Explorations question #12

In Chapter 12 of Starship Troopers, Heinlein makes the argument that all values reduce to the necessity to survive -- and that in consequence, war (and the preparation for war) can never be eliminated. Is he right about this? Does the necessity to survive always ensure that a properly-prepared military must always be among the highest priorities for a community?

Explorations question BONUS

Whose values are expressed in the National Museum of the American Indian? How are remembrance and othering manifest in the museum's layout and presentation of artifacts?

Explorations question #11

"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. breed that forget this basic truth have always paid fot it with their lives and freedoms." -- Starship Troopers, p. 27.

Discuss. You might want to also bear in mind our destination for tomorrow's lab session.

Explorations question #10

On p. 285, Bellah and his co-authors suggest that how a society "deals wth the problem of wealth and poverty" should be a "litmus test . . . for assaying the health of a society." Do you agree? Is this issue the single most important factor that we ought to keep in mind when evaluating particular social arrangements?