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1. Formulate an argument which answers one of the following sets of questions:
Option A
Can a hedonist live the ‘good life’ as defined by Aristotle? Why or why not?
Option B
If ‘flow’ is a necessary condition for happiness, would you be happy if you were plugged into the Experience Machine? Why or why not?
2. Course materials: Papers must include discussion of the relevant required course readings.
• Option A requires that you define ‘hedonism’ and ‘happiness’ using course materials – e. g. Haybron, Aristotle, Bentham, or Mill. Your definition of ‘happiness’ must come from the course readings.
• Option B requires that you define ‘happiness’ and ‘flow’ using course materials and that you must discuss Csikszentmihalyi and Nozick.
• The only secondary materials you are allowed to cite are those indicated on either the lecture slides, eClass, or those listed in the bibliography of Mulnix & Mulnix, Happy Lives, Good Lives.
3. Essay Structure: Your essay is expected to be structured as an argument.
• Your thesis should provide an answer to the assigned question you are answering.
• The body of your essay should present reasons and textual evidence to support your thesis.
• You are expected to both quote and paraphrase from the relevant course readings in order to support your argument.
• The required textbook — Lewis Vaughn and Jillian Scott McIntosh, Writing Philosophy: A Guide for Canadian Students, Second Canadian Edition. (Oxford, 2012) – is a useful resource to help with writing philosophical essays
4. Citations: Citations should take the following form:
alphabetized bibliography (include name of author, title of article, publisher [or journal information], date of publication) plus internal referencing in the text of your paper.
Internal referencing should include author, abbreviated title, & page number & should be placed in parentheses after the citation. If you are using more than one text by the same author, include an abbreviation of the title in your internal citation.
Complete bibliographic information can be found on the course schedule.
example of bibliographic entry —
Arthur Schopenhauer, “On the Vanity of Existence,” from Exploring the Meaning of Life: An Anthology and Guide, (ed.), Joshua W. Seachris. (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). Cited throughout as Schopenhauer, OVE.
example of internal citation – (Schopenhauer, OVE, 229)
5. Length: Essays should be 1300 words. Essays that are less than 1100 words and longer than 1600 words will be penalized. The word count includes your Bibliography.
6. Format: typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on all sides. Font size should be 11 or 12 pt. Do not include a title page. Instead, in the Header put your name, student number, TA’s name, Tutorial Number, Course Code & section (PHIL 1100M) and “Major Essay.”
General Guidelines: Evaluative criteria, or what we are looking for:
1. clarity of exposition:
• explain things in your own words
• avoid obscure language and unnecessary jargon
2. understanding of the relevant course materials:
• your essay must include discussion of relevant course material. What is required is usually indicated in the essay question.
• it should demonstrate a thorough comprehension of this course material, including terminology. This thick descriiption of a philosopher’s position is what I often refer to as ‘exposition.’
3. overall coherence:
• your essay should include a brief introduction which states your thesis, structure, and conclusion. This is a map of sorts, for the reader, which tells him/her where you are going & how you’re going to get there.
• the structure of your argument should be easy to follow — that is to say, after you say what you are going to do in your introductory paragraph, do it.
• your essay should also be internally coherent — that is, the presentation and order of your thoughts and arguments must make sense.
• remember always to follow through on an opinion or thought. Good arguments require more than one sentence — they need to be developed.
• avoid tangents, irrelevant discussions, and ‘out of the blue’ remarks
4. proper citations:
• complete citations should include author, title, date, publisher, and page number.
• in addition to direct quotations, any presentation of ideas or arguments which are not your own should be documented.
• be particularly careful when paraphrasing someone else’s thoughts. When in doubt, document the source.
• remember, plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft and carries severe penalties.
5. definitions:
• define the central terms which you’re using — especially if they are persuasive definitions, controversial, or subject to multiple interpretations.
6. use of concrete, original examples:
• support your argument with original, concrete examples — these might include fictional characters, real events, or hypothetical constructs.
• if you use personal experience, try to avoid ‘universalizing’ your experience. Remember that others who are situated differently from you may have difference experiences.
7. coherent justification for the views you hold and the arguments you present:
• this refers to your ability to provide arguments that are sound and avoid common fallacies
• this does not mean simply stating your position, opinions, or feelings. You must be able to provide supporting evidence for your opinions.
• if your claims are controversial, you should consider possible counter-arguments. State clearly and concisely why these objections are not valid or not relevant to your argument.
• avoid self-contradictions, circular arguments, and trivial and irrelevant claims
8. originality:
• original arguments, insights, and criticisms
9. grammar and spelling matter:
• philosophy uses language to persuade an audience, thus correct use of this language is absolutely essential.
• a multitude of spelling and grammatical errors will give the impression of sloppy, lazy, or hastily prepared work.
• please proof-read your paper for spelling & grammatical errors. If possible, have someone else proof-read or copy edit it for you. Do not rely on your computer’s spell-check or other electronic wizardry.
10. there are no ‘absolutely right’ answers in philosophy
• If asked for your reasoned opinion, please feel free to express your views and opinions even if they are not the ones which I’ve stressed in lecture and even if they seem opposite to my point of view.
• For opinion-based essays we will not evaluate your argument on whether or not you agree with us, but on the soundness of your arguments — the justifications and defenses for your point of view.
• write about something you feel passionately or strongly about; however, remember that intensity of feeling is no substitute for a coherent defense in philosophy
Overall, we are looking for clarity, coherence, concrete examples, and creativity.
We are confident that all of you will present original and thoughtful (as well as thought-provoking) work.
Lastly: only use references from the sources I provided, I paid for the text option through SMS so if there is any extra info needed or if something isn’t opening or anything let me know and I will make sure you get what you need.
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