A journal entry is a neatly written, carefully considered personal essay of no less than the assigned 200 words.
Every journal entry will be clearly labelled with the question at the top. For normal sized handwriting, an entry should be about a page and a half. If you write large, may continue onto multiple pages, but you must still write the same number of words.
The journal entries do not need to be at the end of the unit. In fact, I would encourage you not to wait until the end of the unit to begin your journal entries. Just be sure to title and number your entries clearly so that I know they are “Free(ish) Response” entries.
L3 students must complete 6 journal entries for each unit.
L2 students must complete 4 journal entries for each unit.
How do emotions of anger and depression affect your ability to think logically?
If someone could take one of your cherished beliefs and show that it is based on faulty reasoning, would you readily abandon it? Explain.
Should people who are uninformed and reason illogically be allowed to vote for issues and candidates that determine the course of the country? Why?
Is doing something because it provides pleasure logical? Why?
What constitutes genuine knowledge as opposed to opinion or belief?
Where does knowledge come from and how can individuals gain knowledge?
Can an opinion be justified without being genuine knowledge?
Which is more persuasive Rationalism or Empiricism? Why?
What does Descartes mean when he says, “I think therefore I am?” Is this a credible claim?
Does science give us knowledge or do we merely accept scientific discoveries as knowledge?
Why is it so difficult for philosophers to decide if the universe is eternal or created?
Why is it difficult for philosophers to explain why certain things change and why certain things stay the same?
What is the difference between creation from nothingness or creation from pre-existing materials and why is this difference importance?
Plato argues that there are idealized forms outside of our reality. Is this a convincing argument? Why or why not?
What is the difference between matter and form? Why is this difference important?
Why do philosophers argue over the nature of the “first cause?”
Why is the unity (one-ness) versus duality (two-ness) of mind and body an important argument for philosophers?
Do you feel that the soul exists, and if so, where does it reside?
What reasons might there be to argue that there is no such thing as free will? Do you find these arguments convincing?
When in your life to you feel like you are not making your own decisions freely? Do you think this means that you don’t have free will in those moments or is it merely a more complicated decision making process?
What is natural law? What is divine law? In what ways are these two related and unrelated?
Is morality absolute or culturally relative? Why?
Is ethical behavior something that we control as individuals or something that society regulates as a whole?
Can lying ever be a good idea?
How would you define the “good life” and why?
Do you find Epicureanism convincing? Why or why not?
Do you find Stoicism convincing? Why or why not?
Can something be a moral good even if it has a major negative impact on an individual or group?
Should actions be judged on their effect or their motivations? Why?
Can ethical behavior ever be totally separated from rational thought or ever be totally in alignment with rational thought?
Have you ever experienced existential anxiety or an existential moment? How did you know?
What does it mean to be an individual? Is it important?
Do you find Kierkegaard’s Three Life Stages to be convincing? Why or why not?
How would society be different if it were widely accepted that there was no universal morality?
Do you find Nietzsche’s statement “He who cannot obey himself will be commanded” to be convincing? Why or why not?
What are some potential positives and negatives of the concept of “will to power?”
Are we responsible for our own happiness?
Are you leading an “authentic life?” Why or why not?
Do you find Sartre’s statement “Man is condemned to be free” to be convincing? Why or why not?
What does it mean to lead a meaningful life?