Dr. Ari Santas’

Presocratics Exercise

 

 

A. Using only your own observations and reasonings about them (i.e., without using any body of scientific tradition), give an account which explains both of the following cycles:

 

1.    Day/Night

2.    Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter

 

Provide illustrations.

 

 

B. Using only your own observations of events in the world, human actions and interactions, and your reasonings about them (i.e., without using any moral or religious tradition), answer the following questions:

 

1.    Why do bad things happen to bad people?

2.    Why do bad things happen to good people?

3.    Why do good things happen to good people?

4.    Why do good things happen to bad people?

 

C. Combine with other group(s) and create a single model to account for both A and B and present to the class.

 

Out of Class Follow-Up Exercise

Now look up some of the Pre-Socratic Philosophers and explain

 

1.    Their divergence from mythological explanations

2.    their preoccupation with fundamental principles (the arche)

3.    their tendency to criticize (sometimes ferociously) their fellow inquirers