Author: Arnold Lobel
Plot Summary: When Owl goes for a walk one evening, the moon follows him home and won’t leave when Owl tells it to go home. But when the moon disappears behind a cloud, Owl misses it.
Posted In: Epistemology, Metaphysics

Discussion Questions

What is it to be alive? How can we tell if something is alive or not?

• It moves.
• It has a face.
• It eats.
• It sleeps.
• It talks.
• It grows.
• It dies.
• It feels.
• It thinks.
• It communicates.

Are the following alive? Why or why not?

• Rocks.
• Water.
• Cars.
• Bees.
• Toasters.
• Books.
• Light.
• Rain.
• Feelings.
• Animals.
• Movies.
• The sun.
• Trees.

What goes to sleep? Do the following things go to sleep, don’t go to sleep, or you don’t know?

• Grass.
• Light.
• The moon.
• A bear.
• A river.
• A fish.
• The rain.
• A tree.
• A door.
• A television.
• The world.

Knowledge and Belief

• Can the moon be looking at Owl? Why does Owl think so?
• Does Owl’s belief that the moon is looking back at him give us a reason to think this might be true? Why or why not?
• What makes something true?
• How could we find out if Owl’s belief that the moon is looking at him is true?