Metaphysiscs

Humanities (Cohen) Spring 2018

Metaphysics Final Assessment

In small groups, you will create a hypothetical exam covering the major concepts we discussed in our metaphysics unit (identity/free will, reality, time, consciousness). Following creation of this hypothetical, you will then respond to one of the created hypothetical situations in an exam format.

Part 1 (Group):

❑ Create a hypothetical situation/exam that has:

o A storyline with characters; o Multiple issues that arise for the characters because of questions regarding identity/free

will, reality, time and consciousness (all categories should be represented in your story); o Five distinct and specific questions for an exam-taker to answer.

❑ For example, in the Boris Huntington/Bunny Amore hypothetical (below), we see a storyline,

characters, and multiple potential issues such as:

o Whether true free will involves actual choice or the illusion of choice (Boris’ lack of

knowledge of the microchip); o Which view of free will applies in this scenario (Boris never had a choice, regardless of

intentions, because of the microchip); o Ultimate moral responsibility (Coine or Boris?); o Originating causes (is Boris exempt from moral responsibility because he wouldn’t

have killed Bunny if not for Coine’s plot, and how far back can we take the originating causes?); o Identity and moral responsibility (by taking on the job of assassin, did that significantly

impact Boris’ identity so that he is morally responsible, or is it just a job, and he could have retracted his intention to kill Bunny later?). o Note: Your issues should be similarly embedded into the framework of your story –

don’t make them glaringly obvious! The hypothetical exam is meant to challenge the class and your classmates to use their knowledge of metaphysics, and their analytical abilities, to figure out your test and respond to it appropriately.

Part 2 (Individual):

❑ Once the hypotheticals have been created, Ms. Park will look through and assess them, and

choose one for the class to take as Part 2 of your final (it will be an exam from another class period). ❑ You will do this in-class with a time limit of 90 minutes, typed and submitted to TurnItIn.com

by the end of the period.

Past Example for Part 1

The Story of Bonnie the Bunny

One sunny afternoon, Bonnie the Bunny was hopping around the prairie thinking about how carefree being a bunny really was. He jumped and hopped, and hopped and jumped some more, all around the prairie. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spots a 3-legged coyote making his way toward him. In an attempt to escape, Bonnie darted toward his bunny hole while the coyote dashed after him, howling the whole way. Just as Bonnie thought he was going to make it safe and sound, the coyote grabbed a hold of his back leg and clawed it off.

Even after the loss of his leg, Bonnie kept running to the other end of his bunny hole. When he reached the other side and passed through the threshold of the hole, he felt a chill pass through him. He was back on the prairie like nothing had happened, but he felt taller, stronger, and craved meat for some reason. Whatever had happened to him, his leg felt better and that was all that mattered. While he walked around the grass and checked his surroundings, he spotted another carefree bunny hopping and jumping, and jumping and hopping some more. Peculiarly enough, the bunny looked exactly like him. Being the social creature that he was, Bonnie made his way towards the new bunny.

Just as Bonnie was about to say “hi,” the bunny spotted him and darted off. Bonnie ran after him yelling for him to come back. Oddly, his screams sounded more like howling. No matter; Bonnie was determined to make a friend today. Just as the bunny was about to cross the threshold into the bunny hole, Bonnie lunged and reached out to grab the other bunny’s leg.

The bunny got away, and Bonnie was left in shock. He looked down at his feet and saw claws. He looked back at his back legs and saw one claw, as his other leg had been torn off earlier. To check his suspicions, he walked over to a small puddle to look at his reflection. In the puddle, he saw a coyote. Scared at first, he jumped away, but slowly peered back into the small pool to get a better look at himself.

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