This first assignment asks you to engage with the texts we have read by posing and responding to your own question(s). Take one or more of the readings from weeks 1, 2 or 3, and construct a question or several questions that you would like to pose to the reading(s). State the question(s) and first determine how the author(s) would respond and then present your own responses to the question(s). Your own responses may be expository, critical (positive or negative), speculative (describing how the question provokes your own thinking), or a combination of these.
Structure your paper as follows:
Introduction: set up your topic by stating the questions you wish to pose to the texts.
Body: develop your responses in a thoughtful manner. I suggest following the order of
your questions unless you have good reason to do otherwise. In general, determine the
philosopher’s or philosophers’ responses, and then give your own.
Conclusion: end by critically summarizing or bringing together your insights.
