Assignment Details
6212-PHIL-1301-Introduction to Philosophy-RT-20125
Description
All papers will follow similar directions. Don’t plagiarize. If you’d like even more details for how to write a philosophy paper, here’s a very helpful link:
http://www.sfu.ca/philosophv/resources/writinq.html
Here are your directions:
The final draft will be 4 full pages.
Write an intro with three sentences or less. One sentence must be your thesis. A thesis is “a specific point that you are trying to establish – something that you are trying to convince the reader to accept” The thesis is also your conclusion, and your job will be to defend the thesis. The entire point of the intro paragraph in a philosophical paper is simply to present your thesis. For this paper, you have two options, Innate Ideas are true or they’re not. Your thesis statement also needs to state the fundamental reason(s) that make(s) you correct. A good thesis statement awards 20 points.
After stating your thesis, you will need to immediately define your terms. This is absolutely the most fundamental problem in most arguments: no one knows what people are really talking about. You will describe Descartes/Socrates1 philosophy as After stating your thesis, you will need to immediately define your terms. This is absolutely the most fundamental problem in most arguments: no one knows what people are really talking about. You will describe Descartes/Socrates1 philosophy as they describe it, then explain it in your own words. Include examples. Good description awards 40 points.
Now that your topic has been well described, you can argue. You will be evaluating the claims of Socrates and Descartes, and supporting whatever reasons you’ve given for your claim. Support can be all sorts of things, but in general, the supports should be more obviously true to help walk the reader to the truth of your thesis. Do not use a shotgun approach to argument, where you take a thousand little reasons and hope they are strongest. The simple argument is the strongest, and you should build up to your conclusion from a strong foundation. Good argumentative form awards 20 points.
The next step is done for both integrity and logic. You’ll need to respond to objections and offer concessions. This means you have to anticipate a point of disagreement and address it immediately. This strengthens your reasons for your position. In a full book, you would address any and all possible objections, but I really only need you to pick one or two that you think are most common. Good objection anticipation awards 20 points.
If you would like, you may have a concluding paragraph to summarize everything, but honestly, philosophical papers don’t always need these. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Don’t plagiarize. Don’t even get close. Put quotes on anything that needs quotes. Use the feedback.