Problem
From the text book: E.D. Klemke and Steven M. Cahn (eds.). The Meaning of Life, 4th Edition (Oxford 2017). Answer these following questions and include quotes or evidence and the pages number in the solution:
A. How does Susan Wolf try to define both a subjective and objective dimension of meaning? (Bring up specific examples that she uses). What do you think of her position and why? Is she right to claim that a meaningful life requires both subjective and objective components to be met?
B. Reading "Jack's Wasted Life" by John Zavodny, explain why he thinks the unnamed protagonist from "Fight Club" goes through an existential crisis of meaning. How does he search form meaning and what sort of lessons does Tyler Durden try to teach him? What do you think of the film/book's criticisms of consumer culture and his alternative vision? Why is Zavodny hesitate to embrace it entirely?
C. A journal on Robert Nozick's "Philosophy and the Meaning of Life.": How is Nozick using the story of the traveler searching for answers to the meaning of life to debunk a lot of typical answers on the topic? What sort of criticisms in particular does he give to traditional theistic responses to the meaning of life? Could there be counter-arguments made against Nozick's critiques and if so what? Where do you stand in reaction to his claims and why?
D. How would you describe bell hooks' distinction between the ethic of love vs. systems of domination? How does she wield the civil rights movement led by MLK to depict the ethic of love vs. the Black Power Movement for exemplifying domination? Is hooks right to argue that the U.S is riddled with systems of domination? Does domination threaten meaning and if so why? How does she think love can make for meaning in our lives? What do you see as a chief strength and a chief weakness in bell hooks' defense of love over domination?"
E. Explore a few of the reasons Baier thinks Christianity does not offer a solid or life affirming perspective on the meaning of life. What possible rebuttals could be given to Baier's criticisms? Do you find Baier's position solid or problematic? Explain why.