Write a 7-10 page paper (double spaced) in which you provide: A personal reflection A discussion of one major issue from the course (see list on p. 3) A general reflection on the value of philosophizing Your paper should be divided into three parts corresponding to the numbers above. Please include headings in your paper at the beginning of each part.
QUESTION
Write a 7-10 page paper (double spaced) in which you provide:
- A personal reflection
- A discussion of one major issue from the course (see list on p. 3)
- A general reflection on the value of philosophizing
Your paper should be divided into three parts corresponding to the numbers above. Please include headings in your paper at the beginning of each part.
Part 1: Personal reflection (1 page)
Answer the following questions:
- Who are you?
- What beliefs are essential to who you are (i.e., If you did not possess these beliefs, you would no longer be who you are, live as you do, or view the world in the same way)?
Part 2: Issue (4-5 pages)
In this part of the journal, your task is to discuss your journey in thinking about one issue chosen from the list on p. 3. You should select an issue that is both important to you and where you have noticed intellectual growth over the course of the term. Please do the following, preferably in this order.
- Describe your view on the issue before this class and how this view was shaped over your lifetime. In discussing how this view was shaped, mention and weave into the discussion, when relevant, some of the following items: personal experiences, upbringing, education, influential figures (e.g., parents, teachers, friends, pop culture icons, pastors), books, poems, films, etc.
- Discuss how a chosen set (no more than 2 to 3) of ideas or arguments we examined have affected your view during this course. This should be a personal reflection in which you weave analysis and evaluation of the relevant ideas or arguments into a discussion of how your view has been affected over the term. I want to see a demonstration or portrait of you wrestling with the details and specifics of these ideas and arguments in an honest and critical way.
Although your view may not have changed (if it did, that’s great!), discuss how your view has grown – whether it be in terms of it becoming strengthened, weakened,[1] more informed, more nuanced, more multifaceted, etc. You must show the reader the connection between the details of whatever ideas or arguments chosen with your growth in thinking and viewing this issue.
Avoid simply summarizing these ideas and arguments. The aim is not to summarize, but to weave analysis and evaluation of selected course content into a personal reflection that shows you wrestling with this content in a manner that produces intellectual growth.
Although not required, you are encouraged at the end of this section to include a brief summary that compares and contrasts your view now with your view (that was discussed in Part 2.1) coming into the class.
Part 3: Reflection on the philosophizing (2-4 pages)
On the first day of the course, we defined philosophy as an activity that takes your beliefs about value, existence, and reality and challenges them through a process of critical reflection. As we have seen in this course, critical reflection (“philosophizing”) demands:
- Questioning the truth of your beliefs, even if these beliefs have great personal significance in your life
- Remaining open to the reasonability of views that, at first glance, appear mistaken or even absurd to you
- Demonstrating open-mindedness, humility, and objectivity in the face of difficult questions (about God, free will, personal identity, morality, etc.), even if you feel certain that you know the answer to the question
In the quote below, the 20th century thinker Bertrand Russell hints that a life without philosophy may have advantages in being less confused, more definite, and more comfortable. In contrast, as soon as we begin to philosophize, our lives may become more confused, less certain, and less comfortable. Below is the quote in full:
The man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from common sense, from the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation, and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the co-operation or consent of his deliberate reason. To such a man the world tends to become definite, finite, obvious; common objects rouse no questions, and unfamiliar possibilities are contemptuously rejected. As soon as we begin to philosophize, on the contrary, we find […] that even the most everyday things lead to problems to which only very incomplete answers can be given.[2]
With this quote in mind, answer the following prompt:
Do you believe that philosophizing is an important activity in life, even if its outcome may be confusion, uncertainty, and discomfort – a mindset in which “even the most everyday things lead to problems to which only very incomplete answers can be given”? Or is a life in which one’s “world [is] definite, finite, obvious [where] common objects rouse no questions, and unfamiliar possibilities are contemptuously rejected” a preferable one?
Format:
Your paper should take the following format.
- Part 1: Personal reflection
- Part 2: Reflections on your issue
III. Part 3: Reflections on philosophizing
List of Issues from Which You May Choose:
Below is a list of issues from which you may choose. Please select only one issue from this list. If you wish to write on an issue not included on this list, I kindly ask that you run it by me first.
- Whether I believe God exists
- Whether I believe that the existence of evil and suffering can be reconciled with the existence of an all-loving, all-powerful God
- Whether I privilege a utilitarian moral theory that emphasizes the happiness produced by the act or a Kantian moral theory that emphasizes whether the act respects an individual’s dignity and worth
- Whether I believe that my mind is more than simply my brain – and that my thoughts, sensations, and emotions are more than simply electrochemical impulses in my brain
- Whether I believe I have free will
- Whether I believe that I can know anything to be true about the world in which I live
[1] Be very honest, especially when it comes to expressing doubts, worries, or questions about your view. Are there any doubts you have about your view, and do you plan to address them after the course is over?
[2] Bertrand Russell. “Value of Philosophy”, in Louis Pojman. Introduction to Philosophy, (2008), 27
ANSWER
Reflections on Personal Beliefs and Philosophical Inquiry
Introduction
This paper aims to provide a personal reflection, discuss a major issue from the course, and reflect on the value of philosophizing. In Part 1, I will introduce myself and identify the beliefs that are essential to my identity. Part 2 will focus on a chosen issue from the provided list, exploring my initial view, its development, and the impact of ideas encountered during the course. Finally, in Part 3, I will reflect on the value of philosophizing in light of Bertrand Russell’s quote.
Part 1: Personal Reflection
Who am I?
I am an individual on a continuous journey of self-discovery, seeking knowledge, and striving for personal growth. My identity is shaped by various factors, including my cultural background, personal experiences, and interactions with others.
Essential beliefs
Several beliefs are central to my identity. If I were to lose these beliefs, I would undergo a significant transformation in how I perceive myself, live my life, and view the world. These beliefs include the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, the importance of empathy and compassion, and the pursuit of truth and knowledge.
Part 2: Issue – Reconciling the Existence of Evil and an All-Loving God
Initial view and shaping influences
Before this course, I held the belief that the existence of evil and suffering presented a significant challenge to the idea of an all-loving, all-powerful God. My view was shaped by personal experiences of witnessing suffering and contemplating the philosophical arguments surrounding the problem of evil (Moral Arguments for the Existence of God (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy), 2022). Additionally, I was influenced by religious teachings that emphasized God’s benevolence and the struggle to reconcile it with the presence of evil in the world.
Impact of course content
During the course, I engaged with various ideas and arguments related to the problem of evil. One particular argument that resonated with me was the notion of free will and its connection to moral responsibility. The exploration of different theodicies, such as the soul-making theodicy and the free will defense, provided me with a deeper understanding of how evil could potentially coexist with an all-loving God.
Personal growth and evolving perspective
Although my fundamental view on the issue remains largely unchanged, the course has contributed to the growth of my perspective. I have gained a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in reconciling the existence of evil and an all-loving God. My view has become more informed, acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and the existence of different perspectives on this profound theological question.
Summary and comparison
In summary, my initial view on the reconciliation of evil and an all-loving God was influenced by personal experiences and religious teachings. Throughout the course, my perspective has grown in its depth and complexity, incorporating various philosophical insights. While my core belief remains intact, it has become more informed, nuanced, and open to exploring different perspectives.
Part 3: Reflection on Philosophizing
Importance of philosophizing
Philosophizing is an essential activity in life, despite its potential to lead to confusion, uncertainty, and discomfort (Messerly, 2019). Bertrand Russell’s quote highlights the limitations of a life confined to common sense and habitual beliefs. Engaging in critical reflection challenges our assumptions, expands our knowledge, and encourages intellectual growth.
Benefits of philosophizing
Philosophizing opens doors to new possibilities and deeper understanding. It fosters intellectual curiosity, cultivates critical thinking skills, and promotes empathy by exposing us to diverse perspectives (Oppong, 2023). It encourages us to question and examine our own beliefs, fostering personal growth and intellectual humility.
Embracing uncertainty
While philosophizing may lead to incomplete answers and uncertain outcomes, it cultivates intellectual humility and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. The process of questioning and exploring different viewpoints allows us to acknowledge the complexity of the world and develop a more nuanced understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper provided a personal reflection, discussed the issue of reconciling the existence of evil and an all-loving God, and reflected on the value of philosophizing. Engaging in philosophical inquiry has allowed me to grow intellectually, challenge my beliefs, and develop a more nuanced perspective on important issues. Despite the potential for confusion and discomfort, philosophizing offers invaluable opportunities for personal growth, expanded knowledge, and the exploration of life’s profound questions.
References
Messerly, J. (2019, November 8). Bertrand Russell: The Value of Philosophy. Reason and Meaning. https://reasonandmeaning.com/2016/09/19/bertrand-russell-the-value-of-philosophy/
Moral Arguments for the Existence of God (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2022, October 4). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-arguments-god/
Oppong, T. (2023, June 28). Epistemic Humility: The Antidote to Intellectual Arrogance. Medium. https://medium.com/personal-growth/epistemic-humility-dont-expect-to-know-enough-to-be-sure-of-anything-b9db217d0299?source=tag_page———15-84——————–23ccdf7d_3c62_46de_9282_331c5cd9aa5d——-17

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