Argumentative Essay
Assignment: Write a 3-page essay in which you (a) explain a single argument, view, or objection and then (b) raise a single objection to that argument, view, or objection. Roughly, the first half of the essay should be exposition, and the second half evaluation.
The first line of your essay should begin: “In this essay I argue that…” followed by a description of your thesis statement. Please do not include an introduction or conclusion. The point of the assignment is to develop your skills constructing the substance of philosophical argumentative essay.
Choose one of the following:
The argument for the extended mind hypothesis.
One of the “in principle” objections to direct manipulation of the brain.
The argument that the treatment/enhancement distinction cannot be sustained.
The argument (appealing to the parity principle) that we should be no more worried about neurological mind reading than about external psychological mind reading.
Levy’s claim that the holism of the mental presents an obstacle to the insertion of false memories.
Levy’s concern with propranolol as a treatment for PTSD based on the Somatic Marker Hypothesis.
Some Tips:
The whole point of the essay is to convince the reader of a particular claim. Make that main claim extremely clear and explicit. This is your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should make a philosophical, and not merely descriptive, claim (e.g. “Direct manipulation of brain is permissible,” and not “Levy believes that 2 direct manipulation of the brain is permissible.”). Take a clear stand on a neuroethical issue.
Your thesis statement should be of the form: “In this essay, I argue that…” Note that the ‘that’ is crucial. The following is non-grammatical and non-sensical: “In this essay I argue the extended mind hypothesis.” You need to argue that something is true or false (or, alternatively: for a particular claim, or against a particular claim, or in defense of a particular claim). For example, “In this essay I argue that the extended mind hypothesis is false.”
Ideally, your thesis statement should attempt to advance the dialectic. This means that it should attempt to contribute something novel or original to a debate that we’ve discussed in the course. For example, a thesis statement of the form “In this essay, I argue that Levy’s view is correct” does not do this, it simply registers agreement. So what do you do if you find that you want to write on a topic in which you agree with the argument? In that case, try to come to the defense of the argument against a new threat. Try to articulate what you think is the strongest objection to the argument that you want to defend and offer a counter response.
If you have the space, try to add another layer of depth by anticipating and responding to an objection to your position: “One might object to the argument of this essay by claiming that…In response, notice that…”
Fully explain all points. Imagine that the reader is someone with no prior knowledge of the material.
