Philosophy, Plato The Apology
Here are the instructions for the paper: You can choose any topic on the syllabus that we have covered in the course so far. Write a position paper that will convince a skeptic that your own view is well supported and not easily refuted. I suggest the following steps:
1. formulate a thesis, e.g. The senses are a good source of knowledge.
2. State a few arguments that support your view.
3. State possible objections to your view.
4. Defend your view against these objections.
The paper should be written in a clear and straight forward style. Be explicit. Make sure you proofread it numerous times; the final product should be easy to read, i.e. understand. (A philosophy paper typically requires 3 or 4 drafts.) You should use material from our course. Use full footnotes, for example, Plato’s “Crito”, ed. John Cooper, trans. G.M.A Grube, Hackett, Indianapolis, 2003, pp. 15. You can use other material for your paper, just make sure to use proper footnotes. This is a position paper, and not a research paper. One easy way of thinking about this assignment: Imagine that you are a member of Brooklyn College’s debate team, and you are preparing to debate students from Hunter College. Your team has chosen to defend the proposition that the senses are a good source of knowledge. You will be able to win the debate only if you consider your strongest arguments, the possible objections from the other team, and your best replies to their objections. Your paper should be 4 to 5 pages double spaced.
Here are the instructions for submitting your 1st paper: Go to Course documents. You will see a folder named 1st paper, click on it. Another folder will come up with the title, 1st paper. Click on it. Inside you will find a text prompt with a question box and an answer box. Cut and Paste your paper into the Answer Box! Do not send a Word.doc. as an attachment to my email address.
Thanks,
Mr. Lekarew
CAN USE ANY OF THESE TOPICS TO WRITE THE PAPER
Why does Socrates claim that one should not fear death? What does Socrates think is the only thing a person must consider when
he chooses a course of action? Why? (28b-29c)Socrates claims that he has a special role in city of Athens: to challenge his fellow citizens to pursue truth and wisdom, and to be concerned with the state of their soul. Why are these pursuits and concerns important according Socrates? (29d-e). How does Socrates show that his commitment to philosophy is more important than life itself? (32a-e)
USE THE BOOK PLATO 5 DIALOGUES. APOLOGY II
