102: Second Paper Assignment

Using one or more of the stories in this unit, explore one of the following ideas:      1. How do people make choices when all the outcomes are likely to be awful? Use situations from the texts as well as other parallels to discuss this question.      2. Often the "human spirit" is used as a term that connotes positivism, or optimism, the drive to "keep hope alive."  What views do the author(s) we've read seem to take on this idea, based on their texts     3. What does it mean to be "human"? Please avoid a pat answer. Consider various possibilities,  and show that you have considered various ways of of looking at the issues you choose to discuss. Use examples from the texts. Your answer to this may be something like "opposable thumbs," or something like "the ability to plan ahead,"  or something like "collective memory."   4. Why do people  hurt each other? There are myriad ways they do so. Is being human about creating the right offensive/defensive balance? Use examples from the text.    5. A question of your choice, based on the readings and discussions we've had, that allows you to discuss an observation or idea that intrigues you. Probably should check with me first, though.     For all topics you should stretch your thinking to consider your choice through various lenses: i.e. biology, philosophy, psychology, history, etc. (Not all of them, but whatever seems to fit!)  Rely heavily on example, comparison, definition, speculation (what if?) to analyze.  If you are talking about "morality" you'd better define that, and if you talk about society you'd better specify which, where, when.  Avoid lofty generalizations--you don't need to come to a big conclusion about "humanity" when you can discuss how a piece of citrus fruit or a pump can become more precious an  object as the Hope Diamond, given the right circumstances.