Humanities Homework Help

Essay Questions

1. How do the views expressed in the dialogue on the self from the Buddhist Scriptures compare 

with and differ from the views expressed in the Hindu dialogue? How do they compare with and 

differ from the views of Locke?

2. How do you understand Hume’s claim that the self is nothing but a bundle of perceptions? 

Where, then, do we get our idea of identity, according to Hume? How is it different from 

Descartes? 

3. Do you find Parfit’s reasoning about split-brain cases compelling? Why or why not?

4. Do you agree with Sheets-Johnstone’s claim that “women inspire male sexual desire simply 

by existing?” Why or why not?

5. Compare and contrast Nietzsche’s view on the body to Plato’s conception of the body? 

Would you agree with Nietzsche that the awakened one would say, “Body am I entirely, and 

nothing more; and soul is only a word for something in the body?”

6. To what extent do you believe that human beings are free? Explain your answer. (You could 

compare Skinner and Sartre in your paper)

7. What did Sartre mean when he stated, “Existence precedes Essence?” In addition, how does he 

describe the relationship between freedom and responsibility? Do you agree with what Sartre 

says about freedom and responsibility? Why or why not?

8. Why, according to de Beauvoir, has the subordination of women been so hard to overcome? 

Does she believe that this subordination can be overcome? If so, how? If not, why not?

9. What is deracination according to Zack? What arguments does she give in favor of becoming 

deracinated? Do you agree with Zack that deracination is desirable?