Metaphysics
TOPICS FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Each topic comes with a list of questions which should be addressed briefly by your paper.
Remember also that your presentation of the topic-related definitions, arguments, and objections must be supported by citations of specific pages from the course textbook(s) and/or handouts (if applicable) as specified in the Writing Assignment Requirements document available in the Course Contents section.
Paper #1 : The argument for Incompatibilism
What is the thesis of Determinism? What is the thesis of Free Will? What is the notion of a “physically possible future” and how is this notion used to give precise formulation of Determinism and Free Will?
What reasons does science provide us for believing that Determinism is at least possibly true?
What are the reasons for believing that we have free will?
What is the thesis of Incompatibilism?
What is the argument for Incompatibilism?
Requirements for Writing Assignments
Writing assignments in this course are essentially short summaries of topic-related parts of the course textbooks.
The purpose of these papers is for you to demonstrate that you
(a) have read and understood the relevant texts, and
(b) are capable of presenting a summary of your readings in a clear, coherent, logically organized manner.
Do not wait until the last minute to work on these assignments because haste will diminish the quality of your work.
In short, here is what I expect from good papers:
1. Important definitions are stated clearly and early.
2. Definitions are illustrated by a brief yet informative example.
3. The analysis of the topic issues is easy to understand because of clear definitions and supporting examples.
4. The presentation moves in an easy to follow, well-organized, step-by-step way. This is something every reader appreciates.
5. The presentation is well-supported by citations of specific pages in your sources (course textbooks).
Below are specific requirements regarding the format and organization of your short papers.
I. FORMAT
1. Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) ONLY!
2. Paper should be approximately three pages long, with line spacing at 1.5 lines.
3. Font size: 12pt
4. Numbered pages, beginning with Page 1.
5. No separate title page. No separate bibliography page.
6. DO NOT USE BOLDFACE ANYWHERE IN THE PAPER.
II. LAYOUT
On top of Page 1 the following must be clearly typed:
COURSE (e.g., PHILOSOPHY 2200C)
NAME
PAPER NUMBER (e.g., Paper #3)
TOPIC TITLE
III. ORGANIZATION
1. Your paper must begin with an introduction paragraph, in which you clearly state:
(a) what you will be writing about (e.g., In this paper I will discuss such-and-such theory and its difficulties; or such-and-such argument supporting or challenging such-and-such theory, etc.)
followed by
(b) a clear outline of how you will proceed discussing your topic, so that I will know the order in which you will present and discuss your material. For example:
“I will begin by outlining the theory T. Next I will discuss such-and-such advantages which T has over such-and-such other theories. Finally, I will present such-and-such arguments against T, and explain why these arguments seriously undermine the theory.”
2. After the introduction paragraph, you should proceed with presenting your material in the order promised in the introduction. Definitions of important theories and/or concepts should be stated clearly and early in the exposition, so that the reader will know right away the main ideas you will elaborate and evaluate later.
Use direct quotations very sparingly (only on the most important points). Instead, paraphrase the relevant definitions and examples in your own words.
3. Throughout your paper, your presentation of definitions, arguments, objections, etc. must be well supported by citing specific pages from the relevant parts of the course textbooks. This is an absolutely essential and non-negotiable requirement! Here is an example of how to cite a textbook in support of your claims:
One problem with the Cultural Differences Argument is its logical defect, in that the conclusion (even if it were true) does not follow from the premises (Rachels p.34).
In writing your papers the course textbooks (and Handouts, if any) always should serve as the primary sources of your references.
IV. GENERAL
1. Do not waste space on historical or biographical data about philosophers or scientists related to your topic. Short assignments must be focused very narrowly on the topic.
2. Do not “pad” your paper with irrelevant or repetitive parts. Such “padding” is immediately noticeable, and it will not make your paper look any better, only worse. If you manage to say all that’s needed to present the topic clearly and informatively in a little less than three pages, then so be it. I’d much prefer a clearly and informatively written 3 page paper than a repetitive, vague and uninformative 5 page paper. Ultimately, you should exercise careful judgment as to how much space you need to present all material relevant to get a good “overview” of the theories, concepts and arguments relevant to your topic.
3. Do not even think that you can “fake” having read the relevant parts of the textbook or handouts. I will recognize such “fakery” in a paragraph or two, and will judge the paper accordingly.
4. Do not even think about passing someone else’s writing as your own. Today’s web tools for detecting plagiarism are quite efficient. If you are caught submitting someone else’s writing as your own (even if it is only a part of your paper), you will get an “F” for the entire course.
Don’t risk your entire academic future! Just do the work yourself, get better at it with practice, and in the end you may acquire better writing skills which will serve you well later in life.
5. Always proof-read your paper for spelling and other grammatical errors before submitting it.
