It is fine to use outside sources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (see the “Helpful Links” tab on the homepage) when studying philosophers, but when you write your papers don’t directly use material from any source. Close all your books, put them away, and write your essay. Do not quote from sources in your essay. I can tell if you are rewriting a passage, lifting a passage, using something from another source. I want your words, not the words of somebody else. The more you write on your own, without sources, the quicker you will find your own voice and think more critically about the material you study. I would rather get a paper where you are working it out, struggling, than a smooth paper with canned quotes.
Introduction to Philosophy – First Essay Topics (choose one):
Explain the trial of Socrates. How does Socrates go about defending himself? What are the main ideas presented by Socrates? What reasons are there to say whether these ideas are credible or not?
Explain Descartes’ argument from doubt? What is he trying to prove? Is he successful? Why or why not? How have critics responded to Descartes’ argument? How successful are those criticisms?
What is rational skepticism? What is the essential tension between skepticism & credulity? Assess the credibility of the following: (1) the existence of ghosts, (2) the “Hundredth-Monkey” phenomenon, and (3) a “weird” belief of your own choosing.
Discuss the argument in favor of hard determinism. What are the objections to each premise? Which theory, if any, best explains the problem of free will and determinism?
What are the main theories of the self? What is the best explanation of personal identity? Is there such a thing as the self?
