Monday, September 29, 2014

Philosophy Exams This Week and Next

For my MCCC Philosophy of Religion Students:

Your oral exams will be in room A173b. Sept. 30 and Oct. 2.

The exam questions are:


  1. Explain Anselm's Ontological Argument for God's existence.
  2. Explain Gaunilo's response to Anselm, plus our response to Gaunilo.
  3. Explain Kant's criticism of the Ontological Argument.
  4. Explain William Lane Craig's Kalam Cosmological Argument for God's Existence.
  5. Explain Robin Collins's Anthropic Teleological Argument for God's Existence.

For my MCCC Western Philosophy Students:

Your oral exams will be in room A173b. oct. 2 and Oct. 7.

The exam questions are:

  1. Thales - a) What is the problem of the One and the many? b) What is Thales' solution to the problem of the One and the many; c) What is a contemporary example of the One and the many? d) Which ancient Greek philosopher (Pre-Socratic) anticipated quantum theory?
  2. Parmenides - What is Parmenides solution to the problem of the One and the many? 
  3. Plato - a) Explain Plato's (Socrates') idea of knowledge as recollection; b) explain Plato's Theory of Ideas; c) Explain Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"; d) What is a contemporary example of Plato's Idealism?
  4. Aristotle - a) Explain Aristotle's idea of form and matter; b) How does Aristotle explain "change?" c) How does Aristotle's reasoning provide an alternative to Parmenides?