Question 1

How does Scheffler respond to Alvy Singer's worries about the end of the universe? Is Scheffler's response persuasive? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Scheffler respond to Alvy Singer's...

Question 2

Frankfurt claims that the loss of belief in the afterlife would not make many projects and activities lose their importance in the way Scheffler alleges. How does Frankfurt argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt claims that the loss of belief...

Question 3

Why does Frankfurt think that medical research, such as the search for a cure for cancer, would not lose its importance if we did not believe in the afterlife? Are you convinced by his reasoning? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does Frankfurt think that medical research,...

Question 4

Frankfurt claims that our lives might improve in some ways if we were faced with a doomsday scenario. What evidence does Frankfurt give for this claim? Are you persuaded by this evidence? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt claims that our lives might improve...

Question 5

Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates the extent to which what matters to us depends on our attitude toward the existence of the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates the extent...

Question 6

Like Scheffler, Frankfurt believes that the search for medical cures will likely lose its important to us in the absence of belief in the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt does not specifically link the importance of medical cures to beliefs in the afterlife. His philosophical work primarily focuses on concepts like free will, the nature of personal agency, and the importance of what we care about as defining our identity and moral responsibilities, rather than on how beliefs in the afterlife might influence specific pursuits such as medical research.

Question 7

According to Frankfurt, our lives might actually be improved in some ways by believing in Scheffler's doomsday scenario.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt suggests that acknowledging the inevitability of death, including the eventual end of humanity (a concept related to Scheffler's doomsday scenario), can lead us to appreciate the finite nature of life and the importance of our actions and relationships, potentially enriching our lives.

Question 8

Frankfurt clams that if we were faced with a doomsday scenario, some things might matter to us more than before.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt's argument suggests that in extreme situations, such as a doomsday scenario, our priorities and what we value can significantly shift, often making certain things matter more to us than they did in normal circumstances. This reflects on the human capacity to reassess values and priorities in light of drastic changes in circumstances.

Question 9

According to Frankfurt, only activities that provide personal comfort and pleasure will continue to matter to us in the face of a doomsday scenario.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt argues that what matters to us is not limited to personal comfort and pleasure; our values and what we care about deeply also play a significant role in determining what continues to matter to us, even in extreme scenarios.

Question 10

Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt argues that Scheffler underestimates how much of what matters is independent of our belief in the afterlife, suggesting that many aspects of what we value are not contingent on such beliefs.

Question 11

According to Frankfurt, cancer research might not lose its importance in the absence of belief in the afterlife because

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Frankfurt, cancer research might not...

Question 12

According to Frankfurt, artistic creation might not lose its importance in the absence of belief in the afterlife because

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt suggests that the personal satisfaction derived from the act of creation itself can sustain an artist's motivation and sense of importance in their work, regardless of beliefs about the afterlife or external validation.

Question 13

According to Frankfurt, Scheffler believes that __________ would lose its importance to us in the absence of belief in the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Frankfurt, Scheffler believes that __________...

Question 14

According to Frankfurt, __________ would lose its importance to us in the absence of belief in the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt argues that the value we place on things like friendship, creative activity, and intellectual activity does not depend on our belief in the afterlife. These aspects of life hold intrinsic value to us regardless of our beliefs about what happens after death.

Question 15

Frankfurt argues that some of the things that are most important to us may continue to matter regardless of the existence of the afterlife because of

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt suggests that some things have intrinsic value, meaning they are valuable in and of themselves, independent of any external factors such as the existence of an afterlife.

Question 16

According to Frankfurt, the value of some of the things that matter to us most would very likely __________ if we lost confidence in the existence of the afterlife.

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt argues that the significance of many things that matter to us does not depend on the existence of an afterlife. Therefore, losing confidence in the afterlife would not necessarily alter the value of these things, making none of the provided options accurately reflect his view.

Question 17

According to Frankfurt, the things that matter to us most include

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt argues that the things that matter most to us can vary widely among individuals, encompassing a broad range of pursuits and interests such as friendship, music, and intellectual activity.

Question 18

Frankfurt agrees with Scheffler that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt agrees with Scheffler that
...

Question 19

According to Frankfurt, the prospect of a global catastrophe might actually improve our lives by motivating us to

Accepted Answer

Frankfurt suggests that the awareness of a global catastrophe could lead us to prioritize and care more about our personal relationships, as these connections become more meaningful in the face of potential disaster.

Question 20

Frankfurt claims that things like music, friendship, and creative activity are valued, in part, for their intrinsic value. Is Frankfurt right about this? If so, can you think of any other activities that are intrinsically valuable?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt claims that things like music, friendship,...

Quiz 13: The Meaning of Life