Question 1

According to Epicurus, philosophy should be studied by

Accepted Answer

A)  The young. 
B)  The old. 
C)  Both a and b. 
D)  Neither a nor b.

Question 2

How does Scheffler respond to Alvy Singer's worries about the end of the universe? Is Scheffler's response persuasive? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Scheffler respond to Alvy Singer's...

Question 3

What problems does Vitrano find in Wolf's and Taylor's views of what constitutes a meaningful life, and how does her own view address these issues? Do you think her view improves on the first two?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What problems does Vitrano find in Wolf's...

Question 4

Why does Epicurus claim that death is nothing to us? Do you agree? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does Epicurus claim that death is...

Question 5

According to Taylor, we invent ways to

Accepted Answer

A)  Accept that life is meaningless. 
B)  Portray permanent ideals of goodness. 
C)  Deny the meaningless of life. 
D)  Both b and c

Question 6

Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates the extent to which what matters to us depends on our attitude toward the existence of the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

According to Taylor, a meaningful life provides

Accepted Answer

A)  Long-term satisfaction, regardless of the activities performed. 
B)  Worthwhile actions, regardless of the satisfaction involved. 
C)  Concern for the welfare of others. 
D)  A shared intuition about what is worthwhile.

Question 8

Scheffler discusses Alvy Singer, a film character troubled by

Accepted Answer

A)  The fear that the world is about to end. 
B)  Doubts about the existence of God. 
C)  Doubts about whether he will survive after death. 
D)  The fact that the universe is expanding and will ultimately break apart.

Question 9

Vitrano's understanding of "satisfaction" must include

Accepted Answer

A)  A collective acceptance of what is satisfying. 
B)  Rules of behavior. 
C)  Religious tenets. 
D)  An individual's personal sense of satisfaction.

Question 10

According to Scheffler, the prospect of our own deaths makes our projects seem less important just like the doomsday scenario does.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Wolf claims that in order for something to matter

Accepted Answer

A)  It must make a permanent difference to the world. 
B)  God must exist. 
C)  It must make a long-lasting difference to the world. 
D)  None of the above.

Question 12

According to Frankfurt, artistic creation might not lose its importance in the absence of belief in the afterlife because

Accepted Answer

A)  Artists are generally unconcerned with whether their work is admired or appreciated by others. 
B)  Producing works of art will remain personally satisfying to the artist. 
C)  Both a and b 
D)  Neither a nor

Question 13

According to Frankfurt, only activities that provide personal comfort and pleasure will continue to matter to us in the face of a doomsday scenario.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

What are the two alternative versions of the myth of Sisyphus that Taylor considers, and what lessons does he draw from them?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two alternative versions of...

Question 15

Do you agree with Vitrano that satisfaction lies "within yourself," independent of the judgment of others? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Vitrano that satisfaction...

Question 16

Frankfurt claims that the loss of belief in the afterlife would not make many projects and activities lose their importance in the way Scheffler alleges. How does Frankfurt argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt claims that the loss of belief...

Question 17

Epictetus marks an important distinction between

Accepted Answer

A)  The opinions of the wealthy and the opinions of the poor. 
B)  What is in one's power and what is not. 
C)  Athens and Rome. 
D)  Slave and master.

Question 18

According to Epicurus, good and bad consist in

Accepted Answer

A)  Philosophical contemplation. 
B)  Divine revelation. 
C)  Sensation. 
D)  Forms.

Question 19

According to Scheffler, the doomsday scenario might undermine many creative pursuits because

Accepted Answer

A)  Artists would be too distressed to continue to work. 
B)  The destruction of human life would rob artists of a future audience. 
C)  Both a and b 
D)  Neither a nor b

Question 20

What does Wolf mean by "active engagement"? Do you agree with her that someone engaged in a project of worth but bored with it does not have a meaningful life? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Wolf mean by "active engagement"?...

Exam 13: The Meaning of Life

According to Epicurus, philosophy should be studied by

How does Scheffler respond to Alvy Singer's worries about the end of the universe? Is Scheffler's response persuasive? Why or why not?

What problems does Vitrano find in Wolf's and Taylor's views of what constitutes a meaningful life, and how does her own view address these issues? Do you think her view improves on the first two?

Why does Epicurus claim that death is nothing to us? Do you agree? Explain.

According to Taylor, we invent ways to

Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates the extent to which what matters to us depends on our attitude toward the existence of the afterlife.

According to Taylor, a meaningful life provides

Scheffler discusses Alvy Singer, a film character troubled by

Vitrano's understanding of "satisfaction" must include

According to Scheffler, the prospect of our own deaths makes our projects seem less important just like the doomsday scenario does.

Wolf claims that in order for something to matter

According to Frankfurt, artistic creation might not lose its importance in the absence of belief in the afterlife because

According to Frankfurt, only activities that provide personal comfort and pleasure will continue to matter to us in the face of a doomsday scenario.

What are the two alternative versions of the myth of Sisyphus that Taylor considers, and what lessons does he draw from them?

Do you agree with Vitrano that satisfaction lies "within yourself," independent of the judgment of others? Why or why not?

Frankfurt claims that the loss of belief in the afterlife would not make many projects and activities lose their importance in the way Scheffler alleges. How does Frankfurt argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?

Epictetus marks an important distinction between

According to Epicurus, good and bad consist in

According to Scheffler, the doomsday scenario might undermine many creative pursuits because

What does Wolf mean by "active engagement"? Do you agree with her that someone engaged in a project of worth but bored with it does not have a meaningful life? Explain.