Category: Philosophy

Type your full name​Type your last name and page number
Course
Date
Center Paper 1 or 2 or 3: Include your 2 themes in the title and the name of the movie
(Do not bold or underline title—only italicize film titles and foreign words)
A.) Did you like or dislike the movie and/or the documentary? Why? (10 pts.)
Use “I think,” “I agree or I disagree,” etc. (Type a lengthy paragraph).
B.) What is your philosophical theme after watching the movie? (40 pts.)
​Indent first lines. Use double spaced. Type a lengthy paragraph.
Choose a philosopher’s name who you can back up for your selected philosophical theme. Let say Soren Kierkegaard on fear and trembling or Aristotle on happiness. Other philosophers such as Confucius, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Mill, William James, etc. familiarize yourself with names of well-known philosophers mentioned in academic journals and books.
Explain as clear as possible why your chose this philosophical theme (for example, courage, fear, anger, truth, ignorance, creativity, knowledge, wisdom, empathy, solidarity, friendship, irrationality, the absurd, meaning in life, power, freedom, etc.). Comment on it. Use your own words. Back your arguments with rational explanations and back it up with at least 1 scholarly quote from a book and 1 peer-reviewed article from an academic journal. Cite the source in parenthesis, using the new MLA. For instance, “…” (Molloy 518) if it is from a book source or for article sources use the following format: (author’s last name and page number—no p. or pp.). For philosophical sources search in Galileo philosophy websites and journals like the American Philosophical Association website, or use quotes from philosophy electronic books and how they define your philosophical theme that you selected for your movie. Make the connection between the philosophical theme and the film narrative. Explain it in your own words. Use I.
C.) What is your religious and/or theological theme after watching the movie? (40 pts.)
​Indent first lines. Use double spaced. Type a lengthy paragraph.
Choose a name of a religious thinker, scholar or theologian who has done research on this particular theme. Let say the XIV Dalai Lama on love in action or Thomas Merton on contemplative truth. Religious thinkers are theologians and/or religious scholars and authors such as Karen Armstrong, Paul Tillich, Martin Buber, A. J. Heschel, Elie Wiesel, etc.
Explain as clear as possible why your chose this religious and/or theological theme (for example, faith, enlightenment, salvation, liberation, love, compassion, selfish desires, lust, greed, envy, devotion, passion for life, sense of awe and wonder, authority, priesthood, forgiveness, determinism, free will, choices, the good life, death, etc.). Comment on it. Use your own words. Back your arguments with rational explanations and back it up with at least 1 scholarly quote from a book and 1 peer-reviewed article from an academic journal. Cite the source in parenthesis, using the new MLA. For instance, “…” (Wead and Lellis 111) if it is from a book source or for articles use the following format: (author’s last name and page number—no p. or pp). For religious or theological sources search religion, theology or spirituality academic journals like the American Academy of Religion, or use quotes from religion or theology electronic books and how they define your religious or spiritual theme that you selected for your movie. For instance, use quotes from books by the XIV Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, Desmond Tutu, etc. Make the connection between the philosophical theme and the film narrative. Explain it in your own words. Use I.
D.) Have the Works Cited page at the end of each paper (10 pts.).
Center Works Cited in the last page (it could be page 3 if need it in order to cite all the sources using the new MLA).
Do not bold it or underline Works Cited.
Use at least 4 scholarly sources (2 from scholarly books and 2 from peer-reviewed articles in academic journals using Galileo). Make sure they are good academic books and articles (peer-reviewed ones). They must cite names of authors, articles’ titles, journal names, volume, issue number, year of publication, website link, and enter your Accessed date of your entry. See samples in Purdue Owl website for citing properly all your sources using the new MLA.
Use the new MLA Manual Style. Check samples in Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide by googling it. Use alphabetical order. Use double spaced. Indent second and third lines. Italicize book titles and name of journal. Type Accessed date of your entry at the end of each article’s web link. Do it manually! Don’t expect the computer to do it for you. They don’t follow the last formats.
NOTE: I will take points off your assignment due to inaccurate statements (always back your arguments), lack of sources or proper citation (avoid plagiarism—document all your sources, including interviews or comments and ideas from other people rather than you—plagiarized assignments will receive a failing grade and will be reported to the Dean of Students who will put your name on a database), or when the spelling or the grammar is deficient (you will lose half a point for each mechanical error). Look for typos and for mechanical errors, especially punctuation problems and spaces left. Revise your papers and make corrections. Italicize foreign words. Use double spaced and follow the new MLA style.

Group Assignment 3
The Assignment:
For Group Assignment 3, provide a detailed and developed response to the question in the PDF called “Group Assignment 3 The Firefighter’s Dilemma” (provided as an attachment to this discussion). If you are in the “Utilitarians” group, you must answer the question according to utilitarianism; if you are in the “Deontologists” group, you must respond according to “deontology/duty theory” (Kant); if you are in the “Virtue Ethicists” group, you must respond according to Virtue Ethics. Briefly explain the important aspects of the theory you are using, and then provide your response to the firefighter’s dilemma, clearly demonstrating how your response is in accord with the moral theory you have been assigned. Do not include any personal opinions or theories other than the theory you have been assigned, or your group will fail the assignment.
Group Assignment 3 The Firefighters’ Dilemma.pdf
The Due Dates:
FRI., May 24, 11:59 pm: Initial Answers Due. Provide a brief explanation of the theory you have been assigned. Then provide an argument for whether the THEORY YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED deems the actions of the firefighters to be moral or immoral. Someone NEW (someone who has not been a group leader yet) should volunteer to be group leader.
Mon., May 27, 11:59 pm: Comment on at least two of your group members’ posts, providing constructive feedback and respectfully stated disagreement where relevant. Come to some sort of consensus as a group about whether the firefighters were moral or immoral, according to your theory. Give suggestions regarding whose answers, or portions of answers, should be used in the final answer.
WED., May 29, 11:59 pm: Final Answer due! Your group leader should post one final answer for the group, based on the discussions and consensus reached.
Your group leader needs to make the post, in the GRADED DISCUSSION BOARD (the main discussion board for the group). The Final Answers posting should say “FINAL ANSWERS” at the top of the posting, and must include the names of all group members who participated fully in completing the assignment. Also, it must include the names of those who did not participate fully, with a brief indication of level of participation (for example, “Bob posted his initial answers on time, but we never heard from him after that.”) And, of course, this post needs to include the group’s final answers to be graded.

Type your full name​Type your last name and page number
Dr. Serrán-Pagán
Course
Date
Center Paper 1 or 2 or 3: Include your 2 themes in the title and the name of the movie
(Do not bold or underline title—only italicize film titles and foreign words)
A.) Did you like or dislike the movie and/or the documentary? Why? (10 pts.)
Use “I think,” “I agree or I disagree,” etc. (Type a lengthy paragraph).
B.) What is your philosophical theme after watching the movie? (40 pts.)
​Indent first lines. Use double spaced. Type a lengthy paragraph.
Choose a philosopher’s name who you can back up for your selected philosophical theme. Let say Soren Kierkegaard on fear and trembling or Aristotle on happiness. Other philosophers such as Confucius, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Mill, William James, etc. familiarize yourself with names of well-known philosophers mentioned in academic journals and books.
Explain as clear as possible why your chose this philosophical theme (for example, courage, fear, anger, truth, ignorance, creativity, knowledge, wisdom, empathy, solidarity, friendship, irrationality, the absurd, meaning in life, power, freedom, etc.). Comment on it. Use your own words. Back your arguments with rational explanations and back it up with at least 1 scholarly quote from a book and 1 peer-reviewed article from an academic journal. Cite the source in parenthesis, using the new MLA. For instance, “…” (Molloy 518) if it is from a book source or for article sources use the following format: (author’s last name and page number—no p. or pp.). For philosophical sources search in Galileo philosophy websites and journals like the American Philosophical Association website, or use quotes from philosophy electronic books and how they define your philosophical theme that you selected for your movie. Make the connection between the philosophical theme and the film narrative. Explain it in your own words. Use I.
C.) What is your religious and/or theological theme after watching the movie? (40 pts.)
​Indent first lines. Use double spaced. Type a lengthy paragraph.
Choose a name of a religious thinker, scholar or theologian who has done research on this particular theme. Let say the XIV Dalai Lama on love in action or Thomas Merton on contemplative truth. Religious thinkers are theologians and/or religious scholars and authors such as Karen Armstrong, Paul Tillich, Martin Buber, A. J. Heschel, Elie Wiesel, etc.
Explain as clear as possible why your chose this religious and/or theological theme (for example, faith, enlightenment, salvation, liberation, love, compassion, selfish desires, lust, greed, envy, devotion, passion for life, sense of awe and wonder, authority, priesthood, forgiveness, determinism, free will, choices, the good life, death, etc.). Comment on it. Use your own words. Back your arguments with rational explanations and back it up with at least 1 scholarly quote from a book and 1 peer-reviewed article from an academic journal. Cite the source in parenthesis, using the new MLA. For instance, “…” (Wead and Lellis 111) if it is from a book source or for articles use the following format: (author’s last name and page number—no p. or pp). For religious or theological sources search religion, theology or spirituality academic journals like the American Academy of Religion, or use quotes from religion or theology electronic books and how they define your religious or spiritual theme that you selected for your movie. For instance, use quotes from books by the XIV Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, Desmond Tutu, etc. Make the connection between the philosophical theme and the film narrative. Explain it in your own words. Use I.
D.) Have the Works Cited page at the end of each paper (10 pts.).
Center Works Cited in the last page (it could be page 3 if need it in order to cite all the sources using the new MLA).
Do not bold it or underline Works Cited.
Use at least 4 scholarly sources (2 from scholarly books and 2 from peer-reviewed articles in academic journals using Galileo). Make sure they are good academic books and articles (peer-reviewed ones). They must cite names of authors, articles’ titles, journal names, volume, issue number, year of publication, website link, and enter your Accessed date of your entry. See samples in Purdue Owl website for citing properly all your sources using the new MLA.
Use the new MLA Manual Style. Check samples in Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide by googling it. Use alphabetical order. Use double spaced. Indent second and third lines. Italicize book titles and name of journal. Type Accessed date of your entry at the end of each article’s web link. Do it manually! Don’t expect the computer to do it for you. They don’t follow the last formats.
NOTE: I will take points off your assignment due to inaccurate statements (always back your arguments), lack of sources or proper citation (avoid plagiarism—document all your sources, including interviews or comments and ideas from other people rather than you—plagiarized assignments will receive a failing grade and will be reported to the Dean of Students who will put your name on a database), or when the spelling or the grammar is deficient (you will lose half a point for each mechanical error). Look for typos and for mechanical errors, especially punctuation problems and spaces left. Revise your papers and make corrections. Italicize foreign words. Use double spaced and follow the new MLA style. Use page numbering. For instance, type your last name and then the page number

With the topic below, write an argumentative essay of approximately six pages on that topic. An argumentative essay (sometimes also called a position paper) is an essay in which you take up a position and defend it with arguments.
1. Drawing upon the ideas of at least two authors from the course, argue:
THESIS: If there is meaning to life, then it depends on the individual.
HINT: Begin by carefully defining what you mean by “meaning” in the context of “meaning of life.”
Further directions and file with readings attached. 

Prompt: How would you defend DuBois against charges of playing the race card? What is “the race card”? 
Counterarguemnet: Once you finish your page add a paragraph that counters the entirety of your argument within your page or after it.
Please find below the topics and some requirements for your essays. All essays should defend
a bold thesis and the thesis of your paper should be dedicated to addressing a specific problem and
should not take the form of any kind of commentary or impressionistic declaration. 
1. Explanation of Thesis Statement: Clarify the way how particular words are used if doing so
is important for understanding your thesis. Thesis: The concept, double consciousness illuminates the internal struggles experienced by African Americans, stemming from a feeling of two divergent identities. Beyond a simple metaphor, double consciousness is an authentic reality that is faced by many African Americans. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, rather than playing the ‘race card,’ acknowledges the distinctive perspective that African Americans have within society.
2. Central Argument: Present strongest possible arguments to support your thesis statement.
For example, if you’re arguing against a view, you might try to show that it conflicts with
independently plausible claims (there’s something true that the view can’t account for). If
you’re arguing for a view, you might (a) show that it does a good job of accounting for thing
that need accounting for, and/or (b) show that an objection to it doesn’t work.
3. Objections Against Argument: Next, you should give two to three major objections that a
reader might make against your central arguments. So, if your central argument argues against
a particular theory or position, think “what would someone who support that theory or position
say in reply to me? How would they try to show that my argument is wrong?” (In your paper,
you would respond to these objections: arguing that the objections don’t work, and your central
objection stands.).
Please do not use postings or blogs on the Internet as major research
resources for this assignment. Your textbook and/ or powerpoints or scholarly journals
should be your main research sources. 

In this paper, you will read all of these short stories and pick one to write a paper relating to course themes.
For your paper, choose one of the following
a. Leo Tolstoy, “Master and Man” or “Death of Ivan Ilych”
b. Jeffrey Eugenides, “Asleep in the Lord” (New Yorker excerpt version)
c. Flannery O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” or “Good Country
People”
d. Chekov, “Gooseberries”
e. David Foster Wallace, “Good People”
f. Tolkien, “Leaf by Niggle”
Your task, essentially, is to answer two questions:
(Q1) what is the story’s vision of the relationship, if any, between: ethics (ordinary goods and/or the good), religion, divine transcendence, and a (the?) good life?
and (Q2) how does this story assist in critical reflection on what is good and why?
There should be three parts to this paper:
(a) a succinct summary of the story, both plot and themes (approx. 25%);
(b) a critical analysis of the story in relation to course themes and readings (approx. 65%); basically: answering Q1 and Q2 above with assistance and critique from course authors; and
(c) whether or not it was a good story and why (approx. 10%).
You must explicitly reference scenes and characters from the story; direct quotations are appreciated. In explicitly tying back to course themes and readings, references to, and Chicago citations of, course readings are expected. Shoot for four (4) pages, give or take one page; 12 pt font, 1” margins.
Due: Thursday, May 30th (hard copy in class)
**Please use the course themes found in the lecture notes and use the authors discussed in lecture notes for the critical analysis and “answering Q1 and Q2 above with assistance and critique from course authors”
**I attached the short story to use when writing this paper, the assignment prompt, and the lecture notes

topic: Is it morally permissible to believe in God just because it is to your practical advantage to believe? Why or why not? What does the argument against believing in God without sufficient evidence look like? Is it plausible that God would look kindly on atheists and agnostics to because they refuse to believe without evidence? After all, aren’t they simply using God’s gift of reason to arrive at their decision?
sorry for the late notice I have an injury and have been in a lot of pain was in the hospital. really need help

I have included 2 papers of my own. I want you to read those and continue the topic with the Meaning of life from a woman’s perspective. I also included 2 articles from my course. You must find a way to relate those articles to women’s lives and meaning from a philosophical perspective. Still, please remember that you first read my papers and then write, as you have to continue in the dialect I have written from the start, which will bring the topic and make it detailed and exciting. I don’t want just basic information. If that, I will add a tip also. Please make sure the work is plagiarism-free. 

Week 3
Course Project: Issue Review
Assignment
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 6, 7
Lesson
Conducting Research (Purdue OWL)Links to an external site.
How to Search the LibraryLinks to an external site.
Library Workshop ArchiveLinks to an external site. (various videos about research and APA format)
Minimum of 6 scholarly sources
Introduction
This week you continue to work on your paper that addresses a current controversial issue. This paper is to be in the form of an argument. You have selected a topic and chosen issues related to that topic; this week, you will thoroughly research both sides of the issues you have chosen. Keep in mind that your paper must define the issue, present evidence on both sides of the issue, and then argue that one side is stronger and more persuasive than the other. Your paper must address at least three relevant aspects of the issue. More specific directions for each part of the paper will be found within the specific assignment in the weekly modules; the assignment this week is to research both the pro and con sides of the issues you have chosen to address.
Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:
Week Task
Week 1 Topic Selection
Week 3 Issue Review (both sides)
Week 5 Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)
Week 7 Argumentative Paper
Instructions
This week, you will conduct an issue review for your selected topic for your project. Present a brief report of your research on both sides of the issue. This should include the following:
Citation of your sources
Links to the sources where available
Brief descriiption of the content of each of the sources (50 to 80 words for each source)
Your research review should address at least three (3) aspects of the issue that is the subject of your paper and must present at least one pro and one con article review on each aspect. Sources should be scholarly or of very high substantive quality.
Click on the following link to view an example. The first aspect is written out completely, with APA citation and brief descriiption of content. The next two aspects should be completely written out by you in your report, including correct APA citation and brief descriiption of content.
Example Issue Review
Issue: Legalization of Prostitution
Aspect 1: Safety
Pro: Stern, S. W., (2019). Sex workers of the world unite. The American Scholar, pp. 40-54.
The author presents the case, largely though the words of sex-workers themselves, for de-criminalization and for allowing sex workers to control the conditions of their work—that is, to operate brothels themselves, choose their physicians, provide and receive benefits, and work outside brothels if they so choose – which will make them safer and less apt to be exploited.
Con: Der Spiegel Staff. (2013, May). How legalizing prostitution has failed. Der Spiegel Online. https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/human-trafficking-persists-despite-legality-of-prostitution-in-germany-a-902533.html
Staff writers report that since de-criminalization of prostitution in Germany in 2003, exploitation and human trafficking remain significant problems. According to one German law enforcement officer, Germany is a “center for the sexual exploitation of young women from Eastern Europe, as well as a sphere of activity for organized crime groups from around the world” (Germany’s Human Trafficking Problem section)
Aspect 2: SESTA/FOSTA
Pro: (APA citation to article supporting SESTA legislation; brief descriiption of content)
Con: (APA citation to article against SESTA legislation; brief descriiption of content)
Aspect 3: Economics
Pro: (APA citation to article showing better income/standard of living after de-criminalization; brief descriiption of content)
Con: (APA citation to article showing real economic benefit is to pimps, traffickers brief; descriiption of content)
Because the topics vary widely, the nature of your research will also vary. If you are writing about gene therapy, for example, you will have to support your points with scholarly medical opinion. You may need to review researching techniques. Visit the research links provided in the Required Resources section in this activity for more information.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1-2 pages (not including title page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page
Grading
This activity will be graded using the W3 Course Project Grading Rubric.
Outcomes
CO 6: Apply principles of critical reasoning to political, educational, economic, and/or social issues.
CO 7: Create a fallacy-free argument that incorporates principles of ethical decision-making.
Due Date
By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday
Rubric
W3 Course Project Grading Rubric – 75 pts
W3 Course Project Grading Rubric – 75 pts
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength
5 pts
Meets length requirement
0 pts
Does not meet length requirement
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTimeliness & Authority
10 pts
All sources reflect current state of the issue OR, if historical, significance is explained; all sources are authoritative, credible, and reliable and are scholarly.
8.5 pts
Most sources reflect current state of the issue OR if historical, significance is explained; all sources are authoritative, credible and reliable; are either scholarly or are highly substantive.
7.5 pts
Most sources reflect current state of the issue, but few are scholarly or highly substantive.
6 pts
Sources reflect the current state of the issue but are primarily from popular sources.
0 pts
Sources do not reflect the current state of the issue.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 1 Pro
10 pts
Significant and substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
8.5 pts
Substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
7.5 pts
Some support to targeted aspect of issue
6 pts
On topic, but minimal support to targeted aspect of issue
0 pts
No support to targeted aspect of issue
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 1 Con
10 pts
Opposition view is strongly stated and specifically related to targeted aspect of issue.
8.5 pts
Opposition view clearly stated and related to targeted aspect of issue.
7.5 pts
Opposition view mixed but some opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
6 pts
On topic, but minimal opposition targeted aspect of issue.
0 pts
No opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 2 Pro
10 pts
Significant and substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
8.5 pts
Substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
7.5 pts
Some support to targeted aspect of issue
6 pts
On topic, but minimal support to targeted aspect of issue
0 pts
No support to targeted aspect of issue
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 2 Con
10 pts
Opposition view is strongly stated and specifically related to targeted aspect of issue.
8.5 pts
Opposition view clearly stated and related to targeted aspect of issue.
7.5 pts
Opposition view mixed but some opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
6 pts
On topic, but minimal opposition targeted aspect of issue.
0 pts
No opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 3 Pro
10 pts
Significant and substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
8.5 pts
Substantial support to targeted aspect of issue
7.5 pts
Some support to targeted aspect of issue
6 pts
On topic, but minimal support to targeted aspect of issue
0 pts
No support to targeted aspect of issue
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAspect 3 Con
10 pts
Opposition view is strongly stated and specifically related to targeted aspect of issue.
8.5 pts
Opposition view clearly stated and related to targeted aspect of issue.
7.5 pts
Opposition view mixed but some opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
6 pts
On topic, but minimal opposition targeted aspect of issue.
0 pts
No opposition to targeted aspect of issue.
10 p

Each journal entry is a paragraph on one of the assigned readings, and each entry discusses a different reading assignment. Each journal entry must include at least one quote from the reading assignment. Select a quote that makes a claim you have an opinion about, explain the quote in the context of the article it came from, and then express your opinion about it. For example, you may think the author is right, or wrong, or leaving out something important, etc. To receive full credit, you must express an opinion and give a reason for that opinion.
The goal of the journal entry is NOT to summarize the reading. Rather, the goal is to think about what the reading says, whether on the whole or in some specific part. For example, you could dispute an author’s interpretation of an example, critique a particular argument or conclusion, discuss how the author’s view applies — or fails to apply — to your own experience, relate the material to a TV show or movie, etc. What you think is up to you, but you must be sharing your own thoughts as opposed to just summarizing or saying generic things like “the author raises profound issues.”
Submit all four entries in a single document.