Michigan State University, Integrative Studies, Dr

Michigan State University, Integrative Studies, Dr. Christian Lotz

Study Questions, IAH 231a, Fall 2005, First Set of Questions

Please find below study questions that will help you organizing your readings.

Augustine:

1.  You should try to do research and read an overview of Augustine’s Confessions. We are only reading the first book of Augustine’s masterwork.

2.  Why does Augustine open the text in the form of a dialogue?

3.  What does he tell us about the nature of God?

4.  Why does he use so often questions?

5.  What is the role of time in the first book?

6.  Why does he start the account of his life with his infancy?

7.  Consider the role of memory? Why might this concept be central for Augustine’s conception of human beings?

8.  Why does he talk about his life?

9.  What do we learn (implicitly) about the nature of human beings?

Sartre:

1.  Sartre claims that 'existence precedes essence.' What does this mean?

2.  What is angst or anguish, and how does it arise?

3.  Explain Sartre’s overall picture of what it means to be human

4.  Why would Sartre claim that I am what I make out of myself?

5.  Why am I responsible for my actions, though, according to Sartre, there is no universal standard of evaluation

6.  How would you explain the difference between Augustine’s and Sartre’s view of human nature?

Cassirer:

Chapter II

1.  What is the general role of symbols, according to Cassirer? (24-25)

2.  How does Cassirer explain the concept of reality? (25)

Chapter III

3.  What kinds of language does Cassirer discuss in chapter III?

4.  What is the difference between signs and symbols?

5.  Recount Helen Keller’s story

6.  Explain the role that language plays in Keller’s story, according to Cassirer

7.  List the main characteristics of symbols

8.  Why is thought dependent on symbols, according to Cassirer?

9.  What are “ideal worlds?”

Chapter IV

10.  Explain the difference between organic, perceptual, abstract, and symbolic space

11.  Explain symbolic memory and symbolic future

Chapter V

12.  Why could we say, with Cassirer, that there are no “mere” facts?

13.  Why do humans need possible and ideal worlds?

14.  What is the function of utopias?

Chapter VI

15.  Why does Cassirer propose that we should analyze human beings in terms of human culture?

16.  Why do naturalistic theories fail?

17.  What does Cassirer mean by his claim that we should understand human nature as a functional one? (68)

18.  What is the task of philosophy, according to Cassirer?

Chapter VII

19.  What are the main characteristics of myth(s)?

20.  What are the main characteristics of “primitive mentality?” (82)

21.  Why could we claim, with Cassirer, that “primitive” is not the right term for describing the “pre-religious” mind?

22.  What is the main difference between myth and religion?

23.  What types of religion does Cassirer mention?

24.  What are the main characteristics of monotheistic religions?

25.  Why does Cassirer discuss the role of taboos?

Chapter VIII

26.  What is the main difference between the so called “animal language” and human language?

27.  What does Cassirer mean by his claim that we should conceive of language as energeia? (121)

28.  What is the difference between language and speech?

29.  What kind of unity of language does Cassirer expect. Explain!

Chapter IX (Art)

30.  Why is the theory of imitation insufficient, according to Cassirer?

31.  What does Cassirer mean by his claim that art is “formative” (140) and “constructive” (142)?

32.  What is the difference between scientific insight and insights art provides?

33.  What is aesthetic universality?

34.  What is the purpose of dramatic art, according to C.?

35.  What does the term “catharsis” mean?

36.  Why is art not a form of entertainment?

37.  What is the relation between play and art?

Chapter X/XI

38.  Why aren’t there “mere historical facts?”

39.  Why does history belong to the symbolic universe?

40.  Why has history to do with the dimension of the future?

41.  Why does a historian have to be a “humanist,” (= a person with general understanding of human nature) according to C.?

42.  Explain Cassirer’s main claim on p. 185

43.  What is a judgment, and why are historical judgments to complex?

44.  Why can historical science not be reduced to scientific thought?

45.  What is the “artistic element” in history?

Overall tasks:

1.  Try to formulate the overall thesis of Cassirer’s book.

2.  Why are art and history the most powerful instruments of the inquiry about human nature?