Harvard University Philosophy and Ancient Buddhism Question

1st Assignment: you need to read Article 1 (in the attachment) then answer the question bellow:

1. What is “The Middle Way”?

Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences
2. In his first sermon how did Buddha explain the individual?
Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences
3. What is “The Principle of Dependent Origination”?
Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences
4. In the last section of the article Green suggests a number of potentially positive benefits to accepting the idea of Dependent Origination. List two of these?
Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences
5. Is the Buddhist concept of “No-Self” a convincing one to you? Why or why not?

Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences

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2nd Assignment: You need to read the following text below then answer the question on Bold:

There’s a difference between understanding the world objectively and experiencing it through an exclusively objective framework. This is essentially the problem of qualia — the notion that our surroundings can only be observed through the filter of our senses and the cogitations of our minds.

Everything you know has been filtered through any number of physiological and cognitive processes. Subsequently, your subjective experience of the world is unique.

In the classic example, the subjective appreciation of the color red may vary from person to person. The only way you could possibly know is if you were to somehow observe the universe from the “conscious lens” of another person — not anything we’re likely going to be able to accomplish at any stage of our scientific or technological development.

Another way of saying all this is that the universe can only be observed through a brain (or potentially a machine mind), and by virtue of that, can only be interpreted subjectively. But given that the universe appears to be coherent and (somewhat) knowable, should we continue to assume that its true objective quality can never be observed or known?

Your Assignment Question: How do you answer the question, “Can we really experience anything objectively?” Explain. Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences

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3rd assignment: you need to read Article 2 (in the attachment) then answer the question bellow:

1. Do Jordan’s arguments justify discrimination against homosexuals in employment, education, and the military? Do they justify legally prohibiting same-sex marriage? why or why not?

Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences

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4th Assignment: You need to read the scenario below then answer the question on Bold:

You are the captain of a ship that has sunk. Thirty people are crowded into a lifeboat that can only carry twenty. It will sink unless you do something. You reason that it is better for a few to die than for everyone to do so, and since you know that the boat will need to be rowed if it is to reach safety you throw the ten weakest people overboard. When the boat reaches safety you are tried for murder.

How would you expect the jury to view your actions?

Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences

Would the moral issues have been different if you had prevented the last ten people from boarding the lifeboat in the first place?

Answer in no less than 5-6 sentences