Question 1

According to Trisel, "in regard to whether one's individual life can be meaningful, it does not matter whether life ..."

Accepted Answer

According to Trisel, the meaningfulness of one's individual life is not dependent on whether it was intended or arose by chance, meaning that both options can lead to a meaningful life. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 2

According to Trisel, many people believe that "If ________ was involved in the emergence of life, this suggests that life was unintended and that it was not inevitable that life would develop."

Accepted Answer

The word "chance" suggests that life emerged randomly and without purpose or intention. This implies that the development of life was not predetermined or inevitable, but rather the result of a fortuitous sequence of events.

Question 3

According to Trisel, "Even if life arose by chance, the universe contained the _________ to create human life, as demonstrated by our existence."

Accepted Answer

The quote implies that even if life arose by chance, the universe still had the potential or necessary conditions for human life to exist.

Question 4

Trisel says, "Albert Einstein is often mentioned as someone who led a meaningful life. In judging whether his life was meaningful, no one would ever ask 'Was his existence intended?' Whether or not a person's existence was intended is __________ to whether this person's life is meaningful."

Accepted Answer

Whether or not a person's existence was intended is irrelevant to whether this person's life is meaningful. Meaningfulness comes from the impact a person has on the world, their contributions and accomplishments, and the relationships they have built, not from the circumstances of their birth or existence.

Question 5

Trisel tells us that some people have argued that "As long as human life, in general, was intended by God, then human life would purportedly have ____________________, regardless of whether the existence of a particular individual was intended by his or her parents or God."

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that some people believe that the general existence of human life has an objective meaning or purpose intended by God, irrespective of the intentions of individual parents or God regarding a specific person's existence. Option A best reflects this belief. options B, C, and D don't fit well with the statement.

Question 6

Trisel says, "If there is no superior being to provide us with this affirmation, it does not mean that our lives are bad or not truly meaningful. Rather, it simply means that our judgments about our lives cannot be __________. However, if we conclude, using objective criteria, that our lives are good and that one's life can be meaningful, the lack of a confirmation from a superior being does not, in any way, undermine or invalidate this judgment."

Accepted Answer

Trisel's argument suggests that without a superior being, our judgments about our lives cannot be externally verified or "confirmed." The context implies that the lack of a superior being's affirmation doesn't make our lives meaningless or bad, but rather that we cannot seek external validation or confirmation for our judgments about the goodness or meaningfulness of our lives.

Question 7

Trisel says, "If God exists and he created humanity as a means to fulfilling a purpose, but then chose not to clarify his purpose or our role, leaving people in a state of doubt, then this would be ..."

Accepted Answer

If God created humanity with a specific purpose but did not clarify it to us, it would be disrespectful to human beings as it would leave us in a state of confusion and uncertainty about our existence and purpose. This goes against the idea of a loving and caring God who values his creation.

Question 8

Trisel says, "As adults going about a daily routine, it is easy to lose that sense of wonder that we had as young children. One way to reclaim that sense of wonder is by reflecting on the ..."

Accepted Answer

Reflecting on the improbability of human life, such as the conditions that had to be just right for life to exist on Earth, can remind us of the wonder and awe of the world around us.

Question 9

According to Trisel, "in regard to whether one's individual life can be meaningful, it does not matter whether life was intended or arose by chance."

Accepted Answer

Trisel believes that the origin of life, whether intentional or accidental, does not impact the potential for individual life to have meaning.

Question 10

According to Trisel, many people believe that "If matter was involved in the emergence of life, this suggests that life was unintended and that it was not inevitable that life would develop."

Accepted Answer

Trisel's statement is a philosophical interpretation rather than a widely held belief. The involvement of matter in the emergence of life does not necessarily imply that life was unintended or that its development was not inevitable. The emergence of life from matter can be seen through various scientific theories, such as abiogenesis, which do not inherently address the intentionality or inevitability of life's development.

Question 11

According to Trisel, "Even if life arose by chance, the universe contained the potential to create human life, as demonstrated by our existence."

Accepted Answer

Trisel's statement suggests that even if life arose by chance, the fact that humans exist demonstrates that the universe contained the necessary conditions to support human life, implying that our existence is not just a coincidence.

Question 12

Trisel says, "Albert Einstein is often mentioned as someone who led a meaningful life. In judging whether his life was meaningful, no one would ever ask 'Was his existence intended?' Whether or not a person's existence was intended is necessary to whether this person's life is meaningful."

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. One's existence being intended or not does not determine the meaningfulness of their life. Many individuals who were not intended (such as those born from unplanned pregnancies) can lead very meaningful lives, while others who were intended (such as a child born to fulfill their parents' desires) may not.

Question 13

Trisel tells us that some people have argued that "As long as human life, in general, was intended by God, then human life would purportedly have an objective meaning, regardless of whether the existence of a particular individual was intended by his or her parents or God."

Accepted Answer

The statement is referring to the argument that if God intended human life in general, then there is objective meaning to human life regardless of individual intentions.

Question 14

Trisel says, "If there is no superior being to provide us with this affirmation, it does not mean that our lives are bad or not truly meaningful. Rather, it simply means that our judgments about our lives cannot be condoned. However, if we conclude, using objective criteria, that our lives are good and that one's life can be meaningful, the lack of a confirmation from a superior being does not, in any way, undermine or invalidate this judgment."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Trisel says, "If there is no superior...

Question 15

Trisel says, "If God exists and he created humanity as a means to fulfilling a purpose, but then chose not to clarify his purpose or our role, leaving people in a state of doubt, then this would be tantamount to letting evil exist."

Accepted Answer

The statement is a philosophical opinion rather than a factual claim that can be definitively labeled as true or false. It reflects a perspective on the nature of divine purpose and the existence of evil.

Question 16

Trisel says, "As adults going about a daily routine, it is easy to lose that sense of wonder that we had as young children. One way to reclaim that sense of wonder is by reflecting on the improbability of human life."

Accepted Answer

Trisel is suggesting that reflecting on the improbability of human life can help adults regain a sense of wonder, so the statement is true.

Question 17

Trisel says, "a distinction should be made between whether human life has a purpose and whether one's individual life is purposeful." Explain the distinction that Trisel mentions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Trisel says, "a distinction should be made...

Question 18

According to Trisel, "in regard to whether one's individual life can be meaningful, it does not matter whether life was intended or arose by chance." Explain some of Trisel's arguments in support of his claim.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Trisel, "in regard to whether...

Question 19

According to Trisel, many people believe that "If chance was involved in the emergence of life, this suggests that life was unintended and that it was not inevitable that life would develop." What is Trisel's position regarding this claim?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Trisel, many people believe that...

Question 20

According to Trisel, "Even if life arose by chance, the universe contained the potential to create human life, as demonstrated by our existence." What support does Trisel give to this claim? Do you agree with Trisel? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Trisel, "Even if life arose...

Quiz 10: Epicurus in Waking or in Dream