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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

Man does not have a choice in Are there any miracles This quote means for those in the
such a dangerous place to say left in the world concentration camps they had no
something or escape. motivation to escape.

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

I believe that words can
impact somebody because
based on what people say, that
could be the motivation to do
something.
A man was stuck in a This shows that one persons words have
cliff for 5 says. He ran the power to motivate an individual.
out of food and water
and had a dream of his
kid and that motivated
him to cut his arm free.

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

I dont think that survival is She climbed over This shows that the woman had a natural
selfish because in life or death people who were too in instinct to get herself out of the situation so
situations it is a natural shock to move and she wouldnt die.
instinct to save ourselves. jumped out of the
plane.
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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

Humans are never going to During The holocaust This shows that no matter what, at some
agree with one another Jews were being point in time there will be a conflict
because has a different executed for being between people.
perspective. jewish.

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 can either trigger
and positive or negative
response.
Later that night he had a This shows that the dream had a positive
dream of him holding his influence in motivation on him so that he
kid and it motivated him did whatever was necessary to get himself
to cut his arm so he could free.
get free.

6.
Question: If faced with a life or death situation, do you think it would be your natural instinct to save

yourself or a random stranger? Does this make you a bad person?

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