Due: Friday, May 10th
Length: 6 pages
Format: Argumentative, posing a thesis or question and offering sustained argument.
References: Use at least two sources from class and two outside sources.
Submit: Via email to justin@oursanctuary.org
1. Neolithic Economist Marshal Sahlins argued that hunter-gatherers remain the ‘original affluent society’ in the sense that their needs were easily met. Are these undeveloped peoples really wealthier than modern individuals? In your answer, explain what you mean by ‘wealth.’
2. Does evil exist? If so, what is it? If not, why should we deny its reality?
3. Do the activities of the CIA and the American Deep State contradict the belief that the US government is the leading edge of freedom and democracy? If not, in what sense are they consistent with that description?
4. In what sense is Climate Change an ethical question? How can it be understood as a question in distributive justice? What are our ethical obligations, and to whom do we owe them, regarding climate change and global ecocide generally?
5. Does climate change and related environmental challenges facing the human race require merely better energy technologies, or do these challenges call for a new ethics? If the latter, what ethical principles are required?
6. Does the present carry obligations towards the future? If so, how do we quantify the duties that presently existing peoples have to future generations?
7. In his essay “Buddhist Economics,” E. F. Schumacher argues that modern economics denies the inherent value of work. What have been the implications of this for how modern economies are structured and what might we do to create a system which values people?
8. Do the ethical principles of indigenous cultures differ significantly from the ethics of modern societies? If so, what are the relevant differences and which principles ought we to choose for our current circumstances?
9. The ethical principles of indigenous cultures, for example as described by Mohawk philosopher Clare Brant, reflect the different social and economic structures of traditional societies. How do these ethical principles rest on, and support these more traditional social and economic structures?
10. In her study of Ladakh, Helena Norberg Hodge argues that the root of all our key social and environmental problems is the global economy. Is she correct? If so, why? If not, why not? Explain and analyze her arguments.
11. Are human societies becoming less violent or more violent? Explore and analyze the relevant arguments for and against, including Four Arrow’s article from our class discussion.
12. In her study of dominator systems and partnership societies, Riane Eisler draws a distinction between two kinds of hierarchy: hierarchies of power, and hierarchies of actualization. What is the relevant difference between these two structures and how does the distinction help us understand the solution to equality between genders and/or classes?
13. Prison abolitionists argue for a restorative approach to justice to replace the adversarial model of justice currently institutionalized in what Mariame Kaba calls our “criminal punishment system.” How does this restorative model differ from our current carceral approach? What are some of the practices? What is its view of human relationship?
14. Are humans separate from each other or are they spiritually interconnected and inter-existent? What are the moral and social ramifications for how we answer this question?
15. Does civilization inevitably bring with it social inequality, violence and domination?
16. Have men always dominated western culture? If not, what evidence suggests the contrary?
17. Are Neolithic figurines evidence of a fertility cult or do they have a deeper meaningfor how we understand the possibilities for human culture?
18. What problems might be solved by adopting a new social guidance system based on partnership rather than domination?
19. Make up your own question but be sure to check it with me first.
20. What is forgiveness, and is it possible?
Good Luck Mighty Companion!
Length: 6 pages
Format: Argumentative, posing a thesis or question and offering sustained argument.
References: Use at least two sources from class and two outside sources.
Submit: Via email to justin@oursanctuary.org
1. Neolithic Economist Marshal Sahlins argued that hunter-gatherers remain the ‘original affluent society’ in the sense that their needs were easily met. Are these undeveloped peoples really wealthier than modern individuals? In your answer, explain what you mean by ‘wealth.’
2. Does evil exist? If so, what is it? If not, why should we deny its reality?
3. Do the activities of the CIA and the American Deep State contradict the belief that the US government is the leading edge of freedom and democracy? If not, in what sense are they consistent with that description?
4. In what sense is Climate Change an ethical question? How can it be understood as a question in distributive justice? What are our ethical obligations, and to whom do we owe them, regarding climate change and global ecocide generally?
5. Does climate change and related environmental challenges facing the human race require merely better energy technologies, or do these challenges call for a new ethics? If the latter, what ethical principles are required?
6. Does the present carry obligations towards the future? If so, how do we quantify the duties that presently existing peoples have to future generations?
7. In his essay “Buddhist Economics,” E. F. Schumacher argues that modern economics denies the inherent value of work. What have been the implications of this for how modern economies are structured and what might we do to create a system which values people?
8. Do the ethical principles of indigenous cultures differ significantly from the ethics of modern societies? If so, what are the relevant differences and which principles ought we to choose for our current circumstances?
9. The ethical principles of indigenous cultures, for example as described by Mohawk philosopher Clare Brant, reflect the different social and economic structures of traditional societies. How do these ethical principles rest on, and support these more traditional social and economic structures?
10. In her study of Ladakh, Helena Norberg Hodge argues that the root of all our key social and environmental problems is the global economy. Is she correct? If so, why? If not, why not? Explain and analyze her arguments.
11. Are human societies becoming less violent or more violent? Explore and analyze the relevant arguments for and against, including Four Arrow’s article from our class discussion.
12. In her study of dominator systems and partnership societies, Riane Eisler draws a distinction between two kinds of hierarchy: hierarchies of power, and hierarchies of actualization. What is the relevant difference between these two structures and how does the distinction help us understand the solution to equality between genders and/or classes?
13. Prison abolitionists argue for a restorative approach to justice to replace the adversarial model of justice currently institutionalized in what Mariame Kaba calls our “criminal punishment system.” How does this restorative model differ from our current carceral approach? What are some of the practices? What is its view of human relationship?
14. Are humans separate from each other or are they spiritually interconnected and inter-existent? What are the moral and social ramifications for how we answer this question?
15. Does civilization inevitably bring with it social inequality, violence and domination?
16. Have men always dominated western culture? If not, what evidence suggests the contrary?
17. Are Neolithic figurines evidence of a fertility cult or do they have a deeper meaningfor how we understand the possibilities for human culture?
18. What problems might be solved by adopting a new social guidance system based on partnership rather than domination?
19. Make up your own question but be sure to check it with me first.
20. What is forgiveness, and is it possible?
Good Luck Mighty Companion!
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