CVSP 206 Final, Spring 2005

MERICAN UNIVERST LIBRARY OF BEIRUT CVSP 206 Final Exam June 2005 ‘Prof. M. Amyuni Choose 5 of the following questions ‘and write one paragraph (only) around these questions (60%) : - In what way is Kant's moral philosophy still relevant, meaningful, tous to-day? : “What does it mean to be enlightened according to‘Kant?. Are we enlightened to- day at AUB. and in Beirut/Lebanon? Explain: what you mean whether you think we are or we are not enlightened, . . We started our course by talking about the Scientific Revolution (16" and:17® centuries in Europe). State.a few-najor elements that Shaped up ‘this Revolution. . Descartes wondered "How do IKnow"? and "How can I be certain about what I know"? Was he able to. answer these basic questions.and in what manner? - How does John Locke solve the problem of the misuse.of political power in his Second Treatise of Government? : . In what way did Adam Smith's economic liberalism aim at securing the basic rights of individuals in society? ‘What are these basic rights according to Smith? . What are these rights (see question number 6) according to Karl Marx? Which political system would preserve them? . Faust signs the compact with Mephisto in Goethe's play and tells the devil: If ever I lie down in sloth and base in action, Then let that moment be my end. Analyze it. I. Essay Question . (40%) I. Choose oye of the following topics and wiite a short (about 2 pages) and clear essay. 1. Our lecture on De Beauvoir stated that The Second'’Sex is a quest for knowing one’s self and the malaise experienced by the self and its relation to the other. a) Andalyze.each. component of this statement based on. the text. b) Does ‘Simone de Beauvoir propose any solution to the malaise mentioned above? c) State 'in your conclusion your own position regarding the problem raised by-the above. 2. Discuss the following excerpt from Season of ‘Migration to the North. ‘Underline its main ideas then link these to the main theme or:themes of the:novel. The fact that they came to our. Jand, I-know not why, does that mean that we should poison our present and eur:future? Sooner or later.they will leave our country, just as many people throughtout history left many countries. The railways, ships, hospitals, factories and ‘schools will. be ours and we'll speak their language without either.a sense of guilt-or a sense of gratitude. Once again we shall .as we were ~ordinary people— and if we are lies we shall be lies of our‘own making. < ot sept e x Rv o