Existentialism
Paper Topics
Due: March 7, 2008
Write a 1000 word essay on one of the following topics:
1. In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche begins his preface with the statement,
“Supposing truth is a woman,” and adds that philosophers have been very
“inexpert about women.” By discussing the themes we have gone over in class,
clarify what you think Nietzsche is implying in this opening line. How does
Nietzsche believe philosophers should proceed if they are going to be less
“inexpert about women”?
2. In his discussions of herd or slave morality, Nietzsche frequently refers to the
philosophers of the future who will overcome this slavish tendency. Discuss the
role Christianity, democracy, and language (among others you might choose to
discuss as well) play in generating and reinforcing the herd morality. Then based
on your reading of what Nietzsche takes to be the task of the philosophers of the
future, discuss how you think slave morality might be overcome.
3. In ‘Before the Law,’ Kafka presents a man who does everything to be admitted to
the law, all without success. In what way is this parable typical of the themes one
finds in Kafka’s writings? Elaborate, and be sure to refer to Kafka’s other stories.