PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics

PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics
Guidelines – Paper 2
Goal: To better understand the concepts and ideas presented in Parts IV-V of the course.
Required length: 4-5 pages, double-spaced, in 12 point font with 1” margins (1000-1250 words).
Deadlines and method of delivery: Papers are due on Thursday, May 16 at 11:59 pm. Late papers will
be downgraded 5 points for each day late. Papers will not be accepted after Monday May 20 at 11:59
pm. Papers should be submitted via iLearn; they will be processed by Turnitin.
Value: This paper is worth 250 points.
Instructions: Write a critical analysis of a specific argument discussed in Parts IV or V of the course.
Your paper may either: (a) criticize the argument by raising a specific objection (or objections) to it; or
(b) defend the argument by refuting the strongest possible objection that could be raised against it.
Choose (a) if you disagree with the article; choose (b) if you agree with it. In either case, be sure to
develop and defend your views about the relevant ideas; it is not enough merely to summarize the
author’s arguments.
Your paper should include the following components:
1. Papers that criticize an argument:
• A short introduction and thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be succinct,
straightforward, and specific. E.g., “In this essay, I will argue that Guha’s criticisms of the
Western notion of wilderness is subject to the following objections: x.”
• A summary of the relevant argument in your own words. Be sure to include all the important
ideas/premises in your summary. Your summary should include at least two quotes from the
relevant article or chapter.
• Your objection(s) to the argument. Be sure to explain your objection(s) thoroughly and defend
them carefully, offering specific reasons for why the reader should agree with your criticisms. If
you have space, you may want to consider how the author might respond to your objection(s)
and how you would counter her response.
• Brief conclusion. Simply summarize your main argument here.
2. Papers that defend an argument:
• A short introduction and thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be succinct,
straightforward, and specific. E.g., “In this essay, I will argue that Singer’s argument for animal
liberation is sound. To defend this claim, I will show that this argument is not susceptible to the
strongest objection against it: x”
• A summary of the relevant argument in your own words. Be sure to include all the important
ideas/premises in your summary. Your summary should include at least two quotes from the
relevant article.
• An explanation of what you consider to be the strongest possible objection to the relevant argument.
Be sure to explain this objection thoroughly. This explanation should cast the objection in the
strongest possible light. Strawperson characterizations will be downgraded.

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• Your argument for why this objection fails to defeat the argument you have selected. Be sure to
explain your reasons thoroughly; the goal is to convince the reader to agree with you that the
objection fails.
• Brief conclusion. Simply summarize your main argument here.