Name: Tung Tran Period: 1 Date: 5/1/17

MatterofLifeorDeathSocraticSeminarQuestions

We will be using the following questions in our Socratic Seminar. The Socratic Seminar is one of your summative
assignments for this reading unit. Come up with assertions (verbal topic sentences/claims) that directly answer
the question. Write notes with evidence to support your claim. The evidence is REQUIRED because it will help
back up your assertion and it will help keep the conversation centered around the issue of survival. The talking
points are equally important. They allow you to elaborate on the so what of your assertion and evidence.
Without this verbal matters, your conversations will seem flat and boring. Not all of the questions will be used
but you need assertions, evidence, and talking points for each one. If needed, you may use a separate page to
answer the following questions. You will submit this for a grade!

1. Based on all the information we have read in A Matter of Life or Death, explain your reaction to Victor
Frankls quote: But what about human liberty? Is there no spiritual freedom in regard to behavior and reaction
to any given surroundings? Most important, do the prisoners reactions to the singular world of the
concentration camp prove that man cannot escape the influences of his surroundings? Does man have no choice
of action in the face of such circumstances?
Assertion (Topic Sentence) Evidence (Says-quotes) Talking Points/Matters

The quote is questioning A terrible word began The Jews were put into concentration
about a humans freedom, are to circulate soon camp, which killed 6 million Jews, yet we
we really free? thereafter: selection, say that every human being is free to make
(Wiesel 11-12) his own decision. But in this circumstance,
they are forced and given no free will.

2. Words have a major impact on the individual. The power of words can both hinder and motivate individuals
to react or commit to certain ideological principles. Explain your thoughts and use textual evidence to explain.
Assertion Evidence Talking Points/Matters

It's not the actions that are And I had a working When Rusesabagina rescued over two
going to resolve anything, but telephone and I had my hundred refugees, he did it by
the words. tongue, (Rusesabagina smooth-talking himself out of situations.
67-68) THis is one of the examples that show
words can go farther than actions

3. Selfish or not? By providing textual evidence explain your reactions to the concept of if ones personal
survival over the lives of others is considered selfish or not.

Assertion Evidence Talking Points/Matters

Choosing to save oneself than Could she really have
to attempt to rescue isnt saved the others?
selfish Probably not, and
certainly not from the
back of the plane,
(Wallace 55-56)
The woman that survived a plane crash
because she jumped out of it while
everyone was in shock. Even if she stayed
and helped, she possibly couldnt have save
anyone and also die in the crash.
Name: Tung Tran Period: 1 Date: 5/1/17

4. Elie Wiesel explains his view on oppression with: We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor,
never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When
human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become
irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that
place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe. Explain your reaction to Wiesels view and
support your reasoning with examples for this collection.
Assertion Evidence Talking Points/Matters

Going into the rescue to save ...most of the people Police and firefighters do this all the time,
someone is selfless, but also who perform such but those who are trained or have the
stupid impulses rescues that equipment are risking their life in order to
they didnt really think, save another person. Doing this can
(Wallace 86-88) instead make them another victim for the
professionals to rescue.

5. Explain how motivation plays an important role in encouraging a reaction from the individual. Based
on our study and personal experiences, what have you learned about motivation.
Assertion Evidence Talking Points/Matters

Motivation helps oneself to Ralston had a dream. He Ralston dreamed of having a family to
believe to continue pushing saw himself as a father, belong in society. He is one of the many
and survive. picking up his son, and examples that helps show us that in order
with that vision, and to survive, an individual that motivate
overpowering will to him/herself to continue living.
survive kicked in. He
broke his arm, bones,
sawed through his flesh
with a dull pocket knife
and freed himself,
(Crash Course, 0:27-0:40)

6. Question: How is survival essential to a human being?

Survival has helped human evolve and create things to fit human needs. When humans were still hunter
and gathers, food supply was limited and there was a small population. In the time of humankind
survival, an innovative thinker thought instead of gathering crops and hunting for mobile food, they could
just grow their own crops and domesticate the animals, breed them, then eat it. The Neolithic way
(described above) shows how humans need to survive and thought of a different and easier way to live.
Name: Tung Tran Period: 1 Date: 5/1/17