Philosophy 5: Critical Thinking and Composition  

Pierce College

Department of History, Philosophy, & Sociology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Priming Exercise for Descartes/Nye Essay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The following questions are supposed to spark a discussion.  The contents of the discussion will likely not find their way into the corresponding essay, but will hopefully allow writers to become familiar with the background issues surrounding the corresponding essay.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charitably, what did Socrates get right?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncharitably, what is wrong with Socrates? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncharitably, what's wrong with philosophy, if it is nothing more than Socrates? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(N.B. In what follows, I am not trying to convert anyone to becoming a philosophy major here.  Rather, I am only using the philosophy major as an example for making decisions about majors in general.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the stereotype of being a philosophy major after college when it comes to prosperity and/or happiness? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who should we listen to when deciding on our major?