Introduction to Philosophy;Plato’s Apology

Plato’s Apology Write a critical, interpretative essay on Plato’s Apology. How does Socrates present himself in the? What do we learn about the Socratic Method? What does he have to say about the pursuit of wisdom? How do you respond to Socrates as a person? Descartes Summarize Descartes’ argument in the Second Meditation. What is the major challenge Descartes faces at the beginning of the Meditation? How does he overcome it? What conclusions does he draw by the end of the Meditation? You should develop your essay following the questions Descartes raises in the Meditation in the order that he raises them. How do Hume/Empiricism Summarize the key points of an Empiricist epistemology as introduced by Locke and developed by Hume. What key positions were introduced and defended by the empiricists? What criticisms have been brought against them? How do you evaluate empiricism as a philosophy? In particular, do you agree with the “blank slate” theory as put forward by Locke? Aristotle Summarize the key points of Aristotle’s ethics. You should discuss Aristotle’s understanding of happiness and virtue; and his argument that the practice of virtue involves locating a mean between extremes. Utilitarianism Summarize the key points of utilitarianism as developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. What criticisms have been brought against utilitarian ethics? Taking utilitarianism as a framework, evaluate a contemporary ethical issue. Kant’s Deontological Ethics Summarize the key steps in Kant’s development of his ethics. You discussion should include the good will, duty, autonomy, and the first and second forms of the categorical imperative. What criticisms have been brought against Kant? Taking Kant’s ethics as a framework, evaluate a contemporary ethical issue. Philosophy of Religion Summarize either two of Aquinas’ five ways or Paley’s argument from design. What arguments do Paley or Aquinas put forward? What criticisms have been brought against their arguments? How do you evaluate the success or failure of Paley or Aquinas? If you are discussing Paley’s argument, you might also research the challenge that the theory of evolution presents to the argument from design (see the discussion on pp. 358-359 of the text; also, Darwin, as a young person, was influenced by Paley’s writings). Eastern Thought Identify major authors and schools in the Confucian tradition and summarize key teachings. Briefly address the question of how Confucianism has survived in modern China. PHIL 2753 – Introduction to Philosophy Extra Credit Research Paper Topics Rubrics The Extra Credit Paper Topics count for 240 points, giving you the option to earn up to 40 extra credit points. To fulfill the requirement for extra credit, you must read the assigned primary source and incorporate your analysis of it into your paper. All the rubrics given above apply as well for a paper on the Extra Credit Topics. Prompts Plato’s Dialogues Write a critical, interpretative essay on either the Crito, or Phaedo. What are the key questions raised in the dialogue? Summarize the movement of the argument, the different positions presented and explored, as well as Socrates’ final position. How do you respond to the issues raised by the dialogue? Philosophy of Mind Write an essay on either dualism or functionalism as an approach to the problems raised in the philosophy of mind. For the approach you choose to study: What does it affirm about the nature of mind; what does it deny? How do you evaluate it? For both approaches, start with the relevant articles in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. For dualism, read either Plato’s dialogue Phaedo or Descartes’ Sixth Meditation. For functionalism, follow up with relevant current articles. Descartes Summarize Descartes’ argument for the existence of God in the Third Meditation. What criticisms have been brought against Descartes? In your judgment, can Descartes’ argument be defended against the criticisms? If so, on what grounds can it be done? If not, what critical arguments do you find decisive? Include a discussion of the objection that Descartes’ reasoning is circular, or “the Cartesian Circle”. In addition to the Third Meditation, you should read the article by Jean-Marie Beyssade, “The Idea of God and the Proofs of his Existence”, in The Cambridge Companion to Descartes, edited by John Cottingham. It is available in the library. David Hume Research and summarize David Hume’s, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. In the dialogue, what objections does Hume present against the argument from design? In your judgment, does Hume present a strong criticism of the argument? Aristotle Write a critical, interpretative essay on Aristotle’s discussion of either justice or friendship (not both). The discussion of justice is found in Book V of The Nichomachean Ethics, friendship in Book VII. What key distinctions and definitions does Aristotle introduce? How does he develop them? What conclusions does he reach? Do you see contemporary applications of Aristotle’s discussion of these subjects? John Stuart Mill Write an essay summarizing Chapter II of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill. What is Mill’s definition of utilitarianism? Explain his distinction between the quality and quantity of pleasure. Based on that distinction, what isthe “utilitarian standard of morality”? What objections does he consider? Do you believe Mill is successful in defining and defending utilitarianism?                                                                                                                              

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