Group work on Confucius and Becker for PHL 201, Fall 2002.

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.
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 final).
 

Discuss your answers to the following questions.

1. What problem is bothering Confucius, according to Smith? What is Confucius' response to this problem?

2. What problem is bothering Becker in Birth and Death of Meaning? What is Becker's response to this problem?

3. Briefly give what you take to be the best arguments offered for either Confucius' or Becker's responses.

4. Do either of these thinkers offer important insights into the human situation? If not, where did they go wrong? If so, how could someone apply those insights? If you [or any member of your group if you are doing this as a group exercise] have done so (or tried to do so) already, please explain how it went.

5.  Is there an example of  human nature as an ideal in Becker's Birth and Death of Meaning?  If so, what is it.  Is  Becker's approach consistent with that of Confucius?  Why or why not?

6.   If you tried to live according to the teaching of Becker's Birth and Death of Meaning what would you have to do?

7.   If you lived according to Confucius' teaching, what would you have to do?

8.   Is Confucius' or Le Moyne College's required curriculum consistent with the educational implications of  Becker's Birth and Death of Meaning?  Why or why not?

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