Philosophy Paper: Urgent

For your first essay, choose and answer only one of the questions below. In preparation for this essay, read the following Guidelines on How to Write a Philosophy Paper.

Is nihilism correct in asserting that nothing matters?

If you choose this question, you will argue either in favour or against nihilism. The relevant lectures are lecture 2, 3, and especially lecture 4. It is recommended that your essay has the following structure:

1) In the first section (titled “Introduction”) you define and characterize nihilism. For this section (as well as for the subsequent ones) you are encouraged to go beyond the lecture slides and the readings available on Moodle, and consult external sources, such as the ones suggested below.

2) In the second section (titled “Arguments for Nihilism”), present what you take to be the best argument(s) in favour of nihilism. Even if nihilism is not the view that you favour, try to make the best case for nihilism that you can possibly make. Here you will rely primarily on the readings, and/or external sources.

3) In the third section (titled “Evaluation of Nihilism”), you do two things: a) assess the strengths and the weaknesses of the arguments for nihilism presented in the previous section. b) formulate your own answer to the question and present your own arguments. Also here you must consider at least one possible objection to the view that you are defending and answer it.

4) The last section is the Conclusion. Here you summarize the main points made in your essay and briefly restate your own position and why you think it’s true.

 

Can we create our own meaning and values in life?

If you choose this question then you will have to engage with Existentialism (lecture 5, 6) and with Objectivism (lecture 7), and adjudicate between the two. It is recommended that your essay includes the following structure:

1) In the first section (titled “Introduction”) you define existentialism and objectivism, say what answer each of these positions would give to the question above, and characterize the two by contrasting them with each other.

2) In the second section (titled “Arguments for an Affirmative Answer” or “Arguments for a Negative Answer”, depending on your choice) formulate what you take to be the best argument(s) either for or against the idea that we can create our own meaning and values (which position you take will depend on your choice of topic). Here you will rely primarily on the readings, and/or external sources; you will explain the arguments from the readings (or in the existing literature). Also here you formulate your own answer to the question and present your own arguments.

3) In the third section (titled “Evaluation of the Arguments”) you assess the strengths and the weaknesses of the arguments presented in the previous section. You must consider at least one objection to the view that you are defending and answer it.

4) The last section is the Conclusion. Here you summarize the main points made in your essay and briefly restate your own answer and why you think it’s true.

 

Grading scheme

Your essay will be graded based on the quality of your arguments, the quality of your writing, and on how well you carry out the indications above.

Formatting information:

•Wordcount: your essay must be around 2000 words (but not less than 1500 or more than 2500 words).

•Font: Times New Roman. Size: 12. Line Spacing: 1.5; Margins: 1″ (or 2.54 cm)

•Bibliography format: any bibliography format is allowed, as long as it is used consistently. See here for examples: library.concordia.ca/help/citing/ap… For information on how to cite Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy articles, see the link “How to cite this entry” at the end of every article. For Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy articles use the same citation format as for the Stanford Encyclopedia. As a rule, do not cite any work that you have not looked at. If the encyclopedia article refers to a work that you consider important for your arguments, but which you have not looked at, try and find that work, look at the relevant pages, and cite that work directly instead of the encyclopedia article. To the extent possible, use the encyclopedia article as a guide to the primary sources, and not as a primary source itself.

•Do not cite the lecture notes or any unpublished materials. Instead, cite the philosopher/author whose ideas you are discussing. If in doubt, ask me or your TA. Also, you are not allowed to cite any websites except the encyclopedias mentioned below.

How to submit

Submit your essay both on Moodle before the deadline AND as a hard copy. To submit a hard copy, either use the drop-box located in Ross S, 4th floor (where the Philosophy department is located) or hand it in to your TA. If you have a tutorial that day you may hand it in to your TA in the tutorial. If your tutorial is after the deadline then use the drop-box.

External Sources

In preparing your essay, you are encouraged to go beyond the lecture slides and the readings available on Moodle, and consult the following sources:

•Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu

•Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy iep.utm.edu

•Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=http… To the extent possible, use the encyclopedias above as a guide to the primary sources, rather than a primary source.

•York U library has thousands of relevant resources. The best grades will be obtained by the essays who go beyond the materials discussed in class. Just search “meaning of life” on the library’s website and you will get a long list of useful resources.

• If you are citing material from the readings for which the reference may be missing, you are responsible for finding the reference yourselves (google the relevant passage/quote, and if you can’t find it ask your TA or me).

You are not allowed to cite any websites except the Encyclopedias mentioned

 

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