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 I will place somewhat greater emphasis than in previous papers on your thinking about the issue. And you should, therefore, choose a topic that allows you to bring in your thinking. There are various ways that can happen—even an exposition of material you’ve read can display your thinking if the point of view from which you present is significantly different from what a reader might find in the source—but the easiest way to bring in your thinking is to evaluate the ideas you have presented. (On the other hand, if the paper is largely a presentation of your own ideas, there are a number of ways you can incorporate some exposition; the easiest may be to use a discussion of material you have read to introduce the issue you will address.)
Perhaps I should also 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.
I prefer to have assignments submitted as e-mail attachments (my address is helmang@wabash.edu), but I will be happy to accept them on paper if that is more convenient for you.