M. Kagan, Philosophical Perspectives (PHL 201) Fall 2002
Group
Work on Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower, Chs.
1- 6.
Break up into small groups and discuss the following. Delegate one or more members of your group to prepare an oral and written summary of your group's discussion. The written summary is for the members of your group. (I suggest using a chart format for question #2.)
1. Who is the narrator? What is important about her? What particular problem is bothering her?
2. Make a list of the other characters in the first six chapters. What is important about them? What problem(s), if any, is/are bothering each of them?
3. Which of their problems do people share today? Which people share them?
4. Review the concept of parable. What is this parable about? Are any in your group familiar with another "parable of the sower?" If so, have them remind you of it; if not, ask people in the other groups.
5. Briefly summarize the narrator's theory of the human person. How is it related to her religious views?
6. What do you think the narrator thinks is the purpose of a community?What do you think of her opinion?
M. Kagan, PHL 201, Fall 2002
Some study questions for the next
quiz
1. Briefly describe non-dualist Vedanta and classical Buddhism as responses to the conflict of finitude. Which do you find most plausible? Why?
2. According to Freud's definition, is Earthseed a religion? Why or why not? What, if anything, does your answer suggest about the adequacy of Freud's definition of religion?