Select one of the following paper topic options and write a critical paper:
Topic 1
Does Frank Jackson’s Knowledge Argument against physicalism succeed? If you think it does, explain why and defend the argument’s soundness from what you take to be the most serious challenge to it. If you think it doesn’t, explain why and defend your objection against what you take to be the most serious response to it.
Topic 2
In his article “Can We Solve the Mind-Body Problem?” Colin McGinn argues for mysterianism, the view that even though there is a physicalist solution to the mind-body problem, we will never know it because we are incapable of understanding it. Is McGinn right about this? Defend your answer.
Note: You may choose which aspect of McGinn’s thinking to focus on: the truth/falsity of mysterianism itself, the soundness/unsoundness of his argument for mysterianism, or both. Whatever you choose, though, you should have something to say about the general question raised by McGinn’s discussion: to what extent are our human cognitive capacities up to the task of understanding the world? Could it be that certain deep and important questions are just completely beyond our abilities to answer?
Regardless of which topic you choose, make sure to define all technical terms. You should fully cite any material you draw on in writing your paper, including material that is on the course syllabus. (But try to limit the sources you cite. This should be a critical paper, not a book report.) You may choose which citation system to use provided you are consistent. (APA is a good choice.)
Details
Your paper should be approximately 1,500 words long. Note new word count! (Going a bit over the limit is fine, but please do not overdo it.) Papers must have one-inch margins. Use a 12-point font, double-space, and number your pages. Since your paper will be graded anonymously, please do not include your name or any identifying information. Simply include your student ID number at the top of the first page. Late work will be penalized 3% per day of lateness. Late work submitted less than 24 hours after the deadline will count as one day late; late work submitted more than 24 hours after the deadline but less than 48 hours will count as two days late; and so on.
Please choose one of the topics to write about.
