LEH 353 Frenemies in Literature & Film
Prof Smith
Question 1:
Sapiens
In Sapiens, the author argues that at the center of human relationships and human community is language and the ideas that it allows us to communicate. Language and ideas are part of the realm of human culture made possible by what is called the “Cognitive Revolution.”
What is the Cognitive Revolution and how did it give rise to human language and symbolic thinking?
What distinguishes human language and our ability to think symbolically from other animals and their ability to communicate with sounds? (What is symbolic thinking and human language?)
What are the two central functions of language as described by the author of Sapiens? (Note: Gossip and Threat Theories are part of the same single function)
Explain how each of these two functions help to create two different types of human communities. Explain the two different types of communities they are able to create.
Lastly, what does the author mean by “An Imagined Order” and how does this concept relate to the functions of language? Provide an example from the text to illustrate what an imagined order is. Explain this example including why it is an example of an Imagined Order.
Question 2:
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Books 8 & 9
Explain Aristotle’s understanding of Friendship and its various facets.
First, explain generally what Aristotle has in mind when he talks about his idea of friendship or philia. What does he mean? What kinds of relationships does he include as examples of it?
What are the preconditions of any form of friendship? (See videos/powerpoints)
Explain the three types of friendship and include the following characteristics in your answer:
Issues of the good or object of exchange; whether the friend is treated as a means or an end; a true friend or not, the degree of completeness or incompleteness; the issue duration; and issues of equality/inequality and like/unlike.
What does it mean that a true friend is treated as an “end in themselves” whereas someone less than a true friend is treated merely as a “means”?
What makes “complete friendship” complete? (Also answer: What does it mean to be complete?)
What is the relationship between friendship and happiness? How does friendship make happiness possible? Will all three types of friendship produce happiness? If not, which one and why?
