TERM PAPER TOPICS
Before we get into Module 3, I want to offer the three term paper topics. You should select just one of them. There is a submission page at the very end of Module 3. There’s a shortened sample term paper on the next page. It’s not a perfect term paper, but lots of students find the approach helpful for getting started.
See the syllabus for my policy on plagiarism. You do not get another chance if you cheat. You get a zero and I enter your name into our institutional tracking system. Period.
Select just one topic.
1.
Visit the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy found here (Links to an external site.). Pick one of the arguments from section 3 and present it. Then, determine what James Rachels and Ray Prebble might say about it. Which argument do you think better lives up to the standards of philosophy? (You may also want to look at further discussion of moral relativism found here (Links to an external site.).)
Cite all the texts you employ. This is a 4 to 5 page paper, though you
may certainly write more. In offering your own judgment and defense,
use course concepts.
Grading Rubric 1. Does this paper identify have a clear thesis? (5%)
2. Does this paper contain only relevant information? Are the
citations completed properly? (5%) 3. Does the paper attribute the
correct view to the philosophers in question? (10%) 4. Is/are the
philosopher’s view presented with the appropriate level of detail?
(For example, does the author explain concepts and arguments in a
tight manner, or are the arguments and concepts merely sketched?)
(25%) 5. Does the author present a clear argument in his/her
discussion? (15%) 6. Does the paper cohere? Or, is the paper a
hodgepodge of disparate ideas? (10%) 7. Does the conclusion tie
together the different phases of the paper? Or, is the conclusion a
non-sequitur? (5%) 8. Are the spelling, grammar and syntax on the
college level? (5%) 9. Does the author make appropriate and accurate
use of course concepts in constructing his or her discussion? (20%)
Intangibles: Is the paper on the assigned topic? Is it the author’s
own work?
2. Suppose someone argues for skepticism like this: People have
different beliefs. People disagree about how old the world is; whether
there is life on other planets; and even whether Bigfoot exists. So
there’s really no truth about how old the world is; whether there’s
life on other planets; or even whether Bigfoot exists.
Use the relevant course readings to evaluate the force of this
argument. (You should be able to determine which are relevant.) Is
this argument for skepticism a good one? What does your judgment with
respect to that last question mean for belief in skepticism based on
arguments like the one I just presented? Should we form beliefs based
on arguments like this?
This is a 4 to 5 page paper, though you may certainly write more than
that. Cite the text to support your claims. Write the paper is if it
were a college paper. See the rubric for guidance.
3.Suppose someone tries to show that we should believe God exists like this: Any proposition is either true or false. Thus, there is a 50% chance that any proposition is true. Since “God exists” is a proposition, there is at least a 50% chance that God exists. If there’s a 50% chance that God exists, it makes sense to believe that he does. Thus, we should believe that God exists.
Put this argument in your paper. Then, explain whether it lives up to the standards of philosophy. If you say it does, explain why. If you say it does not, explain why.
This is a 4 to 5 page paper, though you may certainly write more than
that. Cite the text to support your claims. Write the paper is if it
were a college paper. See the rubric for guidance
Rubric
Grading Rubric
1. Does this paper identify have a clear thesis? (5%)
2. Does this paper contain only relevant information? Are the citations completed properly? (5%)
3. Does the paper attribute the correct view to the philosophers in question? (10%)
4. Is/are the philosopher’s view presented with the appropriate level of detail?
(For example, does the author explain concepts and arguments in a tight manner, or are the arguments and concepts merely sketched?)
(25%)
5. Does the author present a clear argument in his/her discussion? (15%)
6. Does the paper cohere? Or, is the paper a hodgepodge of disparate ideas? (10%)
7. Does the conclusion tie together the different phases of the paper? Or, is the conclusion a
non-sequitur? (5%)
8. Are the spelling, grammar and syntax on the college level? (5%)
9. Does the author make appropriate and accurate use of course concepts in constructing his or her discussion? (20%) Intangibles: Is the paper on the assigned topic? Is it the author’s own work?
