Instructions:
You will write a 900-word final paper on one of the topics listed below. Your paper should be
structured around 4 major sections.
1) Explication of the topic
Here you will provide a faithful and charitable account of the author(s) in question. Explain their
view(s) on the issue, explain the problem they are addressing, and do your best to make clear
their chain of reasoning. (About 40% of your paper)
2) Critical Evaluation
In this section you will put forward your own critical perspective on the position you outlined in
section (1). Your task here is to demonstrate your own personal view on the issue as well as a
clear justification for your view. You can be critical of the original author(s), or you can be
supportive. But either way you must provide an argument and reasons for your position. (About
30% of your paper)
3) Objection
Strong philosophical writing tries to anticipate the most powerful objection that could be raised
to your personal argument as presented in section (2). You have to think of your single biggest
weakness in your argument and make a brief case for it. Think of this as what you did for your
peers in stage 2 of all the blogs—try to come up with something that challenges what you said.
Another way of thinking about it is what would the author(s) say back to you? (About 10% of
your paper)
4) Response
In this section you will address the objection raised in (3) and attempt to show that it does not
defeat your argument you advanced in (2). This can present itself as how you or the original
author(s) would respond. Think of this as what you did in stage 3 of the blogs. The strength of
this section is limited by how strong the objection is that you will raise in section (3), so make
sure that your objection is not trivial. You should not simply restate your personal response
from section (2). (About 20% of your paper)
Additional Guidelines:
- Introduction: Include a brief, two-sentence thesis statement at the start of your paper. Use the following format:“In this paper, I will present [author’s concept] and argue that I find it [convincing/unconvincing, satisfying/unsatisfying, etc.].”
- Conclusion: Do not include a separate conclusion. Ensure that Section 4 ends with a clear and concise statement wrapping up your argument.
- Quotations: Paraphrase rather than directly quoting the text whenever possible. If quoting, you do not need to provide references for assigned readings but should identify the author or text clearly.
- Focus: The goal is to argue that your position is reasonable, not necessarily to prove it correct. Your argument should demonstrate critical thinking rather than solve philosophical problems.
- Writing Style: Stay focused on making a strong, clear point, even if it is minor. Avoid covering too much at once—precision and clarity are key.
Essay Writing Tips (Refined Version)
1. Edit Thoroughly:Your submission should be polished and free from grammatical errors. Edit your work meticulously or ask someone to review it for you.
2. Start Early and Seek Help:Begin your paper well in advance. The Philosophy Department offers a writing clinic where you can receive support with your essay.
3. Write Clearly and Simply:The best philosophical writing avoids fancy language. Write as you would speak in an intelligent conversation. Don’t overuse a thesaurus to “sound smart”—this often backfires.
4. Get Straight to the Point:Skip rhetorical devices like hooks, grand statements, or rhetorical questions. A clear and straightforward start is more effective.
5. Use First Person:Feel free to write in the first person to make your argument more direct and engaging.
6. Focus on Accuracy:Before critiquing, ensure you understand and accurately represent the author’s arguments. Define and explain all key concepts so they are accessible to an intelligent, philosophical audience unfamiliar with the topic.
7. Avoid External Websites:Refrain from using resources like SparkNotes or Wikipedia, as they may influence your perspective too heavily or lead to accidental plagiarism. Stick to the assigned readings, lectures, and tutorials for a grounded and original essay.
8. Minimize Quotations:Paraphrase the author’s arguments in your own words. Direct quotations are rarely necessary unless they strongly support your interpretation. Avoid long quotes—explaining the concept in your own terms is often more effective.
9. Answer Questions, Don’t Ask Them:Your essay should answer the prompt directly without posing rhetorical or unanswered questions.
10. Keep It Focused and Polished:Resist the temptation to overcomplicate your argument or cover too much ground. A simple, well-supported point written clearly is often more compelling than an overly ambitious essay.
By following these tips, your essay will be clear, concise, and philosophically rigorous.
dditional Writing Tips for Philosophical Essays
1. Focus on Arguing, Not Proving:Your objective is not to prove that your position is correct. Instead, aim to show that your position is reasonable and well-supported. You are not solving major philosophical issues but demonstrating critical thinking and clear writing.
2. Keep Your Argument Focused:Avoid trying to tackle grand or overly complex points. Some of the best essays focus on making a small, precise point effectively. A clear and well-argued minor point is better than an ambitious, poorly executed one.
3. Develop Your Reasoning:When stating your position in Section 2, don’t simply write, “I believe X.” Instead, elaborate on your reasoning by saying, “I believe X because…” The justification for your belief is what matters most in building a convincing argument.
4. Stay on Topic:Maintain a clear focus on the essay question and avoid tangential discussions. Your arguments should be directly tied to the author’s views and your evaluation of them.
5. Prioritize Clarity:Write in a straightforward and logical way that clearly conveys your reasoning. Avoid unnecessary complexity or verbosity, which can obscure your argument.
6. Support Your Argument:Every claim you make should have a clear explanation or evidence behind it. Use examples or logical reasoning to illustrate why your position is reasonable to maintain.
By following these guidelines, your essay will demonstrate strong critical thinking and clear argumentation, which are key to writing a successful philosophical paper.
Topic:
According to Harding, what is standpoint epistemology? How does standpoint epistemology
lead to the maximizing of objectivity? Do you agree with Harding? Why or why not?
Please disagree with the topic