Questions and Answers
Socrates was the student of Plato, who was himself the student of Aristotle.
False
There is a sharp distinction between factual and fictional stories.
False
According to neuroscience, humans are hardwired to tell stories so as to make sense of their lives.
True
Greek drama began as religious pageants at the annual festival of Dionysus in Athens.
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Aristotle viewed art as dangerous because it inspired violent emotions.
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Western films (stories of the American West) have changed very little over the last century.
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Aristotle believed that a good tragedy doesn't have to rely on what we today would call special effects.
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Rosenstand suggests that stories are to be seen as moral laboratories where we can explore the consequences of actions.
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The story of the Golem figure teaches a lesson of keeping a moral perspective in our undertakings.
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Plato claimed that art is harmful because it inspired violent emotions.
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Fairy tales have been described by psychoanalysts as pure wishful thinking.
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"Reality shows" are scripted to a great extent and their content and structure are heavily edited to keep the audience's interest.
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The moral of the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is that you should never lie, because sooner or later people aren't going to believe you anymore, even when you tell the truth.
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Western movies often feature a story of an individual vs. larger forces.
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Even stories that are believed to be factual have an element of poetic creativity.
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The criminal justice system has recently begun to experiment with sentencing convicted offenders to reading books and watching films in order to teach them moral responsibility.
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The story of the prodigal son belongs to the category of parables.
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A didactic story is a story that teaches a lesson.
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The anthropologist Carol Delaney asks why over the years hasn't anyone wondered how Sarah felt about Abraham's willingness to sacrifice her only child.
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Traditional myths have two purposes: to strengthen social bonding among people and to fortify the individual psychologically.
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Kierkegaard believed that Abraham's obedience to God was not an example of ordinary morality but required a leap of faith.
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We can learn moral lessons from morally good people but not from morally flawed people.
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Aristotle's idea of catharsis meant that we should purge all sex and violence from art.
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Rosenstand suggests that children need to be taught by their parents to process stories so that they will know the difference between fact and fiction.
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If one is opposed to war, one can find no moral lessons in war stories.
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There is a difference between stories that moralize and stories that discuss moral problems.
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The science fiction genre sometimes referred to as "cyberpunk" portrays a dark and frightening future.
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Crime stories generally concern themselves with the battle between good and evil.
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On which issue would Plato and Aristotle most likely agree?
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The feeling of being engrossed in the story one is 'watching,' and even determining its course, is known as what?
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Zombies hold great attraction and are popular in our culture because they represent what?
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The Trobriand people distinguish between three different kinds of stories. Which one does not belong on the list?
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The immediate evolutionary benefit of a good story is what?
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There are many ways to use narratives to explore ethics. Chapter 2 mentions several ways. Which one shouldn't be on the list?
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The moral message of gruesome fairy tales may be what?
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What is a parable?
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Medical students in many parts of the United States are exposed to stories of fiction in medical school in order to what?
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Study Notes
Socratic Relationships
- Socrates was the student of Plato, while Plato was a student of Aristotle, demonstrating a lineage of philosophical teachings.
- Misconception highlighted: Socrates is incorrectly stated as the student of Plato.
Storytelling and Moral Lessons
- Distinction between factual and fictional stories is not as sharp as commonly believed.
- Neuroscience suggests humans are innately wired to tell stories, aiding in understanding life.
- Rosenstand posits that stories act as moral laboratories to examine consequences of actions.
Greek Drama
- Greek drama originated from religious festivals dedicated to Dionysus in Athens, emphasizing the cultural significance of storytelling in the ancient world.
Artistic Perspectives
- Aristotle viewed art not as inherently dangerous; he believed it could facilitate emotional connections without relying on special effects.
- Plato, in contrast, claimed that art can incite violent emotions, indicating differing philosophical views on the nature of art.
Fairy Tales and Cultural Narratives
- Fairy tales are seen as manifestations of wishful thinking, laden with moral implications.
- Reality shows are extensively scripted and edited, reflecting a crafted narrative rather than a purely spontaneous format.
Fables and Moral Insights
- "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" teaches about the consequences of dishonesty; trust can be lost if one lies repeatedly.
- Western movies often portray individuals against larger societal forces, illustrating the theme of personal struggle.
Fiction and Fact Interplay
- Even narratives perceived as factual have elements of creativity, showcasing the artistic nature of storytelling.
- The criminal justice system leverages literature and films to impart moral responsibilities to offenders.
Parables and Myths
- Parables, like the story of the prodigal son, serve as guiding moral tales.
- Traditional myths strengthen social bonds and provide psychological support, serving dual functions in society.
Ethical Narratives and Learning
- Moral lessons can be learned from morally flawed individuals, challenging the notion that only virtuous figures can impart wisdom.
- Aristotle's concept of catharsis does not imply the complete removal of difficult themes from art.
Children and Narrative Processing
- Rosenstand emphasizes the importance of parents teaching children to discern between fact and fiction in narratives.
Moral Complexity in Conflict
- Opposing war does not preclude finding moral lessons within war stories, expanding the ethical discourse.
- Understanding narratives involves differentiating between stories that moralize versus those that engage complex moral issues.
Cultural Reflections
- Cyberpunk reflects societal fears of a dystopian future and the alienation of individuals.
- Crime narratives often revolve around the classic struggle between good and evil, reflecting societal moral dilemmas.
Narrative Engagement
- Narrative immersion describes the deep engagement an audience experiences with a story, often feeling involved in its unfolding.
Cultural Themes and Archetypes
- Zombies symbolize dehumanization and societal fears of isolation, resonating with contemporary cultural anxieties.
- The Trobriand people categorize stories into types, with personal achievement stories seen as profane and thereby excluded.
Ethics through Stories
- Effective storytelling promotes social bonding; identifying and discussing narratives can enhance ethical understanding.
- The message of gruesome fairy tales often involves overcoming evil with resilience, teaching courage in adversity.
Parables and Learning in Medicine
- Medical students use fictional stories to empathize with patients, gaining insights into the human experience in healthcare contexts.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards based on Ethics Chapter 2. Each card presents a statement that you must judge as true or false. Challenge your understanding of the concepts discussed in this important chapter.
