* Write a paper on only one of the following prompts. You must follow all instructions.
Prompt 1
Many of us believe that the world—including what we discover in it—is real. If we are mistaken, then much of what we regard as real is not real: among other things, our bodies, our suffering, and our actions. According to two of three important metaphysical views in Indian philosophy that I discussed during lecture, the views of vishistadvaita and dvaita, we are not mistaken. However, these views are believed to face a problem. During lecture, I presented what I call the “No Real Change Argument” (NRCA) in support of the conclusion that no change of the world is real. If it succeeds, it poses a serious problem for vishistadvaita and dvaita. Does the NRCA succeed? Explain why it does, or explain why it does not.
Prompt 2
According to Upanishadic philosophers, Brahman is beyond nature. In lecture, I explained their argument, the “Brahman is Beyond Nature Argument” (BBNA). It involves the claim that everything within the limits of nature either makes sounds, has form, is perceptible by touch, etc. However, it is not clear that this claim is true. Gravity is one thing that might pose a problem for the argument, if it can serve as a counterexample to the claim mentioned. Does the argument face a problem due to a counterexample?
Basic Instructions for Paper on the NRCA
Write a paper in which you complete one (and only one) of the following two tasks:
(i) After presenting the NRCA, explain why it succeeds;
(ii) After presenting the NRCA, explain why it fails.
Note: If you choose to complete task (i), explain the support for premise 4 or the support for premise 5 of the NRCA, and then explain why there is a problem facing vishistadvaita and dvaita. If you choose to complete task (ii), explain and criticize the support for premise 4 of the NRCA, or explain and criticize the support for premise 5 of the NRCA.
Give the paper an interesting title.
Ensure that the paper is of no more than 5 double-spaced pages, with reasonable margins and a reasonable font size (1 in. margins, 12 pt. font).
Submit your paper by uploading a file (.doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt., or .rft) through Canvas by: Mon., Apr. 29.
Basic Instructions for Paper on the Limits of Nature
Write a paper in which you complete one (and only one) of the following two tasks:
(i) After presenting the BBNA, explain why it succeeds;
(ii) After presenting the BBNA, explain why it fails.
Note: To adequately complete either of these tasks, you’ll have to explain why it is plausible that there is a counterexample to the claim that everything within the limits of nature either makes sounds, has form, is perceptible by touch etc. Then, you’ll have to present an argument that is supposed to show the BBNA to be unsound. If you choose to complete task (i), you’ll also have to explain why the argument you presented fails. If, instead, you choose to complete task (ii), you’ll have to present and defend against an objection to that argument.
Give the paper an interesting title.
Ensure that the paper is of no more than 5 double-spaced pages, with reasonable margins and a reasonable font size (1 in. margins, 12 pt. font).
