Question 1

Scheffler claims that many projects and activities that matter to us would lose their importance if we were to know that the earth would be destroyed shortly after our deaths. How does Scheffler argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scheffler claims that many projects and activities...

Question 2

How does Scheffler explain why the end of human life in the near term would make many things matter less to us when our knowledge of the end of human life in the long term does not? Is his explanation convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Scheffler explain why the end...

Question 3

Scheffler claims that at least in one respect the survival of other people matters more to us than our own survival. How does Scheffler argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scheffler claims that at least in one...

Question 4

According to Scheffler, the prospect of human life ending shortly after our own deaths would make all our current projects and activities seem less important.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Scheffler, the prospect of human...

Question 5

According to Scheffler, the prospect of our own deaths makes our projects seem less important just like the doomsday scenario does.

Accepted Answer

Scheffler argues that the prospect of humanity's extinction makes our projects seem less important, not our own individual deaths. He suggests that what gives our lives meaning is not merely our own existence but the continuation of humanity and our projects beyond our own lives.

Question 6

Scheffler argues that in some respects the survival of humanity matters more to us than our own survival.

Accepted Answer

Scheffler argues that certain projects, values, and aspirations we hold are deeply intertwined with the continuation of humanity, suggesting that the survival of humanity can indeed matter more to us than our own individual survival, as it ensures the perpetuation of these shared aspects of our lives.

Question 7

According to Scheffler, the continued existence of humanity after our own deaths is a condition for many things mattering to us.

Accepted Answer

Scheffler argues that the continued existence of humanity after our own deaths gives significance to many of our projects, commitments, and values, suggesting that if we knew humanity would not continue, many things would lose their meaning for us.

Question 8

Scheffler claims that in the face of the imminent destruction of humanity even activities that provide personal comfort and pleasure would no longer seem worthwhile.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scheffler claims that in the face of...

Question 9

Scheffler begins his essay by asking readers to consider a thought experiment according to which

Accepted Answer

Scheffler's thought experiment, as introduced at the beginning of his essay, asks readers to imagine a scenario where the earth will be destroyed thirty days after their deaths. This scenario is designed to explore the significance of the continuation of humanity and our projects after we die, and how that impacts our understanding of meaning in life.

Question 10

According to Scheffler, the prospect of the earth's imminent destruction would

Accepted Answer

Scheffler argues that the prospect of the earth's imminent destruction would make many of our projects and endeavors seem less important, as our actions and their significance are deeply intertwined with the expectation of a future for humanity.

Question 11

According to Scheffler, to say a project or activity becomes less important to us can mean that

Accepted Answer

Scheffler's perspective on the importance of projects or activities diminishing encompasses a broad range of factors, including the weakening of reasons to engage in the activity, a reduction in emotional investment, and a diminished belief in its worthwhileness. These aspects collectively contribute to the overall decrease in importance.

Question 12

Scheffler claims that __________ would likely seem less important in the face of the imminent destruction of human life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scheffler claims that __________ would likely seem...

Question 13

According to Scheffler, the projects most likely to seem less important in the face of the imminent destruction of human life are

Accepted Answer

Scheffler suggests that projects which aim for long-term success or those that derive their value from benefiting many people over an extended period are likely to seem less important if we know that human life will soon come to an end. This is because their ultimate goals or benefits will not be realized due to the impending destruction.

Question 14

According to Scheffler, the doomsday scenario might undermine many creative pursuits because

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Scheffler, the doomsday scenario might...

Question 15

Scheffler uses the term "afterlife" to refer to

Accepted Answer

Scheffler uses the term "afterlife" in a philosophical context to refer to the continuation of human life on Earth after our own deaths, rather than the religious or spiritual concepts of what happens to an individual's soul.

Question 16

Scheffler discusses Alvy Singer, a film character troubled by

Accepted Answer

Alvy Singer, a character from Woody Allen's film "Annie Hall," is troubled by the fact that the universe is expanding and will ultimately break apart, which he believes makes life meaningless.

Question 17

According to Scheffler, most people are untroubled by the fact that the universe will come to an end in the distant future because they

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Scheffler, most people are untroubled...

Question 18

According to Scheffler, our conviction that things matter is sustained by our confidence that

Accepted Answer

Scheffler argues that our belief in the importance and value of things is sustained by the expectation that human life will continue after our own deaths, rather than by belief in God or the immortality of the soul. This perspective emphasizes the significance of future generations in giving meaning to our actions and values.

Question 19

Scheffler claims that the prospect of our own deaths does not undercut the importance of our life activities in the way confronting the doomsday scenario would. Do you agree with him about this? If so, why do think that is? If not, why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scheffler claims that the prospect of our...

Question 20

Are there any activities besides the ones Scheffler mentions that would lose their importance to us in the face of a doomsday scenario? If so, what are they and why exactly do you think they would lose their importance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Are there any activities besides the ones...

Quiz 13: The Meaning of Life