Category: Philosophy

Please follow the images
1) Descartes, Rene. Meditations on First Philosophy. 3rd Ed. Hackett, 1993. (ISBN: 0872201929)
2) Plato. Republic. Tr. by Sterling and Scott. Norton, 1985. (ISBN: 0393314677)
3) Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Basic Political Writings. 2nd Ed. Hackett, 2011. (ISBN: 1603846735)
4) Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Dover, 1996. (ISBN: 0486290360)

Write a 5-7 page (double spaced) essay in which you argue for your position on the death penalty.  In your essay, you will argue whether you believe the death penalty to be a just and moral practice.
Grading
In your essay, I want to see that you have thought carefully and critically about this topic.  Essays will be primarily graded based on the strength and thoughtfulness of your argument.
In your essay, you must:
Take a position on the issue and state that position in the essay introduction
Support your position using arguments that are thoughtful and well-grounded
Use at least one of the authors (Pojman or Nathanson or Rachels) covered in this course
Present and then respond to a counterargument to your position
Include parenthetical citations or footnotes and a bibliography
Bibliography and Outside Sources
Sources other than the ones used in class need not be used, though you are free to use them. 
Your essay must cite your sources using both:
Bibliography – indicate the sources used (including the Pojman, Nathanson, or Rachels papers)
Footnotes or parenthetical citation – include footnotes or parenthetical citations whenever quoting or paraphrasing an outside source
The books you should be sourcing 
“A Defense of the Death Penalty” by Louis Pojman
“Why We Should Put The Death Penalty To Rest” Stephan Nathanson

Instructions
1. Copy-paste this assignment into your own file.
2. Fill in the blanks with words and phrases that are taken directly from the reading, reading that is provided in the files section below this assignment. The order of the sentences follows the order of the reading, so complete the assignment as you do the reading. Follow the word-prompts. (If you’re pretty sure that I’ve made a mistake in my numbering or grammar or word-count-prompts then let me know by email and if I think that you’re right then I’ll give you an extra point.)
3. Make sure that all of your fill-ins are underlined.

For your final paper, you will write a case study of a quantity of your choice – any quantity you like! The case study should focus on philosophically relevant aspects of your chosen quantity. Although there is no particular essay question you are expected to answer, you should still offer arguments in support of your claims: your paper should not just offer a description of your chosen quantity.
Some examples of quantities: mass, charge, length, duration, velocity, temperature, colour, shape, hardness, spin, field strength, sensation, consciousness, well-being.
You paper should follow the following structure (the word counts are indicative):
Description of your quantity. Describe your chosen quantity: what is it like? How is it typically measured, and what role does it play in scientific theories? You should also note any other features of philosophical interest. [~500 words]
Philosophical problem. Present a philosophical problem related to your quantity. You should clearly state the problem and motivate why it really is a problem. You can find a list of potential questions below, but make sure that you consider the problem as it applies to your quantity specifically. [~750 words]
Solution to the problem. Propose a solution. Make sure to carefully explain how your solution solves the problem. Does your proposed solution have any downsides or further consequences? [~750 words]
Metaphysical account. Based on your solution, discuss the best metaphysical account for your quantity. You may defend one of the theories discussed in this course. Substantiate your answer. [~1000 words]
Conclusion. What have we learnt about your chosen quantity? Are there any questions left open? [~500 words]
You may find it helpful to consider some of the questions below (you should not answer all of these questions):
What makes your quantity quantitative?
Is your quantity a concept or an attribute?
Is your quantity measurable?
Is your quantity properly extensive?
Is your quantity a determinable with determinates?
What kind of numerical scales are possible for your quantity?
What kind of particulars can instantiate your quantity?
Is your quantity absolute or comparative?
Is your quantity a (structured) universal?
Are your quantity’s magnitudes locations in a value space?
Does your quantity have its causal powers necessarily or contingently?
Does your quantity always have determinate values?
Please consult the Marking Criteria for further information on the criteria your paper should satisfy. In addition, your paper should discuss at least two texts that are not on the reading list for the course. You are expected to find further literature yourself, but of course you may ask me for suggestions. I have uploaded the references section of Wolff’s book to make it easier to track down the papers she refers to.
The word limit for the final paper is 3,500 words including references but excluding a final bibliography. This is a hard limit: there is no margin of tolerance. If your essay is over the limit, I will deduct one point from your grade and one further point for every 100 words.
essay will be marked along the following criteria:
Understanding. Your work should display a strong understanding of the material. Explain key concepts and arguments clearly and carefully, in your own words.
Critical Acumen. You are expected to critically analyse the material. You should make a case for a well-reasoned conclusion; effectively use the literature; and consider the wider implications.
Presentation. Your essay should have a coherent structure, be clearly written and contain no spelling or grammatical errors. It should make use of the space provided, without superfluous elements.

DISCUSSION 2 – KITTY GENOVESE SYNDROME CASE

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: Answer the following questions in an essay format.
Discussion of the Questions below for Posting. Write in paragraph format:
1. Summarize in a paragraph the moral issue/moral problem in the story.
2. If you are one of the witnesses in this murder scene, suggest some best options on what to do, and choose the best action you would like to do in this situation? Discuss your option in a paragraph.
3. Do you believe that we have a personal, social, and moral responsibility towards others? What is Kitty Genovese syndrome for you based on this case?
4. Read Shiela Mullett’s Dimensions of Ethical Analysis (slide 8 in Module 1 – Moral Reasoning PPT), and understand each of the dimensions. Suggest how to improve our moral sensitivity in our moral consciousness.
Please write for your posting. Your posting must be not less than 10 lines by following the instructions and guide questions.

Write a 750 word essay Your answer should directly respond to the prompt in complete sentences. 
• your response must heavily discuss the issue in connection with these two philosophers and their work : David Hume and John Locke
• Your answer should have a thesis statement that clearly states the position you take on the debate presented in your chosen prompt. 
• Your answer should also be complete enough to score 10 points(7-8 paragraphs). 
Prompt: You and your friend discuss a high-profile case in the news of a person who was just convicted of a horrendous murder. Your friend argues that the conviction makes no sense because the person is not morally responsible for their actions. After all, your friend argues, the idea of someone being responsible for their actions assumes that there is such a thing as the self to begin with! Your friend assures you that, in fact, there is no such thing as the self, no underlying persistent person. The self is merely an illusion. If there is no self, then there can be no moral responsibility. At best, we should imprison violent individuals not to punish them for any moral wrong-doing, but only to keep the rest of society safe. How would you respond to your friend? 

read the instructions (Paper Topic #3) carefully and dont use outside material.
only quote from the texts I provided please. that is important

[It is expected that you have read the texts and watched the lectures BEFORE posting.]
This week, we’re beginning Plato’s Republic. In Book II, they discuss setting up archetypes for the purposes of their discussion.
Describe the PERFECTLY JUST and PERFECTLY UNJUST men (as described in the text), then give some examples from real life.

Instructions: Research your court case and write an outline of the case that you will be using to prepare a presentation, which will either be a narrated PowerPoint, a Kaltura Video, or some other format as approved by your instructor.This week’s assignment should include (a) summary of the case; (b) a case outline; and a summary.
Summary of the Case
In one or two paragraphs, provide a general overview of the case that serves as a snapshot of what the case is about and how it ended up in your state high court. A summary is using your words to write a brief history of the case. Do not give your opinion or your interpretation but stick to the facts only.
Case Outline
Your court case outline should include:
Title: Name of the case
Facts of the case: Provide key facts involving the case.
History of the case: What legal action was taken based on what your state laws say about this case?
Legal questions: What were the legal issues the court had to decide?
Decision or holdings: Did the court decide for the plaintiff or the defendant? Explain the reason behind the decision?
Verdict and opinion (judgement): What were the concurring and dissenting opinions? How many judges decided for the defendant and how many justices decided against the defendant? What was the final verdict from the judge or the jury, if it was a jury trial?
Conclusion:
What was the resulting impact of the ruling? How did the citizens of your state benefit from it? Was this a good decision?
Requirements
The length of your outline will vary. Usually an outline is anywhere from 1-3 pages long. Make sure to write full sentences to explain your case. It is a concise list to be used as a reference for you during the presentation.
Using the outline, you will be describing the court case in your presentation and the scenario around the court case. The use of Wikipedia as a primary source of information is to be avoided – it is not a reliable source of information.
Search for an example of a case outline in the Internet. Without going into much detail at this state, each of the items listed above has a subject sentence with 3-6 bullet points that can help you expand on the topic.
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources in addition to textbook if cited)

For this essay you will be required to write a 3 page paper on some moral issue related to sexual harassment in the workplace. You are required to locate one journal article on sexual harassment (it must take a philosophical approach to sexual harassment in the workplace), state and explain the author’s thesis, and then provide 2 arguments the author makes in defense of this thesis. You must end your paper with a brief criticism of the author’s view. Papers must be in APA format.