Assignment:
Requirements:
In order to get full points on your case study you must do the following:
In a 1000 word (or more) written response, explain, discuss and explore the philosophical topic below, and answer the questions provided. Responses should show an understanding of topic being discussed, and should explore the topic beyond simply summarizing or explaining. You should answer the questions I've provided, but you are also encouraged to take your discussion of the topic beyond the questions that I ask you to respond to. Creativity and finding connections to things outside of the topic are encouraged!
Write a minimum of 1000 words that are on topic and focused on discussing and analyzing the philosophical topic.
You response should be in paragraph format, and any outside sources you consult should be cited using APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Put your word count at the top of your assignment.
Topics:
Choose one (and only one) of the following topics (and sets of questions) to write on.
Topic 1: Identity
Throughout this semester we have looked at various puzzles of identity, and considered multiple theories that try to give an analysis of the concept of identity. Most recently we turned to the question so of personal identity. Locke thought that a person's identity as the same person came from them having the same consciousness (same internal point of view, awareness, etc.). Since it is perhaps impossible to actually check that a person has the same consciousness that they had last week we are left with memories as the focal point of identity. Hume on the other hand thought that we do not have identity over time, as there is nothing constant among all of our various experiences. He thought that identity is really just a measure of our tolerance for change.
Reflection Directions:
Please review the material on Locke and Hume on identity carefully and then write a reflection that responds to the following items:
- Briefly summarize Locke and Hume's theories of personal identity? Need Assignment Help?
- Discuss some of the problems that Locke and Hume each face with their theories of identity? Do you think either of them comes close to actually uncovering the true nature of identity?
- What do you think it means to say that a person is the same person they were last week, last year, 10 years ago? Do we have the same identity over time or is it just an illusion? What do you think are essential features of a person's identity, and what are merely accidental properties?
- What are some implications of your position for how we ought to treat other people in our interactions with them?
Topic 2: Free will
Free will is something that we usually take for granted, but philosophers (along with cognitive scientists, psychologists, and many others) question whether free will actually exists. Even if it does exist it may be very different, and perhaps much more limited, than we usually think. Two theories that come out of physics (determinism and indeterminism) raise serious doubts that free will exists in this universe. In addition, work done in psychology and cognitive science show that our actions in many situations are highly predictable, and are causally linked to a number of factors beyond our control.
Reflection Directions:
Please review the material on free will carefully and then write a reflection that responds to the following items:
- Briefly summarize some of the arguments surrounding free will? What is determinism and indeterminism, and why do these cause problems for free will?
- What are some things that you think constrain our free will? To what extent are our actions determined by our genetics, the way we are raised, the experiences we have, etc.?
- What do you think free will is? Do we have free will or is it merely an illusion? Does it matter? Explain your reasoning.
- What are some implications of your position for how we ought to approach punishment and rehabilitation within our judicial system?
Topic 3: Compare 2 philosophers/positions
We've looked at many key philosophers from the history of philosophy this semester who have had great influence not only to philosophy but also to science and our understanding of our relationship with the world. At the same time some of the theories we've looked at have been not only counterintuitive but have called into question pretty much everything we think we know. If you choose this topic I would like you choose your favorite philosopher or position from the semester and compare them to your least favorite philosopher of position. For example you might decide that Hume was your favorite philosopher (he's so infuriatingly consistent) and that Descartes is your least favorite (he did complain a lot about having to get up early, after all). For each of the two philosophers/positions you choose to write on you should give summarize the philosopher's main views, followed by a discussion of why they are your most/least favorite from the course. You should evaluate them on things like the importance of their contributions to philosophy, their relevance to science and the world today, the extent to which you think they are correct, and by any other criteria you think is relevant. After you evaluate them individually please give a comparison in which you argue for the superiority of your favorite over your least favorite.