TOPIC:
Discuss and explain fully and clearly the distinction between sentience and sapience. Does De Waal address the distinction in general or does he address only the evolutionary importance of sentience to both humans and animals for morality? Include in your account whether or not Kant’s conception of enlightenment expands and enhances sapience or sentience. What are Kant’s reasons for siding with one over the other? Would Hume’s philosophy be an enhancement of sapience or sentience? What are his reasons for siding with one over the other? Would Kant’s and Hume’s position be similar or dissimilar to De Waal’s? Why or why not?
INSTRUCTIONS:
Keep your paper to no less than 5 and no more than 6 typed double-spaced pages in length with top/bottom and left/right margins of exactly one inch in an 11-point font. Be aware that this paper is a way for you to think through the cogency of the distinction between sapience and sentience. You are not expected to give the final answer to the topic or even a new answer. Rather you are expected to give a good answer, which is always cogent, thoughtful, sufficiently focussed, and expressed with clarity. There is no need for you to make recourse to secondary sources to write this essay.
Grading Policy:
Regarding essays, there are certain regular features of an essay or synopsis which lead to certain grades. Be mindful that in this class the essay is written in response to topics or questions, and topics or questions need to be thought about carefully if they are to be answered thoughtfully Understanding the question or topic and coming up with an answer are products of thought. So the two fundamental criteria by which I evaluate and grade an essay/synopsis are (a) the organization and clarity of the argument and (b) the thought that went into the argument.
So an “A” essay is very clear, well organized, and well argued. It is on point and well-developed. It defines crucial terms, considers possible objections to its position, and is aware of alternative positions. Its presentation is thoughtful and imaginative, and it recognizes the complexity of the topic posed yet still provides an unambiguous response to it.
A “B” essay is clear, but is not wholly well organized. It is a little less on point and a little less well-developed. It is coherent. But it leaves some crucial terms undefined, and it may overlook or ignore some pertinent views. It is not as imaginative as it could be, and it may be somewhat ambiguous in response to the complexity of the topic.
