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Philosophy/Questions Answered by Expert Michael J. Motta
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Benefits of Art | 11/22/2011 |
| Q: I am currently exploring an EPQ project looking at Plato's view on art (in terms of paintings) and ... A: I have a useful resource that also happens to contain my thoughts: ... | |
| Egoism | 11/20/2011 |
| Q: The first impression I got thinking about human behaviour is that Egoism is the engine of everything ... A: I think what you're arguing for is what is known as "psychological egoism". You might read Jeremy ... | |
| advice | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: Motta, I hope you are well. I know you do not do homework questions (and frankly I am not sure if ... A: I have studied Marx, but most of it was 20+ years ago, and I never really approached him as a ... | |
| philosophy and terminology ( | 10/19/2011 |
| Q: I am a political science and also a philosophy major in college, and am a senior. I am currently ... A: In general, I would encourage you to read quality literature in order to increase your working ... | |
| Learning Philosophy | 10/18/2011 |
| Q: I regret that I didn't take more philosophy classes in college and although I don't think it would ... A: It's always refreshing to receive correspondence from someone who wants to learn for the sheer sake ... | |
| Reincarnation. | 9/25/2011 |
| Q: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation Scientifically it has till not proved till date that ... A: I don't believe in a soul distinct from body (mind/body dualism), so I don't believe in ... | |
| Famous People with Disablities | 8/17/2011 |
| Q: I sometimes wonder those Great People like Stevie Wonder Musician), Stephen Hawkings ... A: Oh, I would agree that Stevie Wonder is exceptional. I enjoy his music and he went to a school for ... | |
| Famous People with Disablities | 8/15/2011 |
| Q: I sometimes wonder those Great People like Stevie Wonder Musician), Stephen Hawkings ... A: Prashant. Thanks for your question. I'm certainly not an expert on this, but first I'd have to ... | |
| not sure | 8/5/2011 |
| Q: ive often wondered what was in the begining what was first before all things or anything before all ... A: This kind of reminds me of the ol' "if a tree falls in a woods and nobody hears it, does it make a ... | |
| Language in Natural Sciences? | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: This is kind of a social science topic even though concepts of Natural Sciences is included. I'm ... A: Unfortunately, I'm neither a natural scientist nor a philosopher of language, but I have a couple of ... | |
| Internal Falsehoods | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: I have been trying to figure out who initially expressed the concept that our impressions of the ... A: Josh, I see we're fellow Michiganians! When is spring going to be here for more than a day?! I'm a ... | |
| Nietzsche - Der tolle Mensch and the Vorrede of Also sprach Zarathustra | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: Which connections between Der tolle Mensch and the Vorrede of Also sprach Zarathustra do you think ... A: Certainly important connections between the madman and Prologue of Zarathustra include the death of ... | |
| Perspective Jumping | 2/25/2011 |
| Q: with so many religions and philosophies how can i decide on the right one? I am 17 and have had an ... A: I think some of your questions may partially be answered by my response that granted each person has ... | |
| Philosophy | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: I'm struggling through a 300 level philosophy course, and have to write a 1-2 page essay explaining ... A: First, of course you should read "Beyond Good and Evil", as presumably part of the goal of the ... | |
| ethics | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: I am taking a philosophy class at my school. We have an assignment where we have to discuss ... A: First, I think you need to clarify whether you're talking about what sorts of issues come under the ... | |
| Catgorical Imperative | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: This semester is my first time taking a philosophy class ever, and I’m having a difficult time ... A: The issue of inherent worth is directly related to the formulation of the categorical imperative ... | |
| Descartes | 8/26/2010 |
| Q: Do you know which of Descartes works is the one where he writes about the mind-body dichotomy? I ... A: Descartes' major text is "Meditations on First Philosophy" (see particularly Meditation VI for ... | |
| Consciousness | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: II could really get into this question but I will make it as brief as possible. I was raised a ... A: Paul, Thanks for your question. I think part of what you're getting at here involves the ... | |
| Virtues which could not exist without there being evil in the world | 6/18/2010 |
| Q: What is the usual name given to the virtues which could not exist without evil in the world? It’s a ... A: Would you be looking for "perseverance and fortitude"? "The good of perseverance and fortitude ... | |
| complaint | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I found no other way of contacting you through this site. I recently asked you the following ... A: I apologize, but I actually clicked on "I believe this is a homework question", and then AllExperts ... | |
| Kant’s Phenomenal/Noumenal Distinction | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: I read an argument that attempts to refute Kant’s phenomenal/noumenal distinction. Here it is: ... A: I think what I'm trying to get at ultimately is that, for instance the Milky Way qua Milky Way, the ... | |
| Kant’s Phenomenal/Noumenal Distinction | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: I read an argument that attempts to refute Kant’s phenomenal/noumenal distinction. Here it is: ... A: Jim, Thanks for your thoughtful follow-up. Perceiving doesn't necessarily mean that there are ... | |
| Kant’s Phenomenal/Noumenal Distinction | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: I read an argument that attempts to refute Kant’s phenomenal/noumenal distinction. Here it is: ... A: The key part of the quotation to me is the phrase "might differ". We can't see exactly how phenomena ... | |
| famous quote | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: Will you tell me what philosopher that talked about "the good of the many over the good of a few"? ... A: I'm not sure which particular philosopher this leads to, but some possibilities include Jean-Jacques ... | |
| epistemological basis for art criticism | 4/19/2010 |
| Q: In a TV programme on Michaelangelo, art historian Simon Schama said that when we look into the eyes ... A: As I'm sure you're aware, art criticism can be a highly subjective undertaking. As such, I'm not ... | |
| philosophy? or craziness? | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: Okay, my english teachers has us do these class presentations every other month. This time, we have ... A: I'm only very familiar with the so-called "veil of Maya" via the nineteenth century German ... | |
| Existentialism | 11/19/2009 |
| Q: Sir, did any existentialist speak about social responsibility and asked to get off our comfortable ... A: Yes indeed, more than one existentialist spoke of social responsibility and having the courage to ... | |
| philosophy | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know, what is the best way to learn about philosophy? I am finished with univarsity, ... A: I think you're on the right track with Plato, but you might want to go back just a little further ... | |
| nietzsche | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: I have yet another. Nietzsche mentions how "strict selfishness" is the most profoundly necessary ... A: You mention some concerns of immediate practicality, such as maintaining and enhancing the body in ... | |
| nietsche again | 8/22/2009 |
| Q: so I have continued my reading in "Ecce Homo" by Nietzsche. I am currently reading through the ... A: Without my going back through and doing the research in Ecce Homo specifically, I will give you the ... | |
| nietzsche | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: I have been reading the book called "Why I am So Wise" by Friedrich Nietzsche. I am currently ... A: First, I think you mean the book is "Ecce Homo", and "Why I Am So Wise" and "Why I Am So Clever" are ... | |
| scientists play a greater part | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: I have problems with this question "Should scientists play a greater part in the government of a ... A: i) Examples I think would include issues such as global warming, contagious diseases, and space ... | |
| Merely mirror them | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: Hai, do you mind explain & describe to me what this whole sentence means, please "Television sex and ... A: "Television sex and violence does not mould societal values, it merely mirrors them.' Discuss." This ... | |
| Work in Philosophy | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: what work is there in philosophy? A: Do you mean unpaid work or paid work? There's virtually infinite unpaid work in philosophy! More ... | |
| Existentialism | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Motta. Could you explain to me the main idea of existentialism? I am in grade eight and the ... A: It's great to hear from younger readers! First, I have a novel to recommend to you especially ... | |
| saying | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: What is the meaning of saying that the consciousness of the past weighs like a nightmare on the ... A: It's difficult for me to tell exactly what the saying has in mind, since there's no author ... | |
| unconscious, subconscious | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: Do you agree with the sentence below: "We unconsciously reject or accept, and then subconsciously ... A: Wow! You sure knew how to give me a tough one this time! To be honest with you, even though ... | |
| Education in Plato | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: I am a researcher and have following problem:in Plato political thought are citizens free to choose ... A: Presumably we're talking about "The Republic". As for your first question, no. Second question, ... | |
| reality | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: !! I'd like to ask you about the first sentence below. "Unless we postulate that somehow each ... A: Howdy Luke, I think the first sentence is trying to draw a dichotomy between the purely subjective ... | |
| Inauthenticity and Jean-Paul Sarte | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: When we try to avoid making choices or living up to the responsibility of making choices, according ... A: since it's Monday morning! Two words: "bad faith". Please see one of my personal archives here: ... | |
| lagarde | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a few questions about “George de Lagarde”. 1. His date of birth. 2. His date of death. 3. His ... A: Wow, you sure know how to ask tough questions! I'm sorry that I won't be able to give you much, but ... | |
| how to be acknowleged. | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: Motta. How you doing. My name is Tittim. I just had a look at your description at the all experts ... A: Shwan, Thanks for the question. There are a lot of different ways to get publicity, but in this ... | |
| question | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: who is considered as the greatest philosopher of all time like bertrand russell? A: Waqar, Thanks for the question. Obviously, this is highly subjective, but I will make two comments. ... | |
| Fallacious reasoning | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: I'm trying to think of the technical phrases (or Latin term if applicable) for the type of hazy ... A: Syllogist whore, First, let me direct you to this page, as it's filled with all sorts of fallacies ... | |
| The Bucket List | 12/4/2008 |
| Q: I have a presentation that is due on monday for my Philosophy classl. The project consist of a list ... A: First, I'm wondering why you chose "The Bucket List" if you're having problems using it. Couldn't ... | |
| plato | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: I am having difficulty figuring out the argument for the existence of god in Plato's law's book X. ... A: R, Thanks for your question. First, let's make sure you have the text. Here is Book X ... | |
| Help | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: I am curious thats why i am sking this type of question and this is not a homework question. What ... A: Sam, Yes, the Forms "truly exist" for Plato. They're timeless and static. Now I think Plato would ... | |
| Help | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I am curious thats why i am sking this type of question and this is not a homework question. What ... A: I refer you to an article I've written: http://www.ehow.com/how_2148157_understand-platos-forms.html ... | |
| question about author | 6/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about the French philosopher Albert Camus. Do you know if there is a book of his ... A: I doubt that there would be a book consisting specifically and exclusively in Camus quotes. But ... | |
| human nature norms/assisted suicide (pro) | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying to do research for a paper from a Phil of Human Nature class where I was Lost; my ... A: Bretti, Thanks for your inquiry. Here is an article of mine that compares deontological ethics ... | |
| Unusual Question | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: Sorry to trouble you, I have an odd, rather convoluted question to ask. Basically, I'm an ... A: Geoff, Thanks. This was a fun question. As much as I enjoy writing, and as much as I hate to admit ... | |
| Feuerbach | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: What is another philosopher that I can compare to Feuerbach's new philosophy. Plese help thank you. A: K, Thanks for your question. The first philosopher who comes to my mind when I see the name ... | |
| Chicken and the egg semantics | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: The Chicken and the egg paradox seems to have been resolved and I tend to agree with the results. ... A: Dom, Thanks for the question. I'm going to have to go with "because it came from a chicken" on ... | |
| Sartre vs Thoreau | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to flesh out the differences between Thoreau and Sartre, particularly with their views ... A: Rose, Thanks for your question. For Sartre's existentialist philosophy, I think soft paternalism ... | |
| no existent objects. | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: should we accept that there are non-existent objects? A: Rob, Thanks for the question. Here is a page that summarizes various problems and arguments ... | |
| Philosophers and their theories on "self" | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: i have to write an in class essay tomorrow on 5 philosophers and their theories of "self" I was ... A: Kasey, Normally I don't answer "homework questions" because normally they're couched in dishonesty, ... | |
| ways to advance analytical skill | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: Michael, Reading your profile with analytical philosophy, I am interested in your views on ... A: Calvin, Wow I think you're off to a good start just in your comprehensive "question"! To clarify ... | |
| ethics | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: my question deals both with philosophy and science. I am atheist but I do have an ethical code: I ... A: Jack, This is one of the toughest questions I've been asked! I think the best service I can do for ... | |
| Emotions | 10/7/2007 |
| Q: I just got done watching a more recent version of "attack of the body snatchers" and I was wondering ... A: James, While "James" is traditionally one of the most popular Anglo-American names, I tend to have ... | |
| Emotions | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: I just got done watching a more recent version of "attack of the body snatchers" and I was wondering ... A: James, Nice to hear from you again (if you're the same James from a few times before). Thanks for ... | |
| titles | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: This time I have neither philosophical nor psychological question to you. I only would like to ask ... A: Luke, Oops, somehow I missed Schopenhauer. His magnum opus is sometimes translated as "The World as ... | |
| titles | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: This time I have neither philosophical nor psychological question to you. I only would like to ask ... A: Since you want something "not so difficult", you may not be too happy with Jean-Paul Sartre, however ... | |
| Philosophy teaching | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: My boyfriend is in his first year of a Ph.D philosophy program and just started teaching an ... A: Lisa, Thanks for the question. I think that part of the issue here lies within its framing. ... | |
| philosophy for non-philosophers | 7/3/2007 |
| Q: I'm wondering if you can name some great books on philosophy for non-philosophers. There are two ... A: This is a rough one for me to pin down especially since I've read very few books on philosophy of ... | |
| Natural death? | 6/21/2007 |
| Q: I just have a simple question, is burning alive considered a natural death? A: If you mean by "natural death", what is commonly referred to in medicine as "death by natural ... | |
| thinking | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: Michael! I've heard somewhere that Martin Heidegger presented an argument for the possibility of a ... A: Welcome back Mr. Luke! I think you probably came closer to Heidegger's notion of meditative ... | |
| Certainty | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: Is there anyway to measure certainty? I know statistically you can come up with a probability that ... A: James, Thanks for the question. I think as soon as you speak of "measuring" certainty you've ... | |
| help! | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: Hey, what's the porpuse and meaning of life... Lost soul doesn't know where to go.. A: Nords, Thanks for the perennial question. The first thing that came to my mind (after thinking of ... | |
| KANT | 5/4/2007 |
| Q: I always have quite simple questions- the categorical imperative produces categorical imperitives, ... A: Alice, Thanks for your question. The various formulations of the categorical imperative produce ... | |
| LOCKE | 4/27/2007 |
| Q: Reading locke and berkeley i have a few problems; For Berkeley there is no such thing as matter? Or ... A: Nice to "hear" from you again if you are the person who also goes by "Alex McIlveen". If not, ... | |
| know yourself | 3/22/2007 |
| Q: Michael! Henry David Thoreau wrote that: We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad ... A: Lucas, Thanks for the question. Your Thoreau quote presents an idea that I recall from American ... | |
| need a good book | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: It's been a LONG time since I've been able to finish a book, and I'm in search of one I won't be ... A: Sammantha, Thanks for the question. There sure are plenty of good reads and I'm sure to overlook ... | |
| ARISTOTLE AND HAPPINESS | 2/25/2007 |
| Q: Thus to say happiness requires activity and activity is needed for happiness is tautological? Also ... A: You're welcome -- and my apologies for identifying you as "Mr." in my first answer. It's rather ... | |
| ARISTOTLE AND HAPPINESS | 2/24/2007 |
| Q: I am a phiolosphy student in Glasgow and am struggling over this question regarding Aristotle; ... A: Mcilveen, Thanks for your question. It's nice to hear from Glasgow, city of my favorite ... | |
| solitude | 2/20/2007 |
| Q: I'm asking a follow-up just to make sure I understand your point of view. You wrote about "Other" ... A: Lucas, I don't think you quite have it but you're on the right track. A return to Hyldgaard's ... | |
| solitude | 2/17/2007 |
| Q: Hope you don't mind me asking you questions all the time! Some time ago I was thinking about the ... A: I don't mind you asking questions, especially since you you pose existential questions more so than ... | |
| beautiful/ugly | 2/13/2007 |
| Q: How do people define beauty? Is it something that we feel that something is beautiful or ugly, or ... A: Luke, Thanks for the question. How do people define beauty? Aesthetics is the traditional branch ... | |
| automaton | 2/7/2007 |
| Q: Would you agree that nowadays a human being became a cog in a large economic machine that his hands ... A: Wow! That's quite a series of inquiries. Let's take a look, with the understanding that this is far ... | |
| Theodor Adorno - Help | 1/15/2007 |
| Q: My name is Lior and I am a student from Israel. In order to write a paper on Theodor Adorno, I will ... A: Lior, Thanks for the question. It's usually rugged finding primary source materials online (as ... | |
| if there is such thing as... | 1/15/2007 |
| Q: if scientists believe there are an infinate amount of dimensions to which every conceivable ... A: Olly, Thanks for the question. Let me try to break down your argument. Let B = scientists believe ... | |
| So You mean...... | 1/8/2007 |
| Q: 1.To put it simply,so you mean we can see the reality clearly to our desire and feeling, and we were ... A: Rambo, Thanks for asking for clarification. 1. Yes I think you've got it. Our personal perspectives ... | |
| Life is like a dream | 1/7/2007 |
| Q: 1.About life is like a dream, do you mean a person view of reality is inaccurate because most of the ... A: Rambo, Thanks for your questions. 1. I don't necessarily say that life is like a dream; your ... | |
| Life is like a dream | 1/3/2007 |
| Q: I got few question I need to ask you. It seem to be easy, but I just don't understand. 1.Why does ... A: Rambo, Thanks for the excellent question. It is not simple, as you found. 1. There are many ways ... | |
| jean paul sarte existenialist ethics | 12/11/2006 |
| Q: Jean Paul Sarte Existentialist Ethics I'm Suppossed to address a quote from his reading but I dont ... A: Danielle, Thanks for your question. Are you sure that this a Sartre quote? It looks to me as if ... | |
| Futurist? | 11/21/2006 |
| Q: Would you happen to know what a futurist does? Is it a disapline of philosophy? A: James, there are different kinds of futurism, futurists, and future studies ... | |
| Concerned | 11/12/2006 |
| Q: Why are so many Islamic people becoming radical Muslim terrorists? What is their motivation? Can we ... A: The specifics of your questions are outside of my expertise but as a philosopher who also takes an ... | |
| Technology and Human Behavior | 11/9/2006 |
| Q: I'm a senior journalism major and I'm constructing an article. Maybe I can rephrase the question. I ... A: Cornell, Thanks for your question. I have to echo the sentiments of a couple of the answers to ... | |
| career course - hopefully you can help! :) | 11/8/2006 |
| Q: let me apologize in advance if this is not the correct area to submit this type of question. i have ... A: Heath, Thanks for the question. I can understand your bewilderment, as this pursuit of yours ... | |
| Critical Thinking | 11/7/2006 |
| Q: I'm not sure if this is your expertise but I loved your answers in philosophical thinking. I have ... A: Mistiski, Thanks for your question and kind remark. I used to chat online with a person nicknamed ... | |
| the right to self defense | 10/17/2006 |
| Q: A victims deliberate use of deadly force is a just response to repeated domestic violence? This is ... A: Jon, Thanks for the question. I looked up your topic on nflonline.org, just to clarify it in my ... | |
| save the world or save your friends | 10/13/2006 |
| Q: If you're a hero, and you have to make a choice, are you supposed to save the world or save your ... A: My mom won't let me read Harry Potter because it's the "work of the devil" (just kidding) -- but I ... | |
| Does God Exist? | 9/25/2006 |
| Q: Do you believe that God exist or does not exist? What is your best argument? What is your reutation ... A: Roy, This sounds like a homework question to me but I will offer some of my personal views on the ... | |
| fromm | 9/20/2006 |
| Q: cause i'm thinking of buying it! thanks again! Followup To Question - HI Michael What do you ... A: Luke, First, thanks for your kind remarks. Secondly, no I haven't read "To Have or to Be" to my ... | |
| fromm | 9/19/2006 |
| Q: What do you think about a german philosopher Erich Fromm? Have you ever read some of his books, if ... A: Luke, I've read various works by Fromm such as "Escape from Freedom", "The Sane Society" (which I ... | |
| Philosophy | 9/14/2006 |
| Q: I just read Protagoras and Who's To Say...my question is Explain relativism, the different type, ... A: Tristan, First of all, I'm not sure if you read Plato's dialogue called "Protagoras" or if you read ... | |
Philosophy
Answers by Expert:
Michael J. Motta
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Existentialism, existential psychology, political philosophy; some value theory and ethics. Interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences and humanities: some background in abnormal psychology, expressionist art, and modern literature. I'd defer to other experts especially in areas such as analytic philosophy and philosophy of science.
Experience
Tutor, Michigan State University, Student-Athlete Support Services, 2002-2005.
Teaching Assistant, Binghamton University, Department of Philosophy, 1995.
Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union
Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union
Michigan Audubon Society
Publications
The Society for Laingian Studies (giardino delle parole),
Lansing State Journal, Grand Ledge Independent, beTurtle.com, Property Investor Magazine, Grand Rapids Press, eHow.com
Education/Credentials
Graduate study, Binghamton University, Department of Philosophy, 1993-95.
MA in Philosophy, Michigan State University, College of Arts and Letters, 1991. Master's thesis: "Nietzsche's 'Hothouse For Strange And Choice Plants'".
BA in Social Science, Michigan State University, James Madison College, 1989.
Study abroad: Cambridge University, Trinity College, Cambridge, England, 1988.
Awards and Honors
Clifford D. Clark Fellow, Binghamton University, 1993-95.
Department of Philosophy Fellowship, Michigan State University, 1991.
National Merit Scholar, Michigan State University, 1985-1989.
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