PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

PAPER ASSIGNMENTS

FALL 2005

PAPER #1--GROUP PAPER ON SHIP OF THESEUS

1. FIND your group.

2. READ the Ship of Theseus problem/question.

3. Decide on an answer.

4. Formulate a justification/defense of your answer.

5. Explain why the other answers are incorrect.

6. The point of this paper is for you to reflect on the issues involved in the problem of personal identity.

PAPER #2--PAIRED COURSES PAPER--PHILOSOPHY & ECONOMICS

1. Consider the following question: Based on your understanding of the subject matter in PHIL 115, which account of the human person is most compatible with the methodology used in ECON 252?

2. Begin the paper by briefly outlining the essential features of each view of the human person.

3. Formulate your own answer to the question.

4. Present/Lay out your argument in support of your answer. (And then participate in our classroom debate.)

5. Critically evaluate your argument.

6. Conclude by saying why your answer is correct.

7. The point of this paper is for you to think critically about the different ways by which Philosophy and Economics approach and understand the human person, and then answer the question in #1.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING PAPERS

1. FIRST PAGE

*Title of paper at top in center/middle of page

*Your name

*Paper number (i.e., Paper #1)

2. INTRODUCTION

*Begin by stating your objective/purpose

*(i.e., The purpose of this paper is ...)

*Say why you THINK this is an important topic/ question

*Explain what you are going to do/show in the paper

3. MAKE YOUR CASE

*Present your evidence/set up/lay out your argument(s)

*i.e., Plato thinks that Socrates is NOT a Sophist BECAUSE:

P1--If a Sophist, Then Lots of $$$

P2--~(Lots of $$$)

C--S0 ~ a Sophist

*REMEMBER--you are trying to justify what you believe

4. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE ARGUMENT(S)

*State what kind of argument it is

*(i.e., Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Induction, Disjunction)

*Check its validity/strength

*Explain why its PREMISES are TRUE or FALSE

*Any counter-examples???

*Say what you THINK about the argument(s)

5. CONCLUSION

*Say what you have done/shown

*(i.e., This paper has shown that ...)

NOTE: GRAMMATICAL & MECHANICAL MISTAKES COUNT!!

3 OR MORE WILL RESULT IN A FULL GRADE REDUCTION!!