What is Philosophy? Essay Questions

1. Consider one of your ordinary beliefs. Now illustrate the Beardsleys’ notion of philosophical questioning by examining this belief. What reasons do you have for thinking it to be true? What more fundamental beliefs underlie it? What philosophical questions are raised in the process?

2. Continue the line of questioning in either Dialogue I or Dialogue II by analyzing the meaning of a basic philosophical term.

3. Consider the example of contradictory fundamental beliefs, in the paragraph that begins “The third benefit which the study of philosophy can confer . . .” Explain why belief in free will conflicts with belief in causal laws of nature. Can you resolve the apparent conflict? If so, explain how. If not, explain why not.