Question 1

What philosophical problem about grief is suggested by the case of C.S. Lewis' grieving the death of his wife Joy?&#10;A) Grief is irrational but unavoidable.&#10;B) Grief involves emotional states we ordinarily have reason to avoid but grief nevertheless seems valuable or worthwhile.&#10;C) Grief is often more emotionally complex than we anticipate.&#10;D) Grief involves emotional states we ordinarily have reason to pursue but nevertheless seems bad or undesirable.

Accepted Answer

The case of C.S. Lewis grieving the death of his wife Joy suggests the philosophical problem of grief involving emotional states that we ordinarily have reason to avoid, yet it appears valuable or worthwhile. Lewis describes feeling overwhelmed, disoriented, and angry in the wake of his wife's death, emotions that he would typically avoid in his daily life. However, he recognizes the importance and value of grieving as a necessary process of healing and facing reality. This raises the question of why we would subject ourselves to such painful emotional states and whether grief is ultimately valuable or merely a necessary evil.

Question 2

Grief is a selective response to the deaths of others. This means that&#10;A) we grieve all deaths of others.&#10;B) others' deaths are the only events that can prompt grief.&#10;C) our grief responses often involve other emotional states besides sadness or suffering.&#10;D) we grieve only some, not all, deaths of others.

Accepted Answer

Grief is not a universal response to all deaths of others. Rather, it is a selective response, meaning that we grieve only some, not all, deaths of others. The reasons for this selectivity can vary, depending on factors such as the closeness of the relationship, the circumstances of the death, and the meaning of the loss to the individual. Additionally, grief responses often involve a range of emotional states beyond sadness or suffering, such as shock, numbness, anger, or guilt.

Question 3

The loss for which we grieve is best described as&#10;A) the loss of a relationship in which our practical identities are invested.&#10;B) the loss of specific goods, such as companionship or emotional support, that the deceased person provided us&#10;C) the loss of our practical identity.&#10;D) the loss of faith.

Accepted Answer

The loss we grieve is often tied to the loss of a relationship where our practical identities are invested, as these relationships significantly shape who we are and how we perceive ourselves.

Question 4

According to the necessary cost view, grief&#10;A) has no value.&#10;B) is valuable because it enables us to better understand our own mortality.&#10;C) is valuable in its own right.&#10;D) is simply a negative byproduct of having human relationships in which another's death counts as a loss.

Accepted Answer

According to the necessary cost view, grief is simply a negative byproduct of having human relationships in which another's death counts as a loss. It is not seen as having inherent value on its own or as a means of understanding our own mortality.

Question 5

Cholbi concludes that we should be glad for the opportunity to grieve because&#10;A) it makes possible self-knowledge or self-understanding.&#10;B) grief turns out to be more pleasurable than painful on the whole.&#10;C) grief honors the deceased.&#10;D) grieving makes it possible for us to have a practical identity.

Accepted Answer

Cholbi suggests that through the process of grieving, we gain insight into our own emotions, values, and beliefs, leading to self-knowledge and self-understanding. Therefore, we should be grateful for the opportunity to grieve. The other options (B, C, D) are not supported in Cholbi's argument.

Question 6

What is Cholbi's account of who and what we grieve for? Is his account of correct? Can you identify any counterexamples to it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is Cholbi's account of who and...

Question 7

Cholbi argues that grieving makes possible self-knowledge. What kinds of truths about ourselves can we learn from the process of grieving?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cholbi argues that grieving makes possible self-knowledge....

Deck 27: Why Grieve