Assignment #10: Time & Quiz II

1. Read: The SEP entry on "Time"

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/time/

2. Write 2 substantive, unambiguously true or false statements on each of our units over the past semester.  I will write quiz #2 from the best of those I receive.  Due: Wednesday after Thanksgiving recess.  Reminder: We have scheduled the quiz for Friday after Thanksgiving recess.

Q&A #9 Realism or Antirealism?

"Radical Constructivism"

1. Read E. von Glasersfeld's essay, "An Introduction to Radical Constructivism."

2. In this essay, von G. writes: "we cannot possibly conceive of an unexperienced world" (p. 1). Later he applies this line of thought to apples (p. 5). Here's my question: Can we conceive of an unexperienced apple?

3. Write two questions of your own.

Extra reading: here's one of my many responses to von Glasersfeld: http://www.kjf.ca/75-TAJOH.htm

 

Q&A #8: Socialism and Human Nature

1. Read:
http://www.isreview.org/issues/47/wdss-humnature.shtml

2. Question: What does Marx mean when he writes: " people make their own history but not in circumstances of their own choosing"?

3. Write two questions of your own.

Q&A #7: Envy and Egalitarianism

Social theorists frequently argue that envy rests at the heart of egalitarian notions of justice (including the "socialistic" impulse to tax the rich).

Here's an example (the Internet is literally littered with these):

http://www.newsmax.com/HerbertLondon/obama-socialism-Nazis/2009/09/30/id/335284

1. But let's take a closer look at the nature of human envy.  Read:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/envy/

2. Question: is egalitarianism based on envy?

3. Write 2 questions of your own.