CVSP 203 Final, Fall 2007

FALL 2007-2008 CVSP 203 (Hani Hassan) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2008 FINAL WRITTEN EVALUATION 3 HOURS BASIC CRITERIA OF EVALUATION: CLARITY OF PRESENTATION: this includes handwriting (since I am not an expert in deciphering coded messages); but more importantly, it is an issue of you clearly presenting your ideas, avoiding any vagueness and/or ambiguity. EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION: never assume I know what you’re talking about; it is very essential that you back up any central statements you make in presenting the ideas of the authors in question, and more importantly in your critical evaluation of those ideas. RELEVANCE: it is essential that you present ideas and arguments relevant to the questions asked. Going into irrelevant discussion is a waste of your valuable time; it could also cause the reader (yours truly) to lose sight of the relevant discussions you present. CRITICAL THINKING: this is most important in terms of your critical evaluation discussions; it is vital that you present ‘evidence’ of critical thinking, and not simply agreeing or disagreeing with ideas and authors discussed (simply stating: “I don’t like him” or “I love his ideas” is neither evidence of being critical nor of thinking!) WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT SIMPLY SUMMARIZE! If at any point you are not clear about what the question is asking or of what is required of you, do not hesitate to ask me. But whatever you do, do not ask your fellow students (they will always mislead you by giving you the wrong answer; it’s human nature!) Finally, and putting it as plainly as I can: CHEATING IS ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL; OFFENDERS WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED. All the Best… PART I (60%) In the Prologue in Heaven (Faust Part I, p. 10), Mephisto claims that what has impeded human progress and betterment is his/her possession of Reason, which he claims “only has increased/ His power to be beastlier than a beast.” A. Critically reflect on the above claim from within a Kantian perspective. In other words, how would Kant respond to such a claim, especially from within his analysis of morality and human worth? B. Perhaps in line with Mephisto’s claim above, Faust in the opening scene states that despite all the knowledge he has thus far accumulated, he sits “poor silly man/ No wiser now than when I began”. How is this statement to be understood? Is he saying that wisdom is unattainable? That perhaps the human will forever remain as ridiculous and as silly as ever? Is Faust to be taken as the representative of the human defeated and surrendering? Critically discuss from with the context of Goethe’s presentation of the Faustean Character. PART II (40%) The little earth-god still persists in his old ways, Ridiculous as ever, as in his first days. (Faust Part I, p. 10) As a 21st century human individual, you have over the course of the semester encountered and discussed various texts and authors of centuries past who in summary represent the very thought of Modernity and Enlightenment. Drawing from upon you encounter with the themes and ideas discussed, to what extent do you find it that Mephisto’s words stated above still apply? Are we no better off despite all propositions, attempts, and claims to the contrary? ...etc. Refer to at least three authors/ texts encountered over the semester to support your presentation.