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1
SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE
PHIL 111
SPRING 2014
INSTRUCTOR: PROF. NINA ROSENSTAND
PHILOSOPHY IN LITERATURE
STUDY GUIDE, QUIZ APRIL 23, LAST 30 MINUTES OF CLASS
Office hours: MTWR: 11:15-12:30, MV 2404
Messages to Prof. Rosenstand: (619) 388-2407
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/nrosenst
READINGS:
Course Reader: Rosenstand, The Moral of the Story 7th edition Ch.2
Readings: Plato, Aristotle, Eco (Name of the Rose)
Narratives: Medea, The Sorrows of Young Werther
Steinbeck: East of Eden Part 1, 2 and 3
STAY INFORMED ABOUT CHANGES TO THE READINGS AND TEST DATE!
FORMAT OF QUIZ
OBJECTIVE test. Bring a scantron Form #882. Please use pencil #2. Make sure your scantron answers are
clear and unambiguous; otherwise the scantron machine can’t read them. Read the question carefully.
You may write on the test. This quiz is worth 40 percent of the final. Total possible points: 40.
Plagiarism policy: Using open books, electronic devices or notes during the test, or consulting with other
students, will result in an F on the test, and will be reported.
There will be 10 True/False questions; each correct answer is worth 2 points.
There will be 10 Multiple Choice questions; each correct answer is worth 2 points.
KEY ISSUES:
Rosenstand, The Moral of the Story 6th edition Ch.2
Stories to Live and Die by:
Brief European history: the Middle Ages (200-1300), the Renaissance (1400s-1500s), the Reformation
(1500s), early modern times (1600s), the Enlightenment (1700s)[from your notes]
The Enlightenment/18th century phases: The declining power of the church > science flourishes > demand
for general education > demand for democracy > revolutions. General assumption: Reason will solve all
problems. [from your notes]
The effects of Goethe’s story of Werther
3 reasons for Werther’s popularity: mass production of books; literacy; start of Age of Romanticism, end
of rationality-focus
The discussion of the value of drama in Ancient Greece:
2
Apollo vs. Dionysus: reason vs. excessive emotion
The Greek theater as origin of Western theater, and film
The Oedipus story
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle: their relationships
Plato’s vs. Aristotle’s theories of the value of drama
Revival of the discussion in modern times: problem of violence in fiction
Primary Readings:
Plato: Proper control of feelings; danger of drama (fiction) undermining one’s equanimity;
humor is dangerous. Going to the theater should be avoided.
Aristotle: Drama as catharsis of pity and fear; the perfect tragic plot, with an ordinary person
making a big mistake; no “special effects”
Eco: What if Aristotle’s book on comedy had been rediscovered in the Middle Ages? Jorge is the
Platonist, while William of Baskerville is pro-Aristotle, anti-Plato: Laughter as a weapon against fear
Narratives:
Medea: Mother kills children for revenge. How might Medea fit Aristotle’s “perfect tragic plot”
analysis? Jason is the one who makes the mistake and must suffer.
Sorrows of Young Werther: Werther kills himself out of unrequited love.
Steinbeck: East of Eden (the novel)
Samuel and Liza Hamilton might represent Aristotle: laughter is good, and Plato: Laughter is bad. [from
your notes]
The Basic Plot features:
PART 1 & 2:
Adam and Charles are sons of Cyrus; Cyrus prefers Adam to Charles.
The gifts: The knife and the puppy
The C-A name configuration
Cathy introduced: “Monsters” are born
Adam marries Cathy who gives birth to the twins, then leaves Adam after having shot him.
Adam and Cathy: principles of goodness and evil
The question of whether Adam or Charles is father of the twins
IMPORTANT CHAPTERS:
Ch.22: Samuel Hamilton, Adam and Lee name the twins Caleb and Aaron; the story of Cain (farmer) and
Abel (shepherd); Lee’s character: the philosopher (virtue ethics).
PART 3:
Ch.24: 10 years later: The Cain and Abel parallel: Cal is a gardener, Aron raises rabbits
Lee’s quest for the best translation of “timshel”
Timshel: thou mayest rule over sin = a choice. Humans have free will.
Chs 27-30: Cal and Aron’s characters are established: Cal is mean and devious, and Aron is good and
gullible. Abra is introduced. Adam meets Kate/Cathy and pities her
[Part 4 will be on the final exam]