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Paper Ideas

The following paper suggestions were designed to help you get started on the first paper.  You do not have to use one of the ideas below, but make sure your paper examines only one idea in a clear, concise manner.

Second Essay: this essay should be two pages in length. click on the essay/reading you would like to use for you paper to view the possible starting points. 

First Essay: click on the essay/reading you would like to use for you paper to view the possible starting points.  

Aristotle

Aristotle states that the only ultimate end is happiness. To qualify as an ultimate end this happiness must be long-term, attainable and self-sufficient. Does our culture encourage us to seek ultimate happiness? If so, how? If not, what kinds of ends are we encouraged to pursue? Why? What institutions, persons or organizations encourage us to pursue long-term happiness? 

Anselm and Aquinas

Take one of the proofs for the existence of God and explore it in detail by summing up the basic propositions of the proof. Next decide whether this proof provides sufficient grounds for believing in a higher being. Are there any problems with the proof you've chosen? Consider all possible objections to the proof.

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Descartes 

Descartes argues that the mind and body are distinctly separate entities that interact to produce the our conscious experiences. Explore his definition of "thinking thing" citing any difficulties that might undermine his description of conscious experience. Be sure to include commentary on the reliability of the senses.

Kant

  1. What does it mean to create a categorical imperative? Using Kant's definition explore one instance where having a categorical imperative can help us to make moral decisions.  In order to cover this topic well you have to show that the imperative is universal and consistent.

  2. Why do we create legislation using categorical imperatives? How can we insure justice and fairness by using categorical statutes? Describe an instance in which a law has worked well because it is universal and consistent.

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Philosophy for Laymen

  1. Explain the difference between philosophic and scientific methods of investigation. (pages 1-3 of Russell's article) Describe one real-life problem that would be best solved through the use of the philosophic method and another difficulty that is best addressed via the scientific method.

  2. Describe Russell's views on the positions of dogmatism and skepticism. Be sure to use quotes from the article to support your description. Why is dogmatism an enemy to peace? Why are skeptics rendered helpless by their own view that knowledge is difficult to obtain?

  3. Russell lists the intellectual virtues: philosophic spirit coupled with intellectual sobriety and the ability to remain impartial when faced with emotionally charged dialogue. Explore each virtue. What does it mean to be intellectually sober? Impartial? Why are these virtues necessary for anyone who will have to critically evaluate information in a work environment? Ask yourself: why are these virtues  critical for CEOs, doctors, educators, journalists, managers, lawyers, stockbrokers, etc.. Use real world experiences to illustrate your point. Remember intellectual virtue is significantly different from moral virtue.

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Euthyphro:
  1. Are there actions/beliefs that are clearly either pious or impious? Is there universal human agreement on these matters? Each tradition/culture has a method of determining which actions are pious. Given Euthyphro’s definitions of piety, what problems would we face in mediating our differences?
  2. Since life demands that we make moral choices, regardless of whether or not we absolutely define piety, how can we examine our actions to decide their moral content? What method does Euthyphro suggest? Why do you think he is correct or incorrect in his assertions?
  3. Read the Dalai Lama’s essay on "Human Rights and Universal Responsibility" @ http://www.tibet.com/DL/vienna.html and compare/contrast it with Euthyphro’s view that piety is achieved by pleasing the gods. The Dalai Lama asserts that piety is service to one another. Is Euthyphro practicing compassion/service when he prosecutes his father?

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Apology
  1. Compare Socrates’ defense (17a-35d) with either Thoreau’s essay "On Civil Disobedience" or Martin Luther King’s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" and note the following:
  • What are their views on defying popular opinion and traditional views?
  • How do Socrates and Thoreau/King view the role of government in educating and corrupting the citizenry?
  • How are Socrates’ and Thoreau/King practicing civil disobedience? Why do they do it?
  1. We’ve noted many times during class discussions that the intellectual climate in Athens was hostile to Socrates’ activities because he challenged traditional beliefs. Compare the situation in Athens to the present political climate in the U.S..
  • Identify one or two groups that stand for traditional moral attitudes and one or two individuals/groups that challenge these beliefs. What are the specific ethical positions under the debate? How does each side justify its position?
  1. Socrates claims that "An unexamined life is not worth living." What is an "examined life"? How is examining one’s life related to being an individual in our culture? Is living an examined life always desirable? Is it possible to examine everything about our lives? (This question originally appears on the Evansville Plato project referenced above @ http://plato.evansville.edu/.)

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Last Updated 28 January, 2001 09:31 PM

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