In the video you will watch for this Discussion Board, I reference several philosophical responses that pertain to the ideas of Barry Schwartz, which are included in your text. While we won’t have time to go over any of them as a class, I will list them here, in case you would like to read them at some point:
- Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Existentialism” which is in section 10.3
- Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics,” found in 3.5
- “The Will to Believe” by William James, found in 7.5
- “The Four Noble Truths” of the Buddha, which is found in section 3.2
- “Manifesto of the Communist Party” by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, found in 5.3 (Capitalism and Exploitation)
In your initial post:
A. What is the most compelling criticism Schwartz makes with regard to having too much choice? Why do you find it compelling? (Be specific.) Are any of the specifically philosophical responses associated with one of the readings identified above to possibly having too much choice that Mike VanQuickenborne discusses in this video sufficient to counter Schwartz with regard to the example you discussed? If not, why not, and if so, which is the most compelling philosophical response you heard, and why do you think it is the most persuasive?
B. Do you think that you have too much choice? If you do, what do you think should be done about it? If you don’t think you have too much choice, are there people who do? What should be done about their excessive choice?
You need to cite both Schwartz’s TED Talk and my commentary on it here to provide evidence for your views as expressed in your post. Your original post should be 3-4 paragraphs long.
Video presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ejdszd4gxfnr0b0phl82s/Screen-Recording-2024-11-21-095731.mp4?rlkey=xdof5es2ljd0qtc96goq5q37c&st=jabu5vz4&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sxf2yzjfs9q61ajzy3med/Screen-Recording-2024-11-21-101357.mp4?rlkey=i80noaaf7afcvf0cba9jbenlp&st=m7lgu8sz&dl=0