Microsoft Word - IntroPhilPaperTopicsOutline.docx
Intro. to Philosophy
Paper Outline Instructions
(over)
Due on Blackboard. The link is in the "Assignments" folder. See Bb for specific time and
date.
The following is a description of the final paper you will be writing for this class. You have a
choice of three general topics, and you can choose defend any one of several different views
under each topic. Your first task in writing this paper will be to develop an outline of your
argument. Your outline will need to include the following:
1) A strong thesis statement (i.e. the conclusion to your argument);
2) a list of your argument's premises in the order you intend to present them;
3) an objection to your argument (you will need to provide some explanation for it make sense);
4) the reply you intend to use to overcome the objection (again, some explanation will be
needed).
Your grade will depend on the quality of the outline you turn in, which demonstrates the level of
understanding you have of philosophical argumentation in general and the knowledge you have
of the specific content you will be defending.
Here is a description of the final paper assignment:
You are to write a four page XXXXXXXXXXword) argument paper. The full range of possible
topics can be found below. You may argue for any side of the debate. The paper has several
equirements: 1) it needs to have a clear thesis which will serve as the conclusion to your
argument (i.e. it answers one of the questions below and provides a main reason to think your
view is co
ect). 2) This thesis will need to come near the beginning of your paper, preferably at
the end of the opening paragraph. 3) Your paper will need to have several clear premises that are
meant to directly support the conclusion. 4) You will need to consider a strong objection to your
own argument. 5) You will need to convincingly respond to this objection. Note: Remember
that a premise and a conclusion need to be statements (sentences that can either be true or false).
Your premises can be supported by individual facts, but the premise itself cannot be an
individual fact--- it must be a claim. This draft will be graded on the above criteria and the
technical aspects of paper writing.
Here are the topics:
1) What is the best view for overcoming the problem of epistemological skepticism? Is
Rationalism, Empiricism, or some other option the best choice? (Explain and defend one
of the views concerning how we gain knowledge.)
2) What is your mind? Is it separate from your
ain? (Argue for one of the views
presented in the philosophy of mind section.)
3) Do you have free will? (Argue for one of the views in the Free Will debate)
Your thesis will serve as answer to one of the above questions. Your goal is to simply give an
argument that supports your thesis (conclusion); offer an objection to your argument, and then
espond to that objection. You should make use of the textbook and arguments presented in
class. You may use the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: http:
plato.stanford.edu/ Please
emember to properly cite sources!
Links in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
Philosophy of Mind
Functionalism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/functionalism/
Dualism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism/
Physicalism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/physicalism/
Problems of Mental Causation: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/mental-causation
Free Will
In general: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/freewill/
Compatibilism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/compatibilism/
Libertarianism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/incompatibilism-theories/
Determinism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/determinism-causal
Epistemology
Rationalism vs. Empiricism: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries
ationalism-empiricism/
Kant: http:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant/ (especially sections 3 and 4)
Here is an example outline: The topic is on the problem of evil [you cannot choose this topic].
Thesis: I will argue that the problem of evil leads to the inevitable conclusion that God does not
exist.
Premise 1: God is all powerful, all knowing and all good by definition.
Premise 2: Evil exists
Premise 3: The existence of evil is incompatible with the definition of God.
Therefore, God does not exist.
Objection: Humans have been given free will by God which would, under certain circumstances,
allow both God and evil to exist.
Reply: The free will defense does not get God out of the problem. There is still a serious problem
ecause God needs to explain why He created beings with free will in the first place. Without that
explanation God is still culpable for the existence of evil; and thus, the original logical contradiction
emains.
Here is another example on another topic: Ontological argument [you also cannot choose this topic].
Thesis: I will argue that the ontological argument convincingly proves that God does exist.
Premise 1: God exists only in the mind. (Assumption)
Premise 2: God is a being which no greater being can be conceived.
Premise 3: I can conceive of God in my mind (all knowing, all powerful, all good).
Premise 4: A greater being can still be conceived---namely, a being like God but that actually exists.
Premise 5: The second and fourth premises contradict one another.
Thus, the first premise must be necessarily false and its opposite true. (RAA)
Therefore, God exists in reality.
Objection: Existence cannot be used as a predicate, like “red” or “heavy”. We do not speak this way
in English and when we speak we seem to assume the thing we are refe
ing to already exists. If
existence cannot be used as a predicate, then the argument does not seem to work.
Reply: We speak about fictional characters all the time and make true statements about them
without assuming their existence. Everyone knows that “Dexter” is just a character on a fictitious
television show, but he has characteristics we can accurately or inaccurately describe even if he does
not truly exist. So it seems clear that we do apply existence as a predicate to things we think actually
do exist and withhold it from things we do not think exist in reality.