TimLinks

Western Civilization
Fall 2008 Semester
Papers Due  November 7, 2008

Read Class Writing Rules for Papers on link to the left

Choose one question from the list below.
Choose from the following questions
   1,2,3,4,5,8,16,17,19,20,22,28

1. What is the natural condition of mankind: belligerent or peaceful? Thomas Hobbes, in his work Leviathan, describes man in the state of nature as an emotional being living in a society depicted by the following Latin phrase: “omnia bellum contra omnes” (a war of all against all). Jean Jacques Rousseau, in The Social Contract, portrays mankind as largely controlled by reason who is able to control emotions.

2. Why is there conflict in history and why at times is conflict resolved or not resolved?

3. How do people gain knowledge of other people? The scientific method suggests that we gain knowledge of the world and others through observation, experimentation and verification. Do we employ the scientific method in our relationships with others or do we distort our perception of others like Francis Bacon describes in Novum Organum. (Recall the Idols of the tribe, cave, market place and theatre).

4. In what ways does history appear to repeat itself? Does history really repeat itself? Does every generation believe itself to be unique and therefore does not need to learn from perceived inferior past generations?

5. Are we all potential fascists? Are we all capable of brutal terrorism if the conditions are right? Why do colleges have human service type courses? Do you think respect for humanity is genetic or culturally based?

6. Why do we hate and love?

7. Who or what is most responsible for changing history? (Great men/women, God, spiritual or historical forces).

8. To what degree does technology affect the way we look upon ourselves and the rest of the world? Do we think less of someone in the year 2000 who still uses a 1950ish style typewriter as opposed to someone who uses a powerful laptop computer with a highly interactive CD ROM? If someone refuses to study and implement the latest technology into their lives, do we automatically make an unfounded judgement of that person?

9. Are we easily impressed with someone who has the gift of rhetoric?

10. Should history be a collective global responsibility and not something attached to individual people or nations?

11. When is nationalism healthy or unhealthy? What do we think of a nation that either tolerates or condemns flag burning?

12. When people talk, do others listen?

13. What should we forget or remember in history? Can we forgive without forgetting?

14. Why do people engage in collective emotional disassociation?

15. In his book The Nordic Soul, Ludwig Claus attempted to relate racial characteristics of people to geography. How often do we judge or evaluate people by where they live?

16. In what ways could language cause misunderstandings or wars in history?

17. Should history be studied only as an intellectual exercise or from the heart as an emotional or romantic experience?

18. How do we determine what is good and evil in history?

19. What does it mean to be an individual? Do bureaucracies control people? Can the electronic and print media determine the way a nation thinks? Do feature length movies educate the masses?

20. How do you define freedom consistent with order?

21. Would you recognize your culture if a total foreigner explained it?

22. Why do we need national symbols?

23. What is your evaluation of Oscar Schindler?

24. If you lived in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, would you be willing to risk your life to hide Jews in your house, lead Jews to safety or join an organization with an aim to destroy the Nazis?

25. Why didn’t the Jews revolt against the Nazi guards in the work camps?

26. How can a country like Germany which produced so much good with the likes of Bach, Beethoven, Einstein and Mozart equally produce an evil like Hitler?

27. Is history simply a myth perpetuated by those in power and forced upon the minds of the people?

28. Do women feel short changed in history?

29. Would it be moral to murder Adolph Hitler?

30. Could the Internet and satellite technology do much to prevent the creation of totalitarian states?

31. How would you react to the following statement: “Defeat but do not humiliate your enemy!”

32. Adolph Hitler will probably be remembered as an individual that most affected the twentieth century. How do you feel about that?

33. Do advances in technology make it easier to kill people?