Papers should be at least five pages long and should be typed (or printed from a wordprocessor) double-spaced with adequate (but not excessive) margins for written comments. Please read my general discussion on writing philosophy papers.
Generally speaking, papers for this course should consider and discuss one or more texts that have been read and discussed in class. While you may wish to use other texts to enhance your understanding, you are not obligated to do so; however, you must give references to any texts that you do use. Your paper should contain at least two elements contained within a general outline. The general outline should provide the reader with a clear sense of the topic or question you want to consider. The two elements are (1) a clear understanding of the relevant portions of the texts being discussed and (2) a reflection upon this material from your own point of view and including your own reasoned arguments.
The due dates are all Wednesdays, in class.
Paper #1
due on October 1st
(Write on one of the topics suggested below or have me approve a topic of your own)
(A) Freud employed a fully developed psychoanalytic theory of human development in its "civilized" context to make the claim that humans will never be entirely happy, or content, leading a civilized life. How does Freud demonstrate this? If you do not accept his conclusions, what parts of his argument fail, in your point of view? If you believe Freud is correct, are there ways in which civilization might be transformed and that would make life happier?
(B) While Russell admits that we fall short of certainty and absolute proof, he seems confident that we know a great deal about ourselves and our world and that logic, science, and Realism offer our best bets. Do you agree with Russell in all of this? Write a critique of The Problems of Philosophy.
(C) Freud thought of himself as a scientist and believed that there are many things we know about the human psyche on the basis of psychoanalytic investigations. Write a critique of Freud from Russell's point of view. Or, if you think it appropriate, write a defense of Freud from Russell's point of view.
(D) Yet another topic would be to critique the first few chapters of Russell's book with an eye on the details of his argument for Realism and opposed to Idealism.
Paper #2
due on October 29th
(Write on one of the topics suggested or have me approve a topic of your own)
(A) G. E. Moore's "Defence of Common Sense" asserted certain knowledge about a wide variety of everyday beliefs. In his book, On Certainty, Ludwig Wittgenstein argued that Moore could not be allowed to claim knowledge for these sorts of things and also claimed that certainty about such things was subjective. Explain Wittgenstein's critique of Moore in detail.
(B) Wittgenstein used the concept of Language Games throughout his contemplation of Moore, knowledge, and certainty. Explain the nature of this concept and its usefulness to philosophical issues. Suggest one or more examples for the application of this concept or critique some of the examples that Wittgenstein used illustratively in his book.
(C) John Dewey asserts that freedom is a consequence of culture rather than of institutions or laws. Explain Dewey's concept and amplify this by using one or more of the discussions that we have had in class. (Note: you need to include a discussion of Dewey, not just resume one of the class discussions!)
Paper #3
due on December 1st
(Write on one of the topics suggested or have me approve a topic of your own. Be sure to read the general instructions at top of page.)
(A) John Dewey argued that freedom is not guaranteed by any particular institutions or documents. It exists, he suggested, because a culture values freedom and coordinates freedom with its other values. In that sense, we are always our own worst enemies; that is, we can lose our freedom by our own neglect faster than it can be taken away from us by any one else. Discuss this concept thoroughly and critically and use it to interpret the state of American culture and freedom today.
(B) Discuss science and technology as understood by Martin Heidegger. Suggest examples that exhibit his abstract concepts of the relations between man and technology and the dangers faced.
(C) Compare and contrast the theses advanced by Dewey and Marcuse.
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