Group Work on Buddhism and The Future of an Illusion

Break up into small groups. Delegate one or more members of your group to
(1) prepare a summary of your group's discussion and
(2) make a list of your group's members (to refer to in your work)
(3)Make sure each member of your group has a copy of your answers (for use on the next quiz; also, please bring this summary to class for possible use on that quiz and/or the midterm).

Discuss your answers to the following questions.

1. If you tried to live according to Buddha's teachings what would you do?

2. If you tried to live according to Freud's teachings, what would you do?

3. Briefly explain how Freud uses the word "illusion."

4. According to Freud, would Buddhism count as a religion? Why or why not?

5.What is the conflict of finitude? How well, if at all, does Buddhism address this conflict? Defend your answer.

6. Why does H. Smith think different kinds of Buddhism developed? What kind appeals the most to you? Why?

7. Alternate credit activity:� Briefly explain what you take to be Buber's, Buddha's, and Freud's views of the conscious self, and whether or not these thinkers think such a self is an independent, enduring substance (if so please explain why; and if not, please explain why not).

M. Kagan, Le Moyne College, PHL 201, Fall 2002

Back to Kagan's homepage on webserver.lemoyne.edu (http://webserver.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html)
Back to other materials for PHL 201

�