questions, answer all 7 for extra credit.Thoughtfully and thoroughly answer the questions. Make sure your answers are detailed and well-supported. If a question has more than 1 part, make sure you answer every part. Explain using your own words and own examples.

Comment on 2 of your peers posts.

Your first post is due Saturday 7/31 (answer at least 3-4 questions) and the full discussion is due on Sunday, 8/1

Come up with an example of someone who you would consider to be virtuous and explain why you think they are a virtuous person. Your example could be of someone you know personally (friend, family member, etc.) or a public figure (alive or from history).

Explain how their actions and character demonstrate an overarching quality of goodness and excellence.

Why does Aristotle equate psychological well-being or inner harmony with happiness? Explain using an example.

Can someone be truly happy if they do not have psychological well-being or inner harmony? Explain using an example.

Explain in your own words why Aristotle thought that a happy life was best achieved by living a life of reason and virtue. Why are both parts necessary?

Come up with your own example of a moral virtue and identify its corresponding vices (deficit and excess).

Identify a couple moral virtues you already have and explain how you cultivated them.

Identify a couple moral virtues you lack and explain if you think Aristotle’s 3 ways to hit the mean would help you cultivate them.

Discuss the difficult time reconnecting with genuine roots and having a hard time producing philosophy that isnt regurgitated by the people who have taken advantage of the country?

The Issue of Latin American Philosophy

This is a paper for a Latin American Philosophy class on the most important theme or problem that Latin American philosophers are dealing with.Think that it could have something to do with identity in a place that has been colonized ; having a difficult time reconnecting with genuine roots and having a hard time producing philosophy that isnt regurgitated by the people who have taken advantage of the country?

Use the four philosophic readings by Renzo Llorente, Jorge J.E. Gracia, Leopoldo Zea, and Castro Gomez as the four sources for this essay.Also attached two written lectures from the class to give some context if needed.Lastly, attached the actual essay assignment with the requirements.Take a stance on which philosopher you agree with more- I think maybe the issue latin american philosophers are dealing with most is the issue of identity, in which case,agree most with Leopaldo Zea.

 

What role should religion play in political life and why?What are the justifications for including religion in politics?

Compare and contrast the selections from John Locke “Toleration and Government” (PIDI, pgs. 78-93 ) and the selections from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s “The Necessity for Islamic Government” (PIDI, pgs. 562-569) on the relationship between religion and politics.

What role should religion play in political life and why?What are the justifications for including religion in politics? What are the reasons for excluding religion from politics? Which author provides the most convincing argument about the relationship between politics and religion and why? Finally, consider what role, in any, ideology plays in each author’s understanding of the relationship between religion and politics.

Successful papers will include two main parts.

What do you notice about the geographic patterns with regard to prevalence of obesity?

The following map tool presents data compiled by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) showing levels of obesity in the U.S. since 1985.

Use the slider above, beginning at 1985, and move to the right.What do you observe? Slide slowly, year by year to see changes in obesity patterns over time. Stop and observe carefully in 1991, 1997, 2001, 2005 and most importantly, 2011.

What changes do you see?
What do you notice about the geographic patterns with regard to prevalence of obesity?
Now that you have had a chance to consider the changing patterns over time, why ​do you think we are seeing the trends exhibited in these maps?share at least two possible reasons and discuss. You can discuss what you think is happening throughout the entire U.S. but also in specific regions that stand out to you.

What influence did Hobbs and “Leviathan” have on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S,also are either or both social contracts?

What influence did Hobbs and “Leviathan” have on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S,also are either or both social contracts? You must include cited references from the readings (Liviathon, Declaration, and Constitution) to support your arguments argument.
Provide evidence of critical, college-level thinking and thoughtfulness in your responses or interactions. Avoid summarizing.
Contribute to the learning community by being creative in your approaches to topics, being relevant in the presented viewpoints, and attempting to motivate the discussion.
Be aware of grammar and sentence mechanics.
Use proper etiquette. Remember that being respectful is critical.

Do not use non-course sources or materials.