Final Paper

T. Parent

Phil 32; Fall 2005

For the final assignment, you have a choice to revise and expand an earlier paper (max. 10 pages), or write a shorter paper (5 pages max.). If you choose the longer paper, you MUST discuss a plan for your paper with me, before you begin writing. (By the way, I recommend this first option for those considering graduate school in the humanties or social sciences.) If you want to write the shorter paper, please write on ONE of the following topics:

            -Divine Command Theory

            -Walker on the Meaning of Life

            -Nietzsche on the Meaning of Life

            -Nietzsche on Morality

Each of the shorter papers should conform to the following outline:

Please explain to me [TOPIC].

Then, tell me what is (in your opinion) the most interesting objection to [TOPIC].

Please explain what you think the best reply is to the objection in (b).

Finally, do you think the reply in (c) is successful? That is, do you think the argument there succeeds in diffusing the original objection?

If you do think the reply is successful, consider a complaint someone else might have against the rejoinder, and then show how this complaint is unwarranted.

If you do NOT think the reply is successful, please explain why this is so.

The assignment is due Monday, Dec. 12th at 7:15pm in our usual classroom. Please submit to me BOTH a hard copy AND an electronic copy either as an email attachment (preferred), or on disk. Also, please identify your hard copy ONLY with your PID.

Same provisos/recommendations apply from earlier assignments (e.g., be clear, don't write a mere book report, etc.)