Category: Philosophy

Choose one of the following topics:
I CHOSED: Afterlife and Mashiah
Read all of the primary sources and article/s on Canvas on that topic. Feel free to research any other relevant sources that you find. Write a 5 page essay (double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, standard margins) on Rambam’s view of the topic. You must cite at least four primary sources (meaning something the Rambam wrote, two different chapters in the Guide count as two) and two secondary source (meaning written by a recent writer). Make at least two references back to sources and/or methodologies that we discussed in class (for example content of Letter on Astrology, methodology we used in readings on prophecy).
Clearly indicate what you are quoting from others. Do not simply summarize the sources. Include methodological considerations, questions, solutions, and why you chose that solution over others. Include also how you relate to this material: how does it compare with what you have learned before, do you find Rambam’s approach helpful or confusing, is his approach relevant for a modern Jew or do you think another approach is better and if so which one and why.

Option 1:
Most Roman philosophers avoided choosing a single philosophical master, but embraced instead what’s called eclecticism, picking and choosing what they liked best from a variety of philosophies.  Eastern religions tend to lend themselves well to eclecticism.  Suppose you were trying to find for yourself a faith that drew on all four Eastern religious philosophies discussed in class.  What Eastern teachings would you include in your personal religious philosophy?  What would you avoid?
Option 2:
In our society we are familiar with the three great monotheistic religions, Christianity Judaism and Islam. These three faiths have much in common, but also major differences. Not surprisingly, adherents of these three faiths have often been in conflict with each other, though they often try to find enough common ground where they can peacefully coexist.  List the similarities of these religions and explain the similarities.  List the differences between the religions.  Describe the differences between the religions.
Your essay must be 3-4 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point font. 

Argumentative essay on a policy proposal. 6-8 pages. Research both sides of the issue (same issue as in essays 1 and 2) in preparing your argument. Make sure your Works Cited page includes sources that reflect differing viewpoints on the issue. Why would continuing this policy or implementing this policy make things better?  

Advice for writing term papers for upper-division Philosophy classes When going through the following process for writing a term paper, keep in mind that the paper assigned is fairly short. It is 2000 words (about 7-8 pages double spaced with 1″ margins) with a 150
word abstract (where this 150 words is not included in the 2000 words of the paper). Because it is fairly short, the paper should have a fairly specific thesis that allows you to go into a bit of depth with respect to an issue. 
Use this thesis:
Thesis :  The study of people’s preferences regarding trolley-type problems provides policymakers with valuable insights for establishing ethical rules in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. 
Objection to thesis: Policymakers must exercise caution in translating people’s preferences regarding trolley-type problems into rigid ethical guidelines, recognizing the complexity and contextuality of real-world ethical dilemmas.
GOAL (for a 2000 word term paper, 8 or so pages with 4 sections): 
I. Introduction including your thesis (your argumentative claim), and background information (definitions, explanation of why the thesis is interesting); this section is 1-2 pages. 
II. Reasons in favor of your thesis. This is your case for your thesis being correct; this section is approximately 3 pages. 
III. Objections to your thesis. If your thesis is an argumentative claim (which, of course, it should be) there will always be objections. Carefully explain one to (at most) three serious ones. This section is approximately 2 pages. 
IV. Replies to objections. Do your best with this section. If you end up feeling like the result is a draw, that’s fine. It probably is. This section is approximately 1 page. 
I also uploaded some files 2 of them are the soures that are needed and one one is a process guidline. 

hello you will need to access the book online as the essay is based on the readings from the book . here is the link of the book https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780190089603/epubcfi/6/2[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3DcoverImage]!/4/2[coverImage]/4[cover-image]/2[logoCover]%4076:31
the logins are :
email is *********************** and password is Philosophy2024!

Topics: Dass and Gorman Text, Ferrucci Text, Effective helpers and agents of change
Expected Length: 3 page paper; must include quotes from course texts
Assignment: thoughtfully reflect upon the prompt as it relates to the concepts addressed in this course. Papers must be typed and double spaced.
Content, grammar, and spelling will be taken into account in the grading of this reflective writing piece.
(See “Grading Components” below.) Best wishes!
PROMPT: Discuss how “helping” relates to social action, as discussed by Dass and Gorman in
Chapter 6. Also, include how concepts discussed by Ferrucci, such as humility, sense of belonging,
and service help us develop into more effective helpers and agents of change. Be thorough in your
discussion of these concepts or ideas. Provide important quotes from the readings, especially Chapter
6, to support your response. Explain how and why the quoted passages add significance or context to
your discussion.
Remember, in writing this Reflective Writing Piece, make sure you reference the texts, other readings,
class discussions, videos, etc. explicitly in your paper. Include quotes (at least 3) from the readings.
Papers should be approximately three pages in length. Papers must be typed and double spaced. Content,
grammar, and spelling will be taken into account in the grading of this Reflective Writing Piece. Please
see the following for specific grading components. Best wishes!
Grading Components:
1. Responsiveness: clearly and completely responds to the prompt; integrates the course readings and
class discussions; includes at least 3 quotes/citations from the readings in response to the prompt.
2. Critical Thinking and Reflection: insightful analysis and identification of key issues; deeper personal
reflection; links to course content. Is there evidence that the student has thought through their responses
to the prompt and that the student is thinking critically about the issues raised?
3. Communication Skills: writer is able to express ideas with fluidity, clarity, personal voice, and correct
grammar and spelling.
4. Turned in on time to Canvas. Late papers will not be accepted.
Reflective Writing Piece #2 Total: ________ (5 points possible)
PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY AI OR CHATGPT SOURCES ON THIS REFLECTION PIECE – I attached some chapters of dass and gorman and ferruci

These are not meant to be essay questions but if you give small answers you will get a small grade. Make sure you let me know that YOU know what you are talking about.
1. Melissa is a 80 year old woman with advanced dementia living in a nursing home. She has no short-term memory and only sometimes recognizes her daughter who is her only living relative. Her daughter considers her mother’s personhood as finished and currently existing in an undignified life. She seeks medical help to have her mother euthanatized. Is there any difference in how a Kantian and a utilitarian would respond?
2. Would a utilitarian and Martin Luther King Jr. agree or differ over a city’s policy of allowing racist groups to hold a public rally as long as they commit no acts of violence?
3. Consider the case of Mrs. Pamela Munson, who, late in her pregnancy (7 months), was warned by doctors not to take amphetamines, to stay off her feet, to avoid sexual intercourse, and to seek immediate treatment if she began hemorrhaging. Over the next week, she began to bleed, took amphetamines, and had intercourse with her husband. Herchild was born with massive brain damage and died in about six weeks. The District Attorney wanted to prosecute her for murder but settled for child neglect.
(1) Would a Principalist argue that her rights are being violated?
(2) Would an Originalist agree with the Principalist?
(3) Would her actions be considered immoral by the standard of Kant’s Categorical Imperative or by the standards of Natural Law?
4. Consider the case of Dr. Jariee Al-Hafi, an Iranian nuclear physicist who leads a team of scientists working on a project seeking to make Iran capable of building and launching nuclear (and biological) missiles capable of reaching the United States but for more probable use against its near neighbors. The research center where Al-Hafi works is located in one of Iran’s largest cities. Al-Hafi lives with this wife and two children in a large apartment complex within the same city. Both the research center and the apartment complex are well guarded by the Iranian military and not vulnerable to espionage. Assume for the sake of argument that Iran would pose a nuclear threat to the region and to the U.S. Use Anscombe’s just war position (from natural law) and then Mill’s utilitarianism to answer both of these questions.
(1) Would the U.S. be justified in launching an attack on the research center? 
(2) Would the U.S. be justified in destroying Al-Hafi’s apartment building when it is certain that he is in it?

In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville writes, “The moral dominion of the majority is based in part on the idea that there is more enlightenment and wisdom in many men combined than in one man alone, more in the number than in the choice of legislators. It is the theory of equality applied to minds.” What does he mean by this claim, and how does he characterize the “theory of equality applied to minds” more generally? Compare and contrast these arguments with ones drawn from at least two other texts we have read so far this semester. Do those authors agree with Tocqueville about the risks associated with such beliefs?
Two authors: John s. Mill ( On liberty or other) and  Madison The federalist.
1500 words

Create a philiopshical essay. Do not write a summary. For an explanation of what is meant by an “argument” in philosophy, see Arguments: Why Do You Believe What You Believe? expand on the idea in phillopscial way.

Instructions listed in PDF, as well as the readings provided. Only allowed to use those readings when writing the paper and only using information found in there as a source.  I would like it to be written over Option B. Do we have free will? as that is what the readings talk about.