Summer, 1999, PHICYBER Discussion Assignments

Each week or so during our 6-week class voyage, I will post here an issue for discussion (it will be referenced in your PHICYBER email, as well). With each assigned topic, you are to develop your response to the problem at hand. Any readings or helpful materials will be mentioned here, too, and all are available through the Valdosta Philosophy Resources site. Of particular note is the excellent resource site Episteme Links, maintained by my friend Tom Stone, and you will no doubt find this to be an incredible resource center that is fully searchable. In addition to your response to my weekly question or problem, you are to respond (pro or con) to at least two other participants' responses--more, of course, if you want to. As you will see, this generates a good deal of thoughtful dialogue, which will become the online class meetings. However, keep your PHICYBER remarks focussed on the relevant issues under discussion; other comments or chats with your classmates should be carried on 'out of class,' so to speak, through regular email person to person exchanges. Thanks--for this will keep down the volumes of email sent to the whole group......Your cyberguide, Barnette

Topic #1--Truth and Wisdom

'Philosophy' literally means 'Love of Wisdom,' and Socrates stressed early on the importance of the philosophical activity as a means for achieving knowledge and the wisdom that comes with it. Countless debates through the centuries have argued over just how philosophy should proceed, in order to gain knowledge, but there has been general agreement that some philosophical undertaking will achieve this goal--except for the skeptics, who deny that genuine knowledge will ever be gained. We will talk about the skeptics later, as I will have some questions for you on this sent through PHICYBER. But as we begin our dialogue together, I want you to ponder the questions: What is knowledge? and What is Wisdom? How does Truth figure into this? And what is Truth? These are very important questions in the area of philosophy known as Epistemology. So I want us to discuss and debate what you take to be the very essence of epistemology--Knowledge, Truth and Wisdom...

What I want is your own views on this--for they are important to me, as we all seek to gain insights into philosophical imagination and inquiry. Good luck..see you in cyberspace!!

Topic #2---Faith and Human Reason

Bertrand Russell was a very influential 20th C. philosopher whose writings were always controversial, especially his so-called 'popular essays.' One theme he dealt with had to do with faith and human reason. Many considered Russell to be a blatant atheist--others thought of him as inspirational. Whatever one thinks of him, his challenges and controversies have provoked much dialogue. I would like to have your thoughts on his essay "Why I am Not a Christian," a very controversial piece indeed. It's not a long essay; read it and respond to what you take be his strong and weak points--and tell the group the reasons for your reactions. Please refrain from overly emotional reactions--and for some this will be difficult!! Let us generate some valuable dialogue on this topic, as we persue our inquiry together.. I will have more to add on the PHICYBER list discussion. I look forward to your thoughts..Here's the link to the online essay by Russell.

Topic #3---Socratic Thinking Today

Socrates argued for the value of a highly interactive setting for dialogue, debate and discussion, in which one's ideas could be reviewed, criticized and defended--all directed toward the goal of reaching the truth about the matter. Yet his open attitude and criticisms of those who claimed to be in the know yielded a death-sentence for him in the court of ancient Athens, Greece. It seemed that open criticism and debate over traditional views landed him in trouble, indeed! I include here a fine website on the Last Days of Socrates, which includes key texts and commentary, especially for the dialogue The Apology, in which Socrates is tried for 'corrupting the youth.'  Take time and read this essay, and get to know 'the father of philosophy's view on the importance of open discussion and free speech..And then answer the question, posed for our next PHICYBER discussion assignment: "What would Socrates think about the Internet and our PHICYBER 'Electronic' forum??" Would he support our new technology for learning? Or would he be doubtful about its successful place in philosophical debate?? What would Socrates think about the Internet??  I look forard to your responses, as all participants need to share their thoughts on this question.. Thank you..

Topic #4---Brains, Minds and You

Our next voyage has us explore our ideas about personal identity, about who you are in relation to your mind, brain and body. Here is a thought experiment I want you the reflect upon and respond to on PHICYBER--important are your reasons for the decision you make, so share them for class dialogue...Here's the scenario: Two people are going to the high-tech hospital for a brain transplant. Person A has incurable brain cancer, but an otherwise normal rest of the body. Person B's body is terminally ill, but B's brain is intact. The plan is for B's brain to be transplanted and reconnected to A's body in a wholly functioning manner (you are to assume that this will be successful). Part of your discussion will involve just what (or who) you think of the surviving new brain-body individual. Question: supposing that YOU are one of these people, who would you choose to be: Person A or Person B? Why? You might want to look at some essays on personal identity, mind, and body in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, an excellent online resource. And here's a fun story I picked up on the web for your amuzement:

Brain Transplant

A hospitalized man needed a brain transplant. Fortunately for him, two people died while he was in the hospital and the families wished to donate their brains.  The doctor approached the man and said, "I've got two brains available.  One from a man and one from a woman. The man's brain will cost you $100,000 and the woman's brain will cost you $40,000."

The patient asked "Why the difference in price?" The doctor responded, "The woman's brain is used."

I look forward to your lively discussion on this new topic...Barnette

Topic #5---Assisted Suicide

My friend, Dr. Lawrence Hinman, has the best website on ethics on the Internet. I want you to go to his website for information on Assisted Suicide, and develop your position on whether doctors, such as Dr, Kovorkian, should be allowed to help patients die. Is physician-assisted suicide morally right, or wrong, in your opinion? Why or why not? Good luck.
Hinman's Ethics Update page will give you access to the relevant information you can use.