Philosophy 346: Study questions for the third test
The third test is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17. It counts as 12% of your final grade. The questions on the test will cover a selection of the material indicated by the questions below, but they may not be in the same form. I have included page numbers for some especially relevant passages, but the answers to the questions are not wholly contained on these pages. You still need to read all the pages assigned — and in some cases to think!
Thoreau is a transcendentalist. What does this mean about his conception of reality? (I discussed this in class, but some relevant passages are on 176-8, 205, 265, 343, etc.)
To whom is Thoreau’s Walden addressed? (107) What are the central problems with which it deals? (W 109-13, 172-4) What is Thoreau’s method for solving these problems, and why does he see it as a solution? (113-16, 172-4, 188-9, 257, 343-5)
Thoreau often uses the term ‘fate’ or ‘false fate’ in Walden. Explain what he means by this. Does he believe that our lives are fated or predestined? (See especically 109-111.)
Thoreau uses the terms ‘morning,’ ‘dawn,’ and ‘waking’ (and the contrasting term ‘sleeping’) metaphorically throughout the book; explain what he means by them. (See especially 168, 171-4, 176, 204, 208, 265, 344, 351.)
What are the necessities of life, according to Thoreau? (114-158)
How does Thoreau’s conception of the self differ from the expanded Self of the deep ecologists? (204-5)
Was Thoreau an advocate of animal rights? Explain. (112, 147, 261-5)
Was Thoreau an environmentalist? Why or why not?
Does Thoreau encourage us to go live in the woods as he did? Why or why not? (158)
How does Thoreau respond to the charge that his philosophy is selfish? (159-164) Is his response adequate?
Describe Thoreau’s attitude toward the poor. Is it realistic? Is it just? (161-4, 256-8)
Is Thoreau an anarchist -- i.e. one who believes that there should be no government? (85-6)
Explain the context and meaning of Thoreau’s remark "If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowing man, I must restore it to him though I drown myself." (88)
What is civil disobedience, and under what conditions does Thoreau think that it is justified? Do you agree or disagree, and why?
In what ways is Thoreau’s philosophy relevant to the problems discussed in What Have We Done? and in what ways is it not relevant?
What criticisms can be raised of Thoreau's philosophy?
Many people think that Thoreau was right that we ought to simplify our lives. But almost nobody does it. Why not?
In what ways is Thoreau’s philosophy similar to or different from the environmental philosophies that we have studied?