The Republic of Plato - Book 1

Discussion questions for October 17:

What is justice?

Should we try and define justice, or just give examples to show what it looks like? In other words, is justice something that can be rationally explored, or does it need to be grasped intuitively?

Discussion Questions on WALDEN - week 5

1. Is Thoreau too optimistic concerning the progress of science?

2. What use does Thoreau believe should be made of wilderness areas?

3. Does Thoreau think we should abandon all tradition and strike out on totally new paths of our own making?

4. Are we moderns just "intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients", as Thoreau claims?

5. Does Thoreau ultimately succeed or fail in his experiment at Walden Pond?

Discussion questions on WALDEN - week 4

According to Thoreau:

1. Would the world be a better place without people?

2. What causes poverty?

3. Should our animal and spiritual natures both be developed?

4. Is nature gentle and comforting, or cruel and merciless?