Category: Philosophy

After reading all of Chapter 3, please utilize the ideas, concepts, and information in the chapter to answer the following question in 250-500 words:
If moral reasoning is largely about providing good reasons for moral claims, where do feelings enter the picture? Is it possible to present a logical argument that you feel strongly about? If so, provide an example of such an argument.

I’m trying to send the format. I have to upload more when this is accepted. It’s only letting me send 6

The purpose of this paper is to identity the reasoning process of Descartes’s deductive argument for the existence of God. 
Refer to Meditations 2 and 3, and answer the following question:
Discuss and explain how Descartes arrived at the conclusion that God exists, refuting the evil genius hypothesis.   
The assignment should be at least two full pages, use APA formatting with a title page, page numbers, double-spaced, and use material from the text with in-text citations. Also include a reference page.  The title page and reference page are not included in the page count. 
The marginal numbers refer to the pagination of the Adam and Tannery edition. It is sufficient to use DM when providing in text citation for the Discourse on Method, and use MFP when providing in text citation for the Meditations on First Philosophy, and then include the Adam and Tannery paragraph number located in the margin, e.g. (DM 36) or (MFP 28). Remember to use paragraph numbers and not page numbers. 
You will be graded on the relatedness to Rene’ Descartes and his Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy (Cress, 1998); and evidence of clear writing, grammar and punctuation.
Create your assignment on a separate Word Document (save your document) and then upload your Word Document to the Turnitin Assignment submission. If you submit your paper prior to the due date and forgot something you would like to add, you can resubmit and I will grade the latest submission. If you submit a late paper, only one submission is permitted.  
Use APA formatting by providing a title page and reference page, double-spaced, and 12-font. Use proper paragraph structure, grammar and punctuation. The title page and reference page do not count for the page number requirement.
You paper should be at least two full pages of writing.  
Use material from the text to support your ideas – use intext citation and list textbook  pages or margin numbers as a reference. ** need at least two of them from the text.
You will be graded on fulfilling the requirements above and breadth and depth knowledge of the reading material. 

i want an introduction, definition of terms like effective learning with 2 references and effective teaching with 2 references also, a body and conclusion then a page of references used in the assignment

By proceeding more or less historically through the different ways that politics, law, and the common good have been conceived, we have seen how various events have impacted thought (government policies, laws, and philosophies) and how thought has impacted events. In particular, we have studied five different approaches to the common good and are now studying a sixth. These approaches are American Theistic Suarezian Natural Law, Thomistic Personalist Natural Law, Catholic Social Justice, Progressive Liberalism, Wokeism: Progressive Postmodernism, and Marxist-Leninism.
The question for your life and for your final paper is this: Which one of these philosophical approaches (if any) provides the best way forward? Answering this question requires the following steps: evaluating the pros and cons of these various political philosophies both in terms of their goals, core values, and practices (this will enable you to pick the one that you think is best and identifying the reasons why the others are inferior). Then, in your paper, argue  either that one approach is better than each of the others for achieving the common good of one and all OR by constructing your own system by scavenging key ideas from each of the other systems. Finally, in your conclusion argue the relevance of your position for contemporary issues.
Justify your decision by using only course materials to prove the correctness of your decision, by including citations and quotes to prove your interpretations. This paper is a take-home final exam and not a research paper. Provide at least one quote for each approach. Use Chicago style footnotes at the bottom of the page (author, title of work. In title of anthology, editor, page #.  Here is an example of a pre-midterm citation: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics Bk 10, ch 7, pdf page #; here is an example of post midterm citations:  Woodrow Wilson, “First Inaugural Speech.” In Documentary History of the United State, edited by Heffner. p. 323.). If you cannot supply a page number, then identify the title of the subsection and count the number of paragraphs to the quote (the idea is to make it easy for me to find the quote and be impressed with your perceptiveness). Pay attention to the word count. No brain-dumping; focus like a laser on making your case.
To help get your creative juices flowing, I’m attaching a handout briefly describing the key events and sources for each theory except for Catholic social justice which we will be working on for the next several classes. Even if you are not attracted to this approach, you will find Novak’s approach to making the case for Catholic social justice a helpful illustration of how to make a case philosophically–as our class discussions will show.  Final Paper Options-2.docx
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Remember, I don’t grade opinion and so the paper earns points only by accurate analyses of course materials and by insightful arguments that are on-target and logical.

Main question: For Aquinas, what authority would the state have independently of the Church to regulate religion? Why?
Justification: Aquinas’ stance on this topic illuminates the historical basis of discussion about religious freedom and the demarcation lines between secular and ecclesiastical authority. How come?
Methodology: this paper will analyze primary sources from Aquinas, focusing on his works on political philosophy and religion.
Key consideration: the significance of Aquinas’ theory of natural law and how it applies to creating a just society.
Recognizing the expression ‘the public good’ and its relationship with religious ritual. The extent to which Aquinas’ assertion validates the limitations of ecclesiastical and civil authority.
The expected outcome: This essay suggests that Aquinas would bolster a view that dismisses a state that can set limits on religion. While the state does need to promote the public good, it should not be in charge of people’s beliefs or displays of faith, except when these directly oppose orderly society or the common good.
Extra Study: By introducing a point of contention against the idea that the state may implement regulations on religious freedom based on Aquinas’ theories, this essay is a starting point for further analysis of how Aquinas’ ideas may relate to today’s discussions of religious liberty and the rule of law.
What you will find is that, at least on a surface reading, the chapters from De regno seem to be in tension with the Summa and Sentences texts, as De regno seems to suggest that the state does have an independent role in promoting eternal salvation and thus regulating religion. In order to prove your thesis, you need to explain how the three sets of texts (ST, the Sentences commentary, and DR) can be reconciled.
The paper is also meant to be a research paper, and so you will need to engage with secondary literature on the topic. Fortunately, there is a lot of material on your research question that will be helpful in developing your argument. In particular, you should consult the following sources and engage with them in your paper:
I.T. Eschmann, “St. Thomas Aquinas on the Two Powers,” Mediaeval Studies 20 (1958): 177–205; Paul Sigmund, “Law and Politics,” in The Cambridge Companion to Aquinas, eds. Norman Kretzmann and Eleonore Stump (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993), 219. (These two scholars both argue essentially the opposite of your conclusion)
William McCormick, S.J., “‘A Unity of Order’: Aquinas on the End of Politics,” Nova et Vetera 21 (2023): 1019–1041; Leonard Boyle, O.P., “The De Regno and the Two Powers,” in Facing History: A Different Thomas Aquinas (Louvain-la-Neuve: Collège Cardinal Mercier, 2000), 1–12; Laurence Fitzgerald, O.P., “St. Thomas Aquinas and the Two Powers,” Angelicum 56 (1979): 515–556. (these scholars try to show the compatibility of the texts).

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.