Question 1

Fischer and Brueckner respond to Lucretius' Symmetry Argument by…

Accepted Answer

A)  denying that birth can be bad. 
B)  denying that death can be bad. 
C)  arguing that we are biased toward the future. 
D)  rejecting the claim that neither birth nor death are bad. 
A)  denying that birth can be bad. 
B)  denying that death can be bad. 
C)  arguing that we are biased toward the future. 
D)  rejecting the claim that neither birth nor death are bad. C

Question 2

In his great work, Ethics, the renowned 17th Century philosopher Spinoza says that "A free man thinks of death least of all things, and his wisdom is a meditation of life, not of death." Part IV, Proposition 67. Is Spinoza right?

Accepted Answer

The question of whether Spinoza is right in his assertion from Ethics, "A free man thinks of death least of all things, and his wisdom is a meditation of life, not of death," is a philosophical inquiry that invites subjective interpretation and personal reflection. Spinoza's statement, found in Part IV, Proposition 67 of his work, reflects his rationalist and pantheistic views.

Spinoza believed that everything is a manifestation of a single, underlying substance, which he called 'God' or 'Nature.' He argued that true freedom comes from understanding the nature of reality and living in accordance with the laws of nature. For Spinoza, wisdom is the intellectual love of God/Nature, and it leads to a way of life that is characterized by rationality and emotional balance.

According to Spinoza, a free person—someone who understands the nature of reality and lives in harmony with it—would not be preoccupied with the thought of death because they would recognize that death is a natural part of life. Instead, they would focus on living a life of virtue and reason, which is the essence of wisdom. In this sense, the free person's meditation on life is an affirmation of their existence and their place in the natural order, rather than a fear or preoccupation with the end of life.

Whether Spinoza is "right" depends on one's philosophical perspective. Some may agree with his view, finding that a focus on living well and in accordance with reason is indeed the path to freedom and wisdom. Others might argue that contemplating death is also a part of wisdom, as it can provide perspective on life's priorities and the transient nature of human existence.

Ultimately, the validity of Spinoza's claim is a matter of personal belief and philosophical alignment. It invites us to consider our own views on life, death, freedom, and wisdom, and to reflect on how these concepts shape our understanding of what it means to live a good life.

Question 3

Lucretius' Symmetry Argument…

Accepted Answer

A)  supports Epicurus' position on death. 
B)  denies that we go out of existence at death. 
C)  claims that death is an integral part of life. 
D)  argues that because death is bad, birth must be bad too. 
A)  supports Epicurus' position on death. 
B)  denies that we go out of existence at death. 
C)  claims that death is an integral part of life. 
D)  argues that because death is bad, birth must be bad too. A

Question 4

Could you have come into existence earlier than you did? Can you go out of existence later than you will? What makes you the person that you are?

Accepted Answer

The concept of existence and the passage

Question 5

The deprivation account purports to show that death can be bad if it deprives; given that death is annihilation, might that be an independent reason to think that death could be bad?

Accepted Answer

The deprivation account of the badness o

Question 6

Kaufman responds to Timmerman's Big Bang Argument by…

Accepted Answer

A)  denying that the Milky Way has to exist. 
B)  arguing that an earlier existing Milky Way does not deprive me of time alive. 
C)  claiming that the Big Bang argument is far too speculative to support Timmerman's conclusion. 
D)  arguing that if the Milky Way came into existence earlier, that possible world would be vastly different than our actual world. 
A)  denying that the Milky Way has to exist. 
B)  arguing that an earlier existing Milky Way does not deprive me of time alive. 
C)  claiming that the Big Bang argument is far too speculative to support Timmerman's conclusion. 
D)  arguing that if the Milky Way came into existence earlier, that possible world would be vastly different than our actual world.

Question 7

Kaufman responds to Fischer and Brueckner by…

Accepted Answer

A)  rejecting their account of personal identity. 
B)  claiming that both birth and death can deprive 
C)  arguing that their view begs the question. 
D)  arguing that their view fails to address Lucretius' symmetry argument. 
A)  rejecting their account of personal identity. 
B)  claiming that both birth and death can deprive 
C)  arguing that their view begs the question. 
D)  arguing that their view fails to address Lucretius' symmetry argument.

Question 8

According to Timmerman's Big Bang Argument…

Accepted Answer

A)  it is possible that the Milky Way not come into existence at all. 
B)  it is possible that the Milky Way will never go out of existence. 
C)  it is possible that the Milky Way came into existence earlier than it did. 
D)  it is not possible that the Milky Way came into existence later than it did. 
A)  it is possible that the Milky Way not come into existence at all. 
B)  it is possible that the Milky Way will never go out of existence. 
C)  it is possible that the Milky Way came into existence earlier than it did. 
D)  it is not possible that the Milky Way came into existence later than it did.

Question 9

Nagel argues that…

Accepted Answer

A)  birth can deprive, but death cannot. 
B)  death can deprive, but birth cannot. 
C)  both birth and death can deprive. 
D)  neither death nor birth can deprive. 
A)  birth can deprive, but death cannot. 
B)  death can deprive, but birth cannot. 
C)  both birth and death can deprive. 
D)  neither death nor birth can deprive.

Exam 15: Coming Into and Going Out of Existence

Fischer and Brueckner respond to Lucretius' Symmetry Argument by…

In his great work, Ethics, the renowned 17th Century philosopher Spinoza says that "A free man thinks of death least of all things, and his wisdom is a meditation of life, not of death." Part IV, Proposition 67. Is Spinoza right?

Lucretius' Symmetry Argument…

Could you have come into existence earlier than you did? Can you go out of existence later than you will? What makes you the person that you are?

The deprivation account purports to show that death can be bad if it deprives; given that death is annihilation, might that be an independent reason to think that death could be bad?

Kaufman responds to Timmerman's Big Bang Argument by…

Kaufman responds to Fischer and Brueckner by…

According to Timmerman's Big Bang Argument…

Nagel argues that…

Defining Death

Defining Death in a Technological World

We Die When Entropy Overwhelms Homeostasis

What It Is to Die

The Tragic Sense of Life Excerpts

Can We Survive Our Deaths

The Possibility of an Afterlife

Letter to Menoeceus

Two Arguments for Epicureanism

Why Death Is Not Bad for the One Who Dies

Death Is Bad for Us When Were Dead

Making Death Not Quite As Bad for the One Who Dies

On the Nature of Things Excerpts

If You Want to Die Later, Then Why Dont You Want to Have Been Born Earlier

The Epic of Gilgamesh Excerpts

The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die

How to Live a Never-Ending Novela

Taking Stock of the Risks of Life Without Death

Immortality, Boredom, and Standing for Something

Death, Mortality, and Meaning

Fitting Attitudes Towards Deprivations

The Enchiridion Excerpts

Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion Excerpts

Voluntary Death Excerpts

Letter to Lucilius

Why Grieve

The Significance of Future Generations

Death and Survival Online

Whether One Is Allowed to Kill Oneself Excerpts

Of Suicide Excerpts

Suicide Is Sometimes Rational and Morally Defensible

Suicide and Its Discontents

An Irrational Suicide

World As Will and Representation Excerpts

Death in Mind

Meaning in Life in Spite of Death

Out of the Blue Into the Black

Filters

In his great work, Ethics, the renowned 17^th Century philosopher Spinoza says that "A free man thinks of death least of all things, and his wisdom is a meditation of life, not of death." Part IV, Proposition 67. Is Spinoza right?