Assignment Content
Philosophy of Human Nature Analysis Paper 2
This is 2-3 page, double spaced paper (no more than 750 words). The purpose of this paper is to develop your ability to analyze and paraphrase a philosophical text and respond to it critically. 2/3 of your paper should engage in analyzing the argument, the final 1/3 should be used to reflect critically on the material. Essays should be clear, cogent, and well-structured. Grades will be based on the following criteria: the essay’s ability to demonstrate an understanding of a text, the use of the text to support the essay’s claims, a critical and philosophical engagement with the material, and the essay’s overall clarity, cogency, and organization.
Formatting and Citation:
All papers should be formatted using 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double spaced, 1-inch margins. You must cite not only quotations, but also all claims that you make about the text. (Yes, this means that you may end up having a citation at the end of every sentence in the first 2/3 of your essay!) You need not use full citations. Instead, cite either page numbers (p. 32) or, if writing on Plato, Stephanus numbers (46d). Since you will only be using one text, you do not need to include a bibliography or works cited at the end. You should not use any outside sources for this paper. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Submitting your work:
All papers must be submitted through SafeAssign prior 8:00 am on the day that they are due. Students must also turn in a printed version during class.
Late papers:
Late papers will be accepted, however, students will lose one third of a letter grade for every day the paper is late beginning immediately after the due date (and including weekends). This late policy will be strictly enforced. If you have a legitimate reason for needing an extension for a paper please email me to request an extension at least 48 hours prior to the due date.
Additional help with papers:
Students are encouraged to meet with me during office hours to discuss their papers and/or visit the Fordham writing center. More information regarding the writing center can be found by visiting: https://www.fordham.edu/info/20126/writing_center
Plagiarism:
Presenting materials that are not your own as your work constitutes plagiarism. This include artificially texts generated by AI programs such as ChatGPT or the integrated AI feature built into programs like Grammarly. Additionally, any outside sources used in your work must be cited. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. Offenders will be reported, will receive a zero for the assignment, and potentially fail the course. If you are uncertain whether something constitutes plagiarism please email me or meet with me to discuss.
General Writing Tips:
Imagine that your intended audience (reader) is an intelligent undergraduate (such as yourself!).Don’t assume that your reader will just know what you mean. Explain your thoughts and define your terms.
If you use a quote always explain what you take that quote to mean.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the material before you begin criticizing.
Avoid phrases such as “I think,” “I believe,” “In my opinion,” or “I feel.” These are implied by the fact that you are the author of the paper and only serve to make your writing seem weak and noncommittal. (Note: this does not mean that you cannot use “I”)
Avoid adverbs(especially ‘very’). Adverbs not only distract from the content of your writing without adding anything, they are often used to sneak in claims that you have not explained/argued for.
Each sentence should contain a single thought. Paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence and begin with an indentation. Paragraphs should contain 4-9sentences.
Your essay should begin with an introductory paragraph that ends with a thesis.Your thesis should take the form: I argue that __________ because _______. In the final paragraph of your essay you should return to your thesis and briefly recap for your reader how you have argued for it.
You should not submit a first draft. Edit and revise your work. Workshop it with peers. Spell check it! Read it out loud to yourself to make sure that it makes sense.
Analysis Paper Topics
All of these paper topics will require that you reread and carefully analyze one of the texts
Choose one of the following topics:
In Meditation II Descartes finds a first principle upon which he can build his philosophical system. What is this first principle? Why is it true? Is it an argument or is it simply an indubitable self-evident truth? Why? Provide one counterargument or identify one assumption that Descartes makes in his first principle.
Descartes provides two arguments for God: the cosmological argument found in Mediation III and the ontological argument found in Meditation V. Choose one of these arguments and explain it thoroughly. Then provide one counter argument to Descartes. Remember, focus your counterargument on the argument itself, not on the conclusion. You may agree with the conclusion, but still reject the argument. If you do still accept the conclusion try to provide a way to corrector improve upon Descartes’ argument.
In Mediation IV Descartes offers a vindication of God. Explain Descartes’ argument for why we make errors and why God is not responsible. Offer a counterargument then attempt to respond to your counterargument on Descartes’ behalf.
According to Descartes what is the essence of material things (Meditation V)? How can we be certain that material things exist (Meditation VI)? Carefully explain Descartes’ argument then raise a potential counterargument. How can one respond to this counterargument?
Provide one of the arguments that Descartes gives for the body and mind being distinct substances. Is this argument sound? Provide a challenge to this argument and then respond to the challenge that you posed.
Elisabeth of Bohemia raises an important critique regarding the interaction of body and mind in Descartes’ philosophy. Explain this critique in detail. Then respond to this problem by providing one way we can account for the interaction of body and mind. Your response must explain how these substances interact with an argument for your position.
What does Hume mean when he says there is no self? What is his argument for this claim? How does he support this argument? How does Hume explain why we think there is a self? Briefly explain Hume’s bundle theory. Offer an argument either critiquing Hume’s argument that there is no self or pose a challenge to his bundle theory.
According to Kant, what is enlightenment? Respond critically to Kant’s argument.
Explain Hegel’s master/slave dialectic.
What does Marx mean by ‘alienation’? In what ways are we alienated in the modern world? How does Marx support his claim? Does this concept still apply today? Offer a challenge to Marx’s view and then attempt to respond to that challenge.
Your choice of topic. This must be approved by the instructor in advance.
I could send you pdf or images of these readings
