Essay Topics CHOOSE ONE
Topic A
Do you agree with Rowe that it seems unlikely that all instances of intense human and animal suffering lead to greater goods?
And do you think that if all suffering DOES lead to greater goods that an omnipotent, omniscient being could not t,ave achieved at least SOME of those goods without permitting the instances of suffering that lead to them?
Explain using your own words. Summarize and explain Rowe 's argument, and give your own thought experiments and examples to defend your position.
Topic B
Imagine a space alien coming to earth and scientists being able to examine its internal organs. And suppose nothing resembling the human brain could be found.
According to the identity theory, would this being have a mind? Imagine that its behavior was in most ways indistinguishable from human behavior. Would you conclude that it had a mind? Clearly explain your position, using your own words.
Use information from the textbook to help you explain identity theory and the criticisms of identity theory. Make it clear to your reader why the question about the space alien is an important question for philosophy of mind.