Assignment:
Please choose ONE of the following paper topics. Papers should be 4-6
pages in length, due
Thursday,
March 11 at 5:00pm.
I am flexible about
paper topics and length only
if you discuss it with me first. Rough
drafts are
strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. I will be accepting rough
drafts no later than
Tuesday, March 9. Also,
drafts will only be accepted in person, so please make an appointment
to see me. No
late papers will be accepted. Electronic submissions required;
additional hard copies optional. Go here for
some advice on
writing a philosophy paper. Please email me
or talk to me if you
have
any questions.
1. Explain Descartes' project in his first and second meditations in
Meditations of First Philosophy.
What is he trying to do? How does he go about trying to do it? Make
sure to explain (i) his methods
of doubt and (ii) how he applies the
method (i.e., the three skeptical scenarios he considers in the First
Meditation).
What does Descartes think he has accomplished by the middle of the
second
Meditation? Make sure to discuss the cogito in
sufficient
detail. Do you agree? Why or why not? Critically
discuss.
2. Discuss the difference between Direct
Realism, Indirect Realism, and Idealism, clearly defining and laying
out each view of perception. Make sure to give arguments for and
arguments against
each view. Which view do you think is the most
plausible, and why? Make sure to support your claims, being sensitive
to discussion and
objections that we raised in class.
3. Defend Locke's view of perception. Be sure
to include a discussion of primary and secondary qualities, as well as
arguments for Indirect Realism. What advantages does this view
have over
alternatives (Direct Realism or Idealism)? Are there
any
objections to this view? If so, what are some responses on behalf of
Locke?
Critically discuss.
4. Defend Berkeley's Idealism. Be sure to include a
discussion of the arguments given in
Three
Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous. What advantages does
this view have
over alternatives
(Direct
Realism or Indirect Realism)? Are there any
objections to this
view? If so,
what are some responses on behalf of Berkeley?
Critically
discuss.
5. Carefully lay out and explain the Problem of Induction
, either old or new. Why should
someone find the problem worrisome? What
are some ways one
might go about trying to answer the
problem? Critically discuss.