Write an essay (of roughly 6-8 pp. or 1800-2400 words) on an issue relevant to something you’ve read in this course. You should
(i) explain the issue and
(ii) present and defend a position concerning it.
In doing this, you should
(a) discuss in some detail a portion of a selection read in the course and
(b) consider at least one objection to the view you defend.
The position you defend may be one you hold, but it need not be, and your exposition of the selection may serve you in any of several ways—e.g., to help set up the issue you will discuss, to help present the position you wish to defend, or to provide an objection to it.
The reading guides suggest some issues to which particular texts are relevant, but there are many more that aren’t mentioned. Our class discussions will have suggested some further connections, but don’t hesitate to seek my help in formulating an issue or locating a relevant selection.
This paper will, like the previous papers, serve as a way for me to evaluate both your understanding of the material we’ve read and the depth of your thinking about a philosophical issue but it differs from previous papers in placing greater emphasis on your thinking about the issue than on your understanding of what you’ve read. And you should plan what you write accordingly. For example, you should not devote the bulk of the paper to an exposition of things you’ve read; however, you must devote some of the paper to this and a substantial part of the paper could be devoted to it.
Perhaps I should emphasize two things I consider in evaluating papers that are more likely to be an issue on this paper than on previous ones. First, a variety of considerations in favor of the position you defend will count for less than a deeper consideration of a few or even just one. Also, be careful to give a fair and accurate account of the selection you consider even if it presents an objection to the position you defend.
As always, I’ll be happy to accept your essay on paper, but I encourage you to submit it electronically by e-mail (either as an attachment or, if there is no special formatting, in the body of a message) or by using the drop box on the Blackboard site for the course.