John was captured in a country that supports terrorism against the US. The US government believes that John has knowledge of a terror plot that, if successful, would kill thousands of people in New York City. The government wants to imprison John in a secret prison, and torture him to gain information about the plot. This would violate US law. If they do, there is a 75% likelihood that the attack will be avoided. As advisor to the President, what do you recommend?

Based on the sections of Kant you have read so far, what principles and ideas might Kant provide the President if he were advising them? Explain your answer with reference to the Kant document.

1. What are the social/historical factors that push us toward a definition of self that is individual or contained within us?
2. How does the article argue for a social rather than an individual definition of self? What are the major points of this argument?
3. From your perspective, which is more important in defining the authentic self - the self or social and cultural factors?
4. Are the following aspects of our identity generated internally (by our thoughts or our biology) or socially:
   • Political attitudes
   • Ethics
   • Gender
   • Sexuality

• What struck you about the article? What questions do you have (try to identify a quote to support this observation)
• Put d’Holbach’s argument into standard form (numbered premises and a conclusion). What evidence does d’Holbach present for each of the components of this argument? Be specific and use quotations from the document.
• What counter arguments does d'Holbach respond to? What are his responses?

• Questions on Stace?
• What Does Stace mean when he says on p. 420 that the “dispute (over freedom) is merely verbal”? In this vein, explain what Stace means by the five legged man example.
• Explain what Stace means when he says that the question of whether the world is deterministic or indeterministic is “wholly irrelevant to the problem of free will.”
• Based on Staceʼs definition of free will, what makes an action free?
• According to Stace, is punishment compatible with determinism? Why or why not?

• Read your assigned chapter(s) of the Tao Teh Ching.
• Discuss the chapter with your group and decide what you think the meaning of the chapter is.
• Using this link, look up your assigned chapter(s) and read through the three additional translations. How do the translations differ in terms of meaning? Which translation seems clearest? In light of the four translations together, how has your assessment of the meaning of the chapter changed?
• Be prepared to share 3 observations and pose one question regarding your chapter

• Discussion theme: Does the problem of evil logically disprove the existence of God? How might the problem of evil be repaired (think ACAR)?
• Group presentations followed by questions and discussion after each presentation
• Keep in mind we are discussing ideas, not beliefs. Questioning an idea is not the same as questioning a belief

• What is essence of humanity? What characteristic is most critical to establishing what it means to be human?
• Are humans inherently inclined toward good or evil?
• What, if anything, is the purpose of humanity?
• What are the central conflicts, ironies or paradoxes that define the human condition?
• What makes us who we are? Nature v. Nurture.
• What are humans not?

• How are attitudes about politics and social issues amongst young people generally different from that of older people?
• Why don't young people participate more vigorously in civic affairs?
• What can be done to increase this participation?
• How do adults that talk about this issue misunderstand the nature of the problem (or young people in general)

• What stood out about Friday's discussion? What could be improved as we do Socratic discussions in the future?
• What questions do you still have regarding Russell?

• Share what passage most struck you in this document. Explain why this passage struck you? (B)
• What questions arise from this document? (A)
• Why is this this document relevant in 2018?