These are the instructions for my paper:
Rousseau on the state of nature. Explain Rousseau’s claim that moral inequality is
unnatural. Then present ONE of his arguments for the claim that the state of nature is
better for the human being (options include: the argument from the purity of our emotions
and the argument from the acquired social meaning of our actions). Does the argument
work? Why or why not? Your assessment can – but need not – include discussion of
whether romantic love is similar in kind to the indiscriminate desire to procreate, or
whether a communitarian conception of the human good is adequate.
Please read all the instructions provided attentively:
– Please choose the argument from the purity of our emotions as the argument for the claim that the state of nature is better for the human being, and, thus, include a discussion of whether romantic love is similar in kind to the indiscriminate desire to procreate.
– The Format: we receive five extra credit points if we write the paper in a non-traditional format. Because of this I write the essays for my class as a conversation between two people (usually “Dominic” and “Ryan”)
– The essay usually has to be 4-5 pages, but because this is going to be conversation style it can exceed the limit and occupy around 3/4 of a 6th page. The format makes the assay naturally lengthier.
– Below I am going to provide you with a PDF guide to this whole question written by my professor. This will also include some quotations. Since you will have to use evidence (quotations and citations), do not only use the quotations that the guide provides, but also use the ones that the actual source (reading) provides.
– This paper has to be rich in philosophical content. So also draw from real life scenarios do further the discussion of concepts that Rousseau discusses. However, do draw heavily from the readings too (quotations and citations) do demonstrate a thorough reading process. Look at the essay example I will provide below (I have written this for the same class at the beginning of the quarter)
Material that I will provide you with
– The source/reading
– My professor’s guide to this specific topic
– One of the past essays written for this class. This one was also written in conversation style and should give you a better idea on how to write one and how I would write one.
