Unit 3 Philosophy
SAC 2 - 2010
The SAC is an essay (approximately 600-800 words) to be written in a double
period.
Outcome 2: Critically compare the viewpoints and arguments on the good life developed in the
set texts.
You will be assessed on:
 Knowledge and understanding of the viewpoints and arguments offered in
the set texts
 Comparison of arguments between the set texts
 Evaluation of the merits of certain arguments over others
 Appropriate structure and style for Philosophy
Select ONE of the following essay topics to write on:
Nietzsche
1. Nietzsche tells us to exercise the will to power and create the meaning of life
for ourselves, regardless of traditional moral laws and inherited ideas of good and
evil. Analyse and evaluate this argument making comparison to the views of at
least two other philosophers.
2. Nietzsche professes that happiness and the ‘stimulus of life’ is conflict; this is
directly opposed to the more popular view of happiness as tranquillity. Analyse
this view and compare it to the arguments of at least two other philosophers.
3. Nietzsche suggests that we all have the potential to be like Caesar or
Leonardo Da Vinci. How does this relate to his view of the good life? Compare
this idea of the potential of humanity to that of at least two other philosophers.
Murdoch
4. Murdoch assumes that all humans are naturally selfish and that to have a good
life we must break our selfish nature. Analyse and evaluate this argument making
comparison to the views of at least two other philosophers.
5. “Good art reveals what we are usually too selfish and too timid to recognize,
the minute and absolute random detail of the world…” What does Murdoch
mean here and what does it suggest about her view of the good life. Compare
this to the arguments of at least two other philosophers.
6. Murdoch argues that our moral theories should be both idealistic and realistic.
What does she mean by this and how does this view compare to those
presented by at least two other philosophers.