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1. Thoreau says at the beginning of Walden that his stay in the wilderness was only an experiment, never intended to be a permanent lifestyle. In your view, does this lessen the credibility of his arguments concerning simplicity and economy? What is it about philosophers that make them live a life of few possessions?
2. Thoreau portrays himself as a practical man, a naturalist, and a friend of the working poor. However, he also shows signs of elitism in references to Greek tragedy and Chinese philosophy. Can you find specific examples of these sides of Thoreau in Walden? Do these contrasting character traits make for a contradictory message in your opinion?
3. Thoreau, along with other philosophers we have studied, expressed criticism of mainstream culture. In what ways are their criticisms similar? What do you think Thoreau would do if he found out that Walden was now part of mainstream high school and college curricula?
4. Thoreau has inspired twentieth-century leaders such as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. Can you see the connection between Thoreau’s views and those of his followers? Thoreau himself never sought out a position of leadership in society. Do you think there is a sense in which Thoreau was a leader? What about other philosophers we have studied?
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Also, choose 3 questions from list below and answer them.
Material comes from the books- The Portable Thoreau “civil Disobedience; and Leisure the basis of culture ch. 1 and 2. Please cite.
1. What point does Pieper want to make with his story of the youthful Apollodoros (Pieper 72-74)? Do you agree with him?
2. Everyday life is dominated by the “common need” or “useful good” ( bonum utile) (Pieper 65) but philosophy “transcends …this world of usefulness” and serves the “common good,” (bonum commune) (Pieper 64). He then contrasts “people of efficiency and success” with Heidegger’s question (Pieper 67). In this context, what do you think of his view that philosophy (and not only philosophy) makes a “disturbance” (Pieper 67-71)?
3. How much leisure do you have? Not much, it may be imagined. Does Pieper have a valid point here, or is he being unrealistic? Are our lives basically all right even if we have no time for contemplation? Isn’t leisure for video games, TV, movies, or surfing the Internet?
4. Does Pieper have a point about the liberal and servile arts? Does American education tend to be mostly career-oriented, such that the contemplative dimension is glossed over?
5. “One who is a stranger in the world falls into wells, and into many other embarrassments too” (Plato, Theaetetus). Do you see any relation between the Pilgrims and the “stranger” referred to here?
6. Americans are sometimes said to be individualistic and materialistic. Does this sound true of these Pilgrims? Did their religion make them unable to criticize their dominant culture? Did they believe they had the right and responsibility to form a government on their own without asking anyone’s permission, whether king or pope?
7. Consider Thoreau’s arguments on civil disobedience. If you are in agreement with Thoreau, how do you avoid advocating a lawless society that would be worse than what we’ve got? If you oppose him, how do you square this with our own American history which from Plymouth on has at times engaged in civil disobedience?
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