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At the planning conference in Montargis 2002,
the student delegates suggested that this topic would be a productive
one for international comparative study. They also felt that such
things are not usually taught within the schools' curricula. The
questionnaire below was prepared by students from Rendsburg and
sent to the other schools. Some answers from 16 and 17 year old
Lancaster students can be found by following the links embedded
in the question numbers. Thanks to Lower Sixth Geoggraphy Set
2 for taking the time to answer these questions.
Philosophies of life - Young people in different nations
A philosophy of life consists of three essential
parts:
1. Value judgement/theories about man and the world (e.g. relationship
man-animal-God etc.)
2. A central judgement system (e.g. what is good/bad, right/wrong
etc.)
3. A basic outlook on life as a human being (e.g. hope/despair,
positive/negative feeling of life)
These three parts flow into one another and often cannot be regarded independently. Part three "a basic outlook on life" has, however, the largest degree of independence. By answering the following questions it is possible to create a picture of your own philosophy of life.
Please answer the following questions (1-20)
with an explanatory sentence. Examples or counter questions are
welcome.
Answer each question in the way you think or consider to be correct.
If you think that any of the questions are too suggestive or do
not relate to your way of thinking, please make a note of it.
Explain instead what you think and why you cannot answer this
question. It is also possible that you have never thought about
any of these questions, however, this should not prevent you from
starting to do so now. Use this as an opportunity to let your
thoughts flow and write them down. Most people do not have a completely
thought-out philosophy of life.
Consider whether there is a connection between your answers after you have answered all the questions. Are they logically consistent? Are there contradictions? Are your views thought-out? Are your views clear, vague or do see you them as an attempt to explain something difficult to describe?
Do you believe that your actions are in agreement with your thoughts about man and the world? If so, please give an example. If your thoughts do not correspond with your actions, what steers them?
Questions
1. Into which
basic categories do you divide everything that exists? (e.g. mortal/immortal,
material, spiritual etc.) Why have you specifically selected these
categories?
2. Is there an empirically unproven
reality? If so, what is it made up of? (e.g. angels, souls, ghosts,
God etc.)
3. Did the world develop coincidentally
or is there some kind of plan behind it? Back up your ideas with
any evidence you have.
4. Do humans possess any qualities
that animals do not have at all?
(e.g immortality, a special kind of soul, certain faults or gifts)
5. Are there any innate differences
between women and men? What are they?
6. Is the world developing in a particular
direction? (e.g. progress, destruction)
7. How do you see the future of the
earth? Does it move you? Explain why?
8. How do you see the future of our
society (nationally)? Does it move you? Explain why?
9. How do you see the future of mankind?
Does it move you? Explain why?
10. How do you see your future?
11. What do you think about your
own death, the death of those close to you and the death of unknown
people?
12. What is necessary in order to
lead a satisfied life?
13. What is needed in order to create
a good society as well as good life for all?
14. To what extent is it possible
to carry out Good?
15. Is there anything that drives
the striving of humans more strongly than everything else? (e.g.
maximum personal happiness, morality etc.)
16. Are humans good, bad or something
in between? Is it possible to describe humans with any other terms?
17. How do we know what is good or
bad, right or wrong? How is this knowledge acquired?
18. Is there something objectively
Good or Evil? Please back up your opinion.
19. Does truth exist? Can it be found?
If so, how and where?
20. What coins/shapes your attitude
to life as a whole? (e.g. optimism, pessimism etc.)