A reflection paper on at least three (3) of the five (5) philosophers covered during Module Three

Description: This is a reflection paper on at least three (3) of the five (5) philosophers covered during Module Three: Søren Kierkegaard, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Iris Murdoch.

To Prepare: Please review the study questions, slides, lecture notes and resources provided on the slides and lectures notes to be sure you understand the material (on Canvas under “Modules”)

Goal: To know thyself is to love thyself, and to love thyself is to love thy neighbor. Come to know yourself, love yourself, and your neighbor (family, friends, acquaintances, even strangers) through the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Iris Murdoch. Which one of the three philosophers most resonated with you most? Why? Be sure you do not provide a summary of the philosopher or the philosophy. Instead, express a well researched understanding of three of the philosopher’s philosophies and describe how it has inspired you to better come to know yourself, love yourself, and love your neighbor.

Question: The question you are answer is: How can I come to know myself and love myself and my neighbor, as a process of becoming, through the writings of at least three (3) of the philosophers from module three: Søren Kierkegaard, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Iris Murdoch? What role does ‘love’ play in each philosophy? How were you influenced by the philosophies? Provide reasons why you were influenced, inspired, invigorated, insulted, annoyed, etc. Your evidence will be quotes from the required readings and your own life experiences, dreams, wishes, fears, challenges, etc. Be sure NOT to provide a summary of the philosopher’s life or the philosophy generally. Instead, express your thorough, well read, well thought understanding of the philosophy. Also, how has philosophy inspired you to rely on yourself (Emerson’s self reliance, for example) and own yourself (Nietzsche, for example) and live your life as though it were art — to make your life beautiful! In addition, the films we watched during the summer session may be used to defend your position. Either a direct quote from the film or the resources provided for understanding the film content.

Quotes: Provide at least six quotes from the text(s) – required readings, NOT the lectures or slides. You may certainly include more than six quotes. Indicate the source with the author’s last name, text title, and the page number. For example, (Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, p. 32). If you want to quote the slides or the Zoom lectures, the quotes must be after six from the required readings. Two (2) of the quotes may be from the films, either the films themselves or reviews of the films. Quotes are, in part, the evidence you provide to prove your point, to defend your position, to show that your reflections are well researched, intelligent, and applicable to everyday experience. Also, please know that in academia (scholarly writings), it is NOT permitted to quote books and authors you have not read.

Extra Credit: (4 points possible)
1. What is love? (1 point)
2. Who do I really want to become? (1 point)
3. How can I best use my gifts? (1 point)
4. If you had one last message to leave to the handful of people who are most important to you,

what would it be in 25 words or less? (1 point)
Note: Please be sure to number your extra credit questions so I know which one(s) you are answering. In addition, write at least 3 – 5 complete sentences to answer the questions above for credit.

General Criteria