PHI 202 The Meaning of Life and Death
PHI 202 The Meaning of Life and Death essay assignment
PHI 202 The Meaning of Life and Death essay assignment
Weber finds that modern science produces “the disenchantment of the world” as explained on pages 12-13, through its rational and calculative method. Weber then starts to worry that some may be bothered that there is no longer any meaning in science. He then remarks that others, such as Tolstoy, worry whether death, or life itself, have any meaning for civilized man today. Weber gives Tolstoy’s reasoning on page 13. Is this Tolstoy’s reason? If so, why, how? Abraham’s life had meaning, how, why? Yet this is no longer true for modern civilized man, who can often be “tired of life”, but not fulfilled by it (p.13). Weber also contrasts this view of the meaning of life with Plato’s view on pages 13-14. Why is Plato’s view of life one that has meaning, how does Plato find meaning in a life well lived?
Get solution to your nursing paper : PHI 202 The Meaning of Life and Death
Weber recapitulates his confrontation with Tolstoy on page 17. “Science is meaningless because it has no answer to the only questions that matter to us: What should we do? How should we live?” Does the fact/ value distinction Weber remarks on have any bearing on this issue? Does the return to a mode of value “polytheism of values”, or what he labels “the warring gods” (27-30) have any bearing on this issue of meaning for Weber?
You may or may not present the views of Weber in your essay. You should present how Tolstoy presents the meaning of life in the story of Ivan’s life and death. In particular, show how Ivan finds his answer through his conversation with “the voice of his soul” on pages 83-91.
Your task is to formulate a question from these texts and then answer that question. Present your answer as a thesis statement and provide evidence and reasons for your answer. You may provide your own answers, but be sure to also provide the response that Tolstoy includes in his story of Ivan’s life and death.