Question 1

Why does Frankfurt think that artistic creation, such as the production of paintings and novels, 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 artistic creation,...

Question 2

Frankfurt claims that people would likely respond differently to the prospect of the end of human life. What are some of the different responses you can think of? How would you respond? Explain your answer.
The Significance of Doomsday
Susan Wolf

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frankfurt claims that people would likely respond...

Question 3

Wolf casts doubt on the assumption that the extinction of humanity in the distant future does not undermine the value of our projects in the way the prospect of a more imminent extinction seems to. What are the grounds of Wolf's doubt? Do you find them convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wolf casts doubt on the assumption that...

Question 4

Wolf claims that if the fact that humans will eventually die out does not render many important activities meaningless then the prospect of a more imminent extinction does not either. Does Wolf make a convincing case for this claim in your view? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wolf claims that if the fact that...

Question 5

Wolf claims that if faced with the imminent destruction of human life, we would initially be unsettled and depressed but should ultimately snap out of it and return to our lives. Is Wolf right about this in your view? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wolf claims that if faced with the...

Question 6

Wolf agrees with Scheffler that people generally are not upset by the prospect of humanity's eventual extinction.

Accepted Answer

Wolf agrees with Scheffler that people generally are not upset by the prospect of humanity's eventual extinction.

Question 7

According to Wolf, there is a clear answer to the question of why the imminent extinction of humanity renders our present activities meaningless while extinction of humanity in the distant future does not.

Accepted Answer

Wolf argues that it is difficult to find a satisfactory answer to why the imminent extinction of humanity would render our present activities meaningless, while extinction in the distant future does not. She explores the challenge of finding meaning in life against the backdrop of eventual extinction, without presenting a clear, definitive answer to this dilemma.

Question 8

Wolf argues that in order for something to matter it must make a permanent difference to the world.

Accepted Answer

Susan Wolf argues that for something to matter, it does not necessarily have to make a permanent difference to the world. She suggests that meaning in life can be found in activities that are worthwhile and contribute to value, even if their impact is not permanent.

Question 9

Wolf believes that if the eventual extinction of humanity does not render our present activities meaningless, then neither does a more imminent extinction.

Accepted Answer

Susan Wolf argues that if the eventual extinction of humanity doesn't make our present activities meaningless, then the timing of that extinction (sooner or later) shouldn't change their meaningfulness either.

Question 10

According to Wolf, the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would not trouble us at first, but over time it would cause us to become increasingly depressed and unsettled.

Accepted Answer

Susan Wolf argues that the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would immediately make our lives feel pointless and our projects seem futile, rather than having a delayed effect on our sense of purpose and well-being.

Question 11

According to Wolf, we should expect the human species to continue for
A) Another billion years.
B) Less than 100,000 years.
C) Another 100,000 years.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf suggests that the human species is likely to continue for less than 100,000 years, based on considerations of our environmental impact, technological advancements, and potential existential risks.

Question 12

The character of Alvy Singer in the film Annie Hall refuses to do his homework because
A) He thinks the world is about to end.
B) He no longer believes in God.
C) The universe is expanding and will eventually break apart.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Alvy Singer, the character played by Woody Allen in "Annie Hall," refuses to do his homework because he is distressed by the concept that the universe is expanding, which he fears means it will eventually break apart, rendering everything meaningless.

Question 13

According to Wolf, people are generally __________ when they recognize that the earth will eventually be destroyed.
A) Filled with angst.
B) Overcome with ennui.
C) Moved to nihilism.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf argues that most people do not experience extreme existential dread (angst), overwhelming boredom (ennui), or a turn towards nihilism upon recognizing the eventual destruction of the earth. Instead, she suggests that people generally continue to find meaning and value in their lives despite this knowledge.

Question 14

Wolf claims that in order for something to matter
A) It must make a permanent difference to the world.
B) God must exist.
C) It must make a long-lasting difference to the world.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf argues against the necessity of permanence or the existence of God for something to matter, suggesting a broader view of what gives our actions and lives significance.

Question 15

Regarding the question of why the imminent extinction of humanity renders our present activities meaningless while the extinction of humanity in the distant future does not, Wolf is not confident that
A) The question is answerable.
B) The question is worth asking.
C) The question is coherent.
D) The question is justified.

Accepted Answer

Wolf expresses uncertainty about whether the question of why the imminent extinction of humanity renders our present activities meaningless, while the extinction of humanity in the distant future does not, can actually be answered. This reflects a skepticism about the solvability or answerability of the question itself.

Question 16

Wolf compares the way the doomsday scenario would affect us to
A) The loss of faith in God.
B) The death of a loved one.
C) The loss of faith in a personal afterlife.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf compares the doomsday scenario's impact to all of the listed items, suggesting a profound and multifaceted effect on individuals' beliefs and emotions.

Question 17

According to Wolf, confronting the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would initially cause us to feel
A) Closer to friends and family.
B) Disoriented and unsettled.
C) Suicidal.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf suggests that the initial reaction to the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would be feelings of disorientation and being unsettled.

Question 18

Wolf claims that if we were confronted with the doomsday scenario, ultimately the reasonable thing to do would be to
A) Grow apathetic and depressed.
B) Reject faith in God and a personal afterlife.
C) Get back to our lives.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf suggests that in the face of a doomsday scenario, the reasonable response would be to return to our lives and continue living as normally as possible.

Question 19

Wolf agrees with Scheffler that
A) The eventual extinction of humanity renders our current projects meaningless.
B) The continued existence other people matters more to us than our own survival.
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a nor b

Accepted Answer

Wolf disagrees with Scheffler on the point that the eventual extinction of humanity renders our current projects meaningless. Instead, she argues that our projects can still have meaning even if humanity is eventually going to become extinct. Additionally, Wolf's focus is not primarily on the comparative value of our own survival versus the continued existence of other people, which is more directly addressed by Scheffler's arguments.

Question 20

Wolf claims that __________ will, over time, bring back the meaning and value to many activities we initially thought the doomsday scenario would undermine.
A) Religious faith.
B) Reason.
C) Love for friends and family.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Wolf argues that reason will help restore meaning and value to activities, as it allows us to understand and adapt to challenges, rather than succumbing to fear or despair.

Quiz 13: The Meaning of Life

Why does Frankfurt think that artistic creation, such as the production of paintings and novels, would not lose its importance if we did not believe in the afterlife? Are you convinced by his reasoning? Why or why not?

Frankfurt claims that people would likely respond differently to the prospect of the end of human life. What are some of the different responses you can think of? How would you respond? Explain your answer. The Significance of Doomsday Susan Wolf

Wolf casts doubt on the assumption that the extinction of humanity in the distant future does not undermine the value of our projects in the way the prospect of a more imminent extinction seems to. What are the grounds of Wolf's doubt? Do you find them convincing? Why or why not?

Wolf claims that if the fact that humans will eventually die out does not render many important activities meaningless then the prospect of a more imminent extinction does not either. Does Wolf make a convincing case for this claim in your view? Why or why not?

Wolf claims that if faced with the imminent destruction of human life, we would initially be unsettled and depressed but should ultimately snap out of it and return to our lives. Is Wolf right about this in your view? Why or why not?

Wolf agrees with Scheffler that people generally are not upset by the prospect of humanity's eventual extinction.

According to Wolf, there is a clear answer to the question of why the imminent extinction of humanity renders our present activities meaningless while extinction of humanity in the distant future does not.

Wolf argues that in order for something to matter it must make a permanent difference to the world.

Wolf believes that if the eventual extinction of humanity does not render our present activities meaningless, then neither does a more imminent extinction.

According to Wolf, the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would not trouble us at first, but over time it would cause us to become increasingly depressed and unsettled.

According to Wolf, we should expect the human species to continue for

The character of Alvy Singer in the film Annie Hall refuses to do his homework because

According to Wolf, people are generally __________ when they recognize that the earth will eventually be destroyed.

Wolf claims that in order for something to matter

Regarding the question of why the imminent extinction of humanity renders our present activities meaningless while the extinction of humanity in the distant future does not, Wolf is not confident that

Wolf compares the way the doomsday scenario would affect us to

According to Wolf, confronting the prospect of humanity's imminent extinction would initially cause us to feel

Wolf claims that if we were confronted with the doomsday scenario, ultimately the reasonable thing to do would be to

Wolf agrees with Scheffler that

Wolf claims that __________ will, over time, bring back the meaning and value to many activities we initially thought the doomsday scenario would undermine.