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Exploring Non-Philosophical Stimuli

The document provides examples of various non-philosophical stimuli that could be used to explore philosophical issues in a course. These stimuli include photographs, paintings, advertisements, novels, plays, poems, cartoons, websites, letters, newspaper articles, TV/radio shows, and propaganda. The stimuli raise questions about topics such as the difference between appearance and reality, the immortality of humans, existentialism, social conditioning, the mind-body problem, consciousness, morality, values regarding animal treatment, human nature, the relationship between science and religion, and the manipulation of truth.

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2K views6 pages

Exploring Non-Philosophical Stimuli

The document provides examples of various non-philosophical stimuli that could be used to explore philosophical issues in a course. These stimuli include photographs, paintings, advertisements, novels, plays, poems, cartoons, websites, letters, newspaper articles, TV/radio shows, and propaganda. The stimuli raise questions about topics such as the difference between appearance and reality, the immortality of humans, existentialism, social conditioning, the mind-body problem, consciousness, morality, values regarding animal treatment, human nature, the relationship between science and religion, and the manipulation of truth.

Uploaded by

jamesdeignan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Below are several examples of non-philosophical stimuli and the kind of issues that might be raised and explored

in the coursework. Photograph: This shows a mirage which raises the issue of how we can know the difference between appearance and reality.

Visual Image: This contemplating angel raises the issue of the possible immortality of a human being.

Painting: An evocation of the existential interpretation of the human condition: angst.

Advertisement: How much of our social conditioning is cultural; how much of it part of our nature?

Cartoon: How do our mind and body interact?

Novel: This piece raises the question of the inner world of consciousness. Despite his heterodoxy, faults and weaknesses, Clare was a man with a conscience. Tess was no insignificant creature to toy with and dismiss; but a woman living her precious lifea life which, to herself who endured or enjoyed it, possessed as great a dimension as the life of the mightiest to himself. Upon her sensations the whole world depended to Tess; through her existence all her fellow-creatures existed, to her. The universe itself only came into being for Tess on the particular day in the particular year in which she was [Link] Tess of the dUrbervilles by Thomas Hardy (first published 1891)

Play: Macbeth gives an interpretation of the meaning of life. Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more; it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying [Link] 5, scene 5 Poem: An illustration of the relationship between humans and the natural world. And since to look at things in bloom Fifty springs is little room, About the woodlands I will go To see the cherry hung with snow. From Loveliest of Trees, The Cherry Now by A E Housman

Cartoon: The dream-world and its place as part of the human mind; part of human nature.

Internet site (Horse evolution): The clash between knowledge as claimed by science and knowledge as claimed by religious belief.

Letter: A moral dilemma arising from a common inter-personal relationship. Dear Deirdre I have been going out with a boy for ten weeks and he says that he wants to move our relationship onto a more physical [etc.]

Newspaper article: The tension between different values placed on our treatment of animals. Dont Save The Tiger! There are only about 400 tigers left in India and their conservation is a waste. The amount of money that is spent on preserving these animals amounts to $20 000 per tiger per year and [etc.]From The Times 8th January 2010

TV/Radio show: Differences among human types: how natural is our nature? Hancocks Half-Hour (The Blood Donor) Hancock: I want to be sure it goes to the right sort of person. I wouldnt like to think of any old hobbledehoy having my blood coursing through his veins. Nurse: When a blood transfusion is given, a persons background is of no consequence. Hancock: You cant expect me to believe that; after all, East is East and West is Nurse: Mr Hancock, blood is classified according to group and not by accident of birth. Hancock: I came here to give bloodnot to listen to a lecture on communism, young lady! Nurse: I happen to be a Conservative! Hancock: Then kindly behave like one, madam.

Propaganda: The manipulation of the truth for the greater good of society. (In this picture the people shown were not really queueing at the unemployment office.).

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