Kyle, Luke, and Jennas Questions

Nietzsche: 1) Are we disgusted by ourselves, the way Nietzsche suggests? Do we harbor an arrogant belief that we are better and different from the rest of the animal kingdom? An exception, which is intelligent and refined, because of our intellect/consciousness? What do you think separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom? 2) Our culture has created a hush-hush sort of obsession with sex. We link it to immorality and corruption. Women are shamed if they express their sexuality without modesty. Men feel the need to prove themselves. Yet EVERYONE has the same instinctual drives. Why are we not OK with sex? What ideas and beliefs have we put in place that prevent us from being at peace with our nature? Do we believe that we have to repress and deprive ourselves in order to feel civilized? Do you think we will ever be comfortable with ourselves, and not disgusted or guilty for expressing our sexuality? *cant relate? religious prejudice/pressure? 3) Nietzsche Living life to the fullest vs. eternal return How does one live a life in such a middle way where they dont do evil but dont try to be perfect beings? How do Nietzsches proposition of trashing the ascetic ideals and his theme of eternal return mesh? If we dont guide ourselves with ascetic ideals (mod erate living), how can we employ the theme of eternal return? If we employed the theme of eternal return, how would we not be guiding ourselves ascetically? *Dont do something if you wouldnt be OK repeating it over and over again. 4) Why do we see a need to differentiate between religious truth and scientific truth? Why do the viewpoints of religion and science always clash? Why do conversations become so venomous and hateful, with the sides disagreeing and calling each other ignorant or a heathen? Can all be right, one be right, or even none be right? Are there additional sides to this coin? If we connect ascetic ideals to religion, as Nietzsche suggests, is religion becoming obsolete? Religion obviously serves a purpose in our society, and just because you disagree or dont believe in a metaphysical sphere doesnt necessarily mean that religion hurts us.

Kyle, Luke, and Jennas Questions

Du Bois: 5) There is one chapter on progress where Du Bois reflects over changes in town. We saw progress meaning a change in time, sometimes its good, and sometimes its bad. In our society it feels like progress is always moving forward and advancing especially with technology. We progress so far forward we now hardly the time to reflect on our progress before the newest advancement arrives. In our society is our progress a good or bad thing? Are we progressing in the right direction, or toward the right goals? Can we ever stop progressing? 6) We also thought about the impact one person can have on culture and ideas, for example B.T. Washington in the text. This made us think of how with certain opportunity and education a person can advance and be a great person for society doing whatever they do best. This is why Du Bois goes stating how America is losing its best thinkers and worker by not educating them. Today everyone has ways to get the education they desire, and work toward the person they want to be. Why is this idea Du Bois mentions so important for the culture and system of our nation? How do you think society would function if everyone couldnt get such education? Does everyone have access to education, and if not, do you think we should make it so everyone does have access? Are we losing some of our best minds? What would happen in our society if one refused to get such public education, would they be able to still function in our society? 7. Du Bois encourages the importance of the human brotherhood and the unifying ideal of Race. But then he criticizes Booker T. Washington, another prominent social rights activist of the time. Why would Du Bois try to divide opinions between himself and Washington when at the same time hes promoting unity? Additionally, how can a minority expect to defeat or overcome a majority without being completely unified, in any case (not just this one)?

Kyle, Luke, and Jennas Questions