Choose one of topics that we skipped over in the book since midterms (complete list of options is at the end of these guidelines). Youre going to summarize both essays on that topic, and then engage with the arguments/ideas/opinions/beliefs/evidence/etc.

Intro to Philosophy Final Paper Guidelines
2-3 pages, double-spaced
100 points

Choose one of topics that we skipped over in the book since midterms (complete list of options is at the end of these guidelines). Youre going to summarize both essays on that topic, and then engage with the arguments/ideas/opinions/beliefs/evidence/etc.

Each topic/section contains a couple of introductory paragraphs on a couple different philosophers (or other thinkers relevant to the topic being discussed). You do not need to summarize these, or include them in your paper, but you can certainly talk about them if youd like to! Instead, focus on the two essays being presented to represent both sides of the issue.

Start your paper by summarizing both essays in your section. You dont need an introduction or attention-grabber or any other creative writing kinds of things. This paper is short so use your space wisely and keep your focus on the essays. Be sure to explain the essays in your own words, please dont quote or copy directly from the textbook (or anywhere else). A big part of this assignment is to demonstrate that you understand what these viewpoints are arguing, and to be able to explain it on your own. Depending on how concisely you write, it will probably take you 1-1 pages to summarize both essays.

After your summary, I want you to do something else to discuss the viewpoints and contribute your own thoughts/ideas/perspective. You can tell me which you agree with (and why), you can disagree with both (and explain why), you can agree with the conclusion but criticize the argument presented in favor of it, you can introduce an argument/evidence/reasons that are better than the ones offered to support one/both of the viewpoints, you can connect this back to a bigger concern/issue, you can discuss the pros and cons of both sides, you can compare and contrast the viewpoints, etc.

I want you to use the second half of your paper to interact with your topic and offer something more to the conversation. It is up to you how you want to go about doing this. Be sure you are at least connecting it back to the arguments in your essays. What I dont want you to do is to summarize the arguments from each essay and then immediately ignore them completely and give me your own argument (never looking back to the original essays). If you want to offer a better argument for that viewpoint, be sure to take the time to bring it back and explain why your argument is stronger than the one presented.

I strongly recommend NOT using any outside sources for this assignment, but if you are going to bring something in (like maybe a statistic, example, piece of relevant information, etc.) be sure to cite it properly to avoid plagiarizing. You can use whatever citation method youre comfortable with (APA, MLA, etc.), as long as youre consistent. Remember that any instance of plagiarism results in an automatic F for this course, and you will NOT be able to make up any assignments.

The week before Finals is set aside to work on this paper, and youll have the opportunity to meet with me for direct help or to participate in a peer review of a rough draft/outline. Either way, if you at least have a plan in place that week (May 3rd and May 5th), youll have the greatest chance of making sure your paper is the best it can be.

I recommend looking over your choice of essays in the near future (the list is below and you can learn more about them by glancing through those sections of the book). Youll want to choose your topic before you are anywhere near ready to sit down and start writing the thing, so dont procrastinate on the decision-making process. If you are torn between multiple topics, read through the essays to see what arguments you feel more comfortable explaining/discussing. Many of these are related to things weve already talked about, so that could be an easy choice if you enjoyed that reading/class discussion.

I am here to help with whatever you need! Feel free to email me with questions or confusion about this anytime!

List of options for your paper

4.2 Is Society Based On A Contract?
Contractor vs Organicist
Pages 292-304

4.3 Is Liberty The Highest Social Value?
Libertarian vs Paternalist
Pages 306-319

5.4 Are We Responsible For Our Actions?
Excuser vs Judge
Pages 404-415

5.5 Can Computers Think?
Mechanist vs Mentalist
Pages 417-429

5.6 Are The Differences Between Men and Women Philosophically Significant?
Unifier vs Complementer
Pages 431-442

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