Reflection Essay # 3 Prompt
Humanities 2: Human Values

DUE: Sunday, June 12, 2016 by 11:55pm

Instructions: These reflection posts are a chance for you to think through and relate to the assigned readings and other resources in your own way. Think of this post as a kind of “journal” in which you reflect on the ideas in the readings, and supplemental video and audio files. The study of the Humanities can be a highly personal experience and each person will undoubtedly approach the subjects and themes involved in his or her own way. As such, you are encouraged to relate the ideas, issues, and questions in the course readings/audios/videos to your own life experiences. However, be aware that creativity and chaos are not synonymous—in other words, you need to make sure the ideas and thoughts expressed in your paper are coherent and understandable, and most importantly, that they directly relate to the subject matter. Make sure you include references to the Zeuschner reading and other assigned articles/videos/audios in your reflection essays—either through the inclusion of direct quotations, or by paraphrasing what was said in these sources and giving proper credit to the source by citing it in your essay. Essays should be a minimum of 825-1000words.

Prompt
Answer all THREE numbered questions below:
1.) Based on your reading of chapter 4 in the textbook on Augustine, reflect on the differences between Greek ethics and Christian ethics. How does Augustine’s Christian ethics differ from Greek understandings of ethics, human nature, and “the good life” from previous chapters?
2.) As described in chapter 4, Augustine must try to reconcile the problem of evil (also known as the problem of theodicy – see Zeuschner, p. 80-97) with his understanding of the Judeo-Christian God as all-benevolent (all-good), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful). Augustine attempts to do this in several ways. Which of his explanations for the existence of evil in the world makes the most sense to you? What do you think Augustine would say about the problem of evil as it appears in the Book of Job (see video lecture from this unit)? What do you, personally, think about the problem of evil? In other words, why do we suffer?
3.) Briefly summarize Ursula K. LeGuin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” and then describe the basic moral dilemma in the story. What do you think Kant and Mill would have to say about the ethical dilemma in this story? Would they think the child’s suffering was morally defensible or morally repugnant, or somewhere in between? Make sure state what Kant AND Mill would think, and support your argument with quotes from the textbook or other resources on Kant and Mill.