This assignment is worth 22 points — a substantial portion of your final grade. While there is no set length, I think one would probably need several pages altogether to do the questions justice. Attend to all parts of the question and give a thorough account, explaining the respective positions. You will also want to argue for one approach over another, offering reasons that would appeal to the fair-minded or neutral reader, one interested solely in learning the truth.
Can we ultimately explain all mental events by way of physical phenomena?
With reference to Descartes on doubt and dualism, show how how he will answer this question.
How will Ryle answer? Be sure to discuss his account of category mistakes and his logical behaviorism.
Explore Jackson’s Mary example and talk about how Jackson will respond.
Do you believe we can ultimately explain mental events by an appeal to physical phenomena? Or will such explanations always fall short, leaving something out? Which of the thinkers above makes the best case? Why?
Elaborate at length.
Grading Criteria for the essay are as follows:
A strong essay will lay out the respective positions in clear and detailed terms, emphasize the strengths and weaknesses of each, and offer convincing reasons to show why one approach is superior to the other. The accounts should display a ready and thorough knowledge of course material. (20-22 points).
An adequate essay will set forth the main outline of the respective positions, though some detail may be lacking and the accounts may not always be clear. The reasons given for supporting one approach over another, while relevant, may not prove compelling. (16-19 points)
An inadequate essay will confuse the positions involved or fail to articulate their key elements; the language may exhibit a poor grasp of the central points of contention. The account might well convey an insufficient understanding of course material or prove otherwise unclear, and the reasons offered in favor of one approach over another will mischaracterize essential philosophical paradigms. (15 points and below).
