1. Seers, Death and December, 1987
a) Conversation with the man who had died earlier that day,
and what he experienced was not what he expected;
b) The tale of the psychic-would you want to be told the future if if you had an
opportunity? [EC]
c) Regarding seers and others who know what is likely to be the future -
when should they speak? Example of the MD who can tell when meeting
you that if you don't have a mole removed it will likely lead to a fatal
cancer.
2. Prophecy which is about an open future (can be change) and prophecy
which is about a closed fixed future that cannot be changed and the
arguments that the future is closed or open:
a) basic determinism argument;
b)basic predestination argument;
c) basic fatalist argument
d) William James' response.
Post scripts:
1. Talk about Lisa Goldstein's "Cassandra's Photographs" and
those who like to plan and those who prefer spontaneity and surprise.
Which is better and for whom? [EC]
2. One edge of prophecy is that sometimes it only works when what it predicts
does not come to pass.
a) But if it does not happen, how do you know it worked?
b) And the other side (if good - for the one who sees potential where others do
not) only works if it works otherwise one wonders...
Break up into small groups. Delegate one or more members of your group to
(1) Make a list of your group's members, and include that list when you
(2) Post your group's responses to the following four questions.
[Only one member of the group needs to submit this here on Canvas for
all the members to receive credit.]
If you were not present in class for this exercise, you may complete it
(in less than two pages) as a typed assignment and submit the work here
on Canvas.
Individual/group work – answer some or all of the following three:
Would you want to be told the future if you had an opportunity?
Do you know any people who have wasted years of their lives because
they thought they knew where they were going? What happened?
(Please change names and identifying details to protect privacy.)
Michael Kagan
November 16, 2004 (revised 11/19/04, 3/29/17; 4/3/22)