Discussion Question Category: Metaphysics

Bad Case of Stripes

Why does Camilla pretend she doesn’t like lima beans? Have you ever pretended that you liked or didn’t like something in order to “fit in” with others? Do people change depending on the people or places that surround them? If so, in what way? If you really wanted to do something that your classmates thought Bad Case of Stripes

An Angel for Solomon Singer

What is a home? Do we define it more by location or by the people we share it with (or something else)? Could one really make a home of a hotel? If not, why not? What changes something from a house (or apartment) to a home? Can a home change? When we move, is our An Angel for Solomon Singer

Double Trouble

Which robot is the “real” Algernon (the one at the house, or the one who returns from the company)? Why? Is there a particular part of the robot that is central to his identity (without it he wouldn’t be himself)? Would you think differently about which one is the “real” Algernon if the changes were Double Trouble

Chrysanthemum

What makes a name a “perfect” name? Is there such a thing? Is any name perfect? Every name? What does it mean for something to be perfect? Is your name an important part of who you are? If you changed your name, would you change? Why do the other students tease Chrysanthemum? How do people Chrysanthemum

Bear that Wasn’t

How does a bear know it’s time to hibernate? How does a bear know anything? How do you know when it’s time for bed? How do you know anything? What is something you know you know? What is something you believe but aren’t sure of? How do you know that something is a bear? How Bear that Wasn’t