Possible Questions for the 3rd Exam

Honors Introduction to Philosophy 
 

The exam will be one of these five questions.  You may use one page of notes and copies of the texts that are not annotated.  Remember that an essay must have a thesis and that you must offer support for your thesis.  Do not include superfluous elements.

1. We know Cornel West is a Christian.  Is he also a Marxist?  Defend your view.
   
    
2. Cornel West and Nietzsche both are addressing the problem of nihilism.  Contrast their views about the origin and nature of nihilism, and contrast their proposed solutions.  Explain and defend your position as well.
   
    
3. Freire develops an explicit philosophy of education.  Since Zarathustra’s “work” is teaching, there must be an implicit philosophy of education in Nietzsche as well.  Develop a thesis that compares their philosophies of education, and defend your views on whose ideas make more sense.  (Alternatively, you may use Freud rather than Nietzsche.)
   
    
4. All the philosophers that we have studied are concerned with finding or creating value or meaning in human life.  Write a survey of their different positions.  Develop and defend an interesting thesis comparing their perspectives.