The FYP Theme: 2006-2007

"With so many claims of what's good and true, how then shall we live?

Each year the FYP theme, which incorporates Tolstoy's question, provides a context for our inquiry into the nature of the individual and of society. In this tradition, the theme for this year's FYP is: With so many claims of what's good and true, how then shall we live?

When we think of truth today, the first thing we think of is often scientific truth or truth as opposed to lies.  But these are neither the only truths nor necessarily the most basic truths.  People also speak of religious truths, political truths, cultural truths, moral truths, and the truth of revelation.  Just as the question of absolute truth versus relative truths presents itself to us today, the question of absolute good versus relative or private goods is also a modern concern.  Are the true and the good just philosophical ideas or are they something more?  Are the good and the true separate entities or are they related?  How does one know if one's life is focused on the good?  How does suffering relate to the good?  How have these questions been dealt with in literature and art over the centuries?  During the coming academic year, we in the FYP will be exploring these and related issues in the FYP courses, the common readings, and the co-curricular events.