Syllabus

Reading Schedule

Handouts & Assignments

Study Questions

Paper Topics

Internet Links

Write on one of the following topics.

1. Present and critically evaluate one or two of the arguments for immortality which Plato offers in the Phaedo. We may cover some of these arguments in class before the paper is due. If that is the case, then doing well on this paper requires that you do more than recapitulate what was said in class. Probe deeper into the arguments, or show interesting connections or contrasts between two or more of the arguments. Perhaps you think there are ways Plato can reply to the various objections we lodged against his arguments—if so, discuss how. The best papers here will move significantly beyond what we talked about in class when we covered these arguments.
   
   
2. Discuss Socrates’ argument against the possibility of akrasia, or "weakness of will". Socrates thought that genuine weakness of will was impossible, since "everyone desires what is good". He covers this ground briefly in the Meno, but in more detail in another dialogue of Plato’s, the Protagoras. Read the selection from the Protagoras (on reserve at the library, or accessible from the course web page), and set out and critically evaluate Socrates’ argument as it is presented there. Be sure to be clear as to what Socrates means when he says that weakness of will is impossible. Link to selection from Plato's Protagoras
   
   
3. Plato advances his theory of recollection in the Meno and again in the Phaedo. Clearly set out both those arguments and discuss the ways in which the arguments differ, and the ways in which Plato presents us with different conceptions of recollection—of how it works, of what is recollected, and so on.
   
   
4. Critically examine Plato's allegory of the cave. Among the questions you should deal with are these: What is Plato’s allegory of the cave meant to represent? What is the cave? What are the Sun and the shadows? What is it that will allow us to "see the light", in more literal terms? Does this account make the kind of sense Plato hopes it might? How does this allegory square with the allegories of the Sun and the Line?  It's not enough simply to describe the cave allegory, but you need to probe for its deeper meaning and significance.
   
   
5. Both Aristotle (in Book III, Chapters 1-5 of the Nicomachean Ethics) and the Stoics discuss questions of responsibility for one's character and for one's actions.  Set out and critically assess their views on this topic. Where do their views converge? Where do they significantly differ?  Who do you think has a more plausible view of the way in which we are responsible for what we do? What are your reasons for thinking this?

Some General Remarks

• The papers are due by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5th. Papers which are turned in late without prior permission will be penalized as the instructor sees fit.
• Papers are to have an appropriate title, be typed, double-spaced, and be in the 1000-1200 word range (about 4-6 pages).
• Elaborate folders and report covers are discouraged (I just throw them away, so save your money!). A simple staple will do just fine.
• The first paragraph of your paper should include an overview of what you plan to do in the paper, and it must contain a thesis statement. It should be clear to the reader after the first paragraph what your position is. Please avoid introductions of the junior high sort (e.g., "Ever since the dawn of time, man has wondered about Plato’s Theory of Recollection.") as well as biographical synopses of the philosopher(s) you are discussing.
• The best bit of general writing advice I can give is this: Don't think of me (Prof. Mills) as the audience for your paper. Rather think of yourself as writing for an intelligent friend or family member who has not been to class. Think of yourself as teaching them--as explaining to them what these philosophers are going on about.  Think of them as having read, but not fully understood, the texts in question, and it is your task to clarify the themes and issues for them.
• "Grammar counts". Proofread and spellcheck your paper. If I can’t make out what you are saying, this will affect your grade.
• Feel free to visit me with a draft, an outline, to chat about your topic.  I will read drafts only if I receive them by Thursday November 1st.
• I do not intend this to be a research paper: you should be able to adequately deal with this issue using the assigned texts and your own brain. Standard rules about citation and plagiarism apply: any idea in your paper that comes from some outside source must be properly cited. If you make use of any sources other than our textbooks, you must not only include it in your bibliography, but you must provide me with a copy of the source. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any paper that is plagiarized will receive an ‘F’. If you have any questions about what counts as plagiarism, see the information in the syllabus, or come talk to me.
• All of the paper topics require critical evaluation. Critical evaluation and analysis involves setting out as clearly as possible what the argument is and assessing whether it is a good argument. Do not merely report on what is being said, but assess the arguments you find there. Is the argument a good one? If not, where are the flaws? Can the argument be patched?
• Papers will be graded based on clarity, organization, strength of the argument, sensitivity to objections, philosophical creativity, manifested understanding of the material, and accuracy (did the author say what you said he said?) You may want to consult your syllabus for some further information about what my grades mean.