PAPER FOR EXTRA CREDIT

OPTIONAL

 

Choose only one of the following topics and then write a 3-page paper on this topic (your paper has to be double spaced, using a 12 pt font, and margins of 1”, around 900 words). The paper is due Monday, April 28, 2003, that is, the first class after the Spring break. No late papers will be accepted. I don’t accept papers by e-mail. Also, don’t leave papers at my mailbox in the Philosophy Department. If you want to give me your paper before the due date, that’s fine.

            The value of the paper is 20 points, but the number of points you get depends on the quality of the paper.

            Your essay has to be supported with quotes from the text. You have to give page numbers in the text for every quotation. Your references have to come from the two books we have been reading: Perry and Bratman (eds.), Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings (3rd ed.), or Nagel, What does it all mean? If you want to use any other book, that’s fine, just give the reference.

            You can write on any of these three topics:

 

Here are some possible topics you can write about:

 

  1. Explain David Armstrong’s theory of the mind. How is his materialism different from behaviorism? Do you think that there is room for an immaterial conception of the mind in this theory? Do you agree with his conception of the mind? If not, tell me why giving me your arguments.
  2. What is the position of C.A. Campbell about the problem of free will? According to him, do laws of nature determine us? Are our actions uncaused? If you are not convinced by his position, argue for your own position.
  3. Present only one of the three arguments discussed by John Perry in his Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality (that is, that personal identity is based on the same soul, on memories, or on the same body), and explain the objections presented in the text. Are you convinced by these arguments or by the objections? If not, give me your arguments for rejecting them.

 

If you want to write about any other issue related to the three topics we have been discussing, feel free to do it. You just have to tell me in advance the topic of your paper (and if possible, what you plan to argue). Send me an e-mail to gmo9@columbia.edu. I have to approve the topic of your paper before you start writing. You will also be evaluated on content and clarity of expression.

 

Ø      DO write in full sentences.

Ø      DO edit for spelling and grammar.

Ø      DO NOT include introductory/concluding sentences or paragraphs. (It is a very short assignment, so just get straight to the discussion.)

 

You can get help with your writing at the Writing Center (1300 Boylan Hall). If I detect serious problems with your writing style, I may have to refer you there, and you’ll have to rewrite your paper.