Deck 19: Self-Respect and Protest

Question 1

Playing the devil's advocate, imagine and describe how Booker T. Washington would reply to Bernard Boxill's argument. Are you ultimately more sympathetic with the sort of view championed by Washington or by Dubois and Boxill? Why?

Answer 1

Demonstrate understanding of both Boxill's position and Washington's.
Develop a thoughtful position on self-respect and protest, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 2

In the course of his argument, Bernard Boxill makes numerous claims about the nature of self-respect. Identify as many of these as you can. Do they present a coherent picture of self-respect, and are they all necessary features of self-respect? If not (for either question), does that affect the strength of Boxill's argument for better or worse?

Answer 2

Demonstrate understanding of Boxill's position on self-respect.
Develop a thoughtful position on self-respect, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 3

Many in the popular media have mocked college students for protesting about race-related issues on their campuses. Rather than demonstrating self-respect, these individuals seem to think that college students are demonstrating their self-absorption and lack of perspective. Google "college campus race protest," read up on what's happened on one campus, and summarize what you learned. Then, answer the following question: In the case you've researched, would Bernard Boxill agree with the critics, or would he say that these protesters were demonstrating self-respect? Either way, why?

Answer 3

Provide a helpful overview of what happened on one campus.
Demonstrate understanding of Boxill's position on self-respect.
Develop a thoughtful position on the chosen case, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 4

Booker T. Washington maintains that protesting injustice ________ one's self-respect.

A) Always destroys
B) Can help sustain
C) Has no effect on
D) May increase
E) Can undermine

Question 5

According to W. E. B. Dubois, protesting injustice ________ one's self-respect.

A) Always destroys
B) Can help sustain
C) Has no effect on
D) May increase
E) Can undermine

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a reason that Booker T. Washington gives for denying that any self-respecting person should protest injustice.

A) It is selfish
B) It is not self-reliant
C) It is self-pitying
D) It is dangerous
E) Washington does not give any of these reasons

Question 7

On Booker T. Washington's view, who are the main beneficiaries of resolving injustice?

A) The victims of injustice
B) The perpetrators of injustice
C) Society as a whole
D) Future generations
E) Members of other nations

Question 8

W. E. B. Dubois holds that protesting injustice can be undertaken in which of the following circumstances?

A) Even if it is dangerous
B) Only when it is safe
C) Only when it is ineffective
D) Only when it is effective
E) Even it is not self-respecting

Question 9

The similarity Boxill highlights between the slave stealing from his master and a person protesting injustice is that both seek to be recognized as ________:

A) Human beings
B) Moral beings
C) Economic agents
D) Valuable assets
E) All of the above

Question 10

Boxill affirms that protesting injustice brings about or strengthens ________ of one's own self-respect.

A) Certainty
B) Knowledge
C) Understanding
D) Possession
E) Desire

Question 11

Boxill argues that it is ________ for a person to want to lose their self-respect.

A) Unusual
B) Impossible
C) Common
D) Conceivable
E) Absurd

Question 12

Boxill argues that it is ________ for a person to lose their self-respect.

A) Unusual
B) Impossible
C) Common
D) Conceivable
E) Absurd

Question 13

Boxill thinks that a completely servile person ________ self-respecting.

A) Is always
B) Is usually
C) Can easily be
D) Can rarely be
E) Cannot be