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A really good revision question…

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Every so often i get a really good question emailed to me… Here’s the latest… Hope it helps and pleas keep them coming….(james@ibphilosophy.org)

You know the five skhandas are they there the Buddha’s way of proving there is no self and that the the five skandas are things which people argue make you who you are and the Buddha is saying that is rubbish in his own holy buddhist way?

And here’s the reply:

Ye you’ve nailed it. The skhandas are five of the things that the Buddha thought most people wud say make as the same over time. But all five are IMPERMANENT and so cannot be the thing in me that’s the same today and tomorrow. Because of this, he thinks that people who believe in a permanent self have got it wrong.

The worst thing about this is that belief in the self leads to some pretty strange behaviour and usually increased DUKKHA suffering. Hatred, greed and delusion usually all stem from not just believing in a self but that ‘I’ am better/more deserving of things than other people.

Hope your having a good weekend, in the quiz the other day you knew loads so you’ll be totally fine…

See ya Monday

MacIntyre on Nietzsche’s Criticism of Kant’s Ethics

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I’m a bit of a big fan of Alasdair MacIntyre. His Short History of Ethics carried me through my studies at university before reading After Virtue and then moving in a slightly different direction. Here he describes Nietzsche’s criticism of Kant very clearly. I would have this discussed in any IB or A Level (this isn”t in Higher or AH but good to know about) essay on Kant’s Ethics:

…Nietzsche’s accusation is that in fact Kant assumes what he sets out to prove. He takes it for granted that we are entitled to make moral judgements and enquires what must be the case if this is so; he never asks, as Nietzsche does, whether we are so entitled.

 

I know it’s too early… But…

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here are some excellent resources that you could use to aid you in your RMPS (Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies) revision… especially when your getting bored of writing… First is utilitarian philosopher talking about the use of embryos on bigthink.com:

The above would be perfect for Int 2, this one might be better for those of you doing advanced or higher… Baroness Warnock on Radio 2 (I haven’t listened to this yet but hear it’s very useful):

Kingdom of Heaven Challenge

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Jesus had this massive idea to try and explain to people. To help them get it he gave lots of pictures. Try and work out what you think the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ really is…

To post your paragraph click on ‘comments’ below. Just put your initials in the name box, any email (it won’t come up) and leave the web page blank, then paste your answer from word or pages… Try and make your answer the very best you can…

Thank You :)

Real Life Philosophy – The Problem of Evil

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A reasonably straight forward revision exercise to help you remember everything you know for higher or int2 philosophy and rmps.

  • for each of the ‘texts’ considered write a paragraph on each:
  • what does the ‘text’ say
  • what does this have to do with the ‘problem of evil’?
  • does it fit with the views of any philosopher you know of?
  • which of the four’s sentiments do you tend to find yourself agreeing with the most? why?
  • HW: at home find another viewpoint on this ‘problem’
  • it must be from somewhere in the media…
  • you need to bring a paragraph with you titled ‘is what it says real?’

‘Texts’ on evil…

 

 

 

Click Above for a file of the ‘texts’…

The Case for God? – BBC Documentary

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With religion coming under increasing attack from atheists and sceptics, The Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, goes into the lion’s den, putting his faith publicly on the line by debating with some of the sharpest critics of his faith. Howard Jacobson believes ritual demeans religion, Alain de Botton doubts that any one faith has the truth, Professor Colin Blakemore thinks science makes religion redundant, and Professor Lisa Jardine questions why God allows evil and suffering in this world (BBC).

Remember to include a summary of each discussion and the most important point. Then try to fit what you heard with what you have learned about this year. Who do you find the best critic of belief in God and why? Try and present both sides and conclude with you opinion and reason. Use internet research to supplement your answer.  Your finished review will be more than 600 words.

Comment below; remember for name put your initials; for email put your school one…

Int 2 RMPS revision check-list…

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Hiyaaa and good luck for tomorrow’s exam. I’m sure you’re all going to do wonderfully. I was just doing a final check through the SQA arrangement documents (click for link) and I’ve included the bits you need to know here. You should find this list of outcomes pretty reassuring as we have covered far more than the minimum necessary.

On Buddhism:

On Ethics:

And on Philosophy of Religion:

And:

In terms of advice, read your booklet (available here), answer the question, stick to your timings and (almost) always give both sides in Analysis and Evaluation type questions…

And as always:

Explain why you think what you think.

Get a good sleep tonight and Good Luck! – I’ll see you outside tomorrow.

Good luck for Philosophy from Torridon

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Good luck for tomorrow’s exam I’m sure you’re all going to do great… Remember to answer the question precisely and to evidence everything you say. Every time you see AE marks you are expected to analyse and evaluate which usually means strengths and weaknesses and “is it real?” sort of answers… Explain around everything you say an stick to to your timings… Good Luck :)