Argument paper

  GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAPER: You are expected to show an understanding of the concepts and issues involved. Assume the person who will read and evaluate your paper is a complete novice about the subject. In order for him to understand what you have written, you will have to assume that he has knowledge of very little, and explain everything that needs to be explained. Make sure you re-read your paper several times with this in mind, and ask yourself whether you've said enough to make it understandable to one who hasn't taken this course. It would be a good idea to check this by finishing a version of your paper, and then putting it away for a while before reading it over again to see if the explanation is complete enough. You may have to do this several times. So, do not put this assignment off until the night before it is due. THE ASSIGNMENT: Choose ONE of the following topics: the Teleological Argument (which is also called The Design Argument; see Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 and the Hume reading) or the Argument from Evil (see Chapter 11) or Descartes' Arguments for the distinction between mind and body (see Chapter 19 and the Descartes readings). Discuss the reasoning involved, making sure you do the following: 1. describe the argument, or the reasoning behind the view, in detail, making sure you get the essential points. Explain the reasoning of the argument. Keep in mind that the reasoning is not necessarily obvious and that you probably did not understand the argument as initially stated. 2. say exactly what the argument is an argument for, and what position it is used to support (or to attack) and describe that position. 3. describe in detail any problems or difficulties the argument or view has. Make sure you say enough to make it clear what the problem is and why it is a problem. In trying to locate a problem for the argument, you might focus on what someone holding an opposing view might say in response to it. If you think there is a way of overcoming the problem, describe it. 4. display a familiarity with the relevant issues dealt with in the readings we covered for the topic you choose. LENGTH: The body of text should be 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages. It MUST be in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx) in order for you to receive credit. Do not count your citations as part of the body. You must cite any resources you use, specifying enough detail so I can locate the source. BOOK: Sober, Elliott. Core questions in philosophy: a text with readings. 6th ed., Pearson Education, 2013.