Homework: Philosophical Essay
Task:
This 4 to 5 full page (not to exceed 6 pages) Philosophical Essay you will be writing due Week 7 is designed to be a thoughtful, reflective work. The 4 to 5 full pages does not include a cover page or a works cited page. It will be your premier writing homework focused on the integration and assessment relating to the course concepts.
Details:
You will pick one of the following topics only to do your paper on:
I. According to Socrates, must one heed popular opinion about moral matters? Does Socrates accept the fairness of the laws under which he was tried and convicted? Would Socrates have been wrong to escape?
II. Consider the following philosophical puzzle: "If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?" (i) How is this philosophical puzzle an epistemological problem? And (ii) how would John Locke answer it?
III. Evaluate the movie, The Matrix, in terms of the philosophical issues raised with (i) skepticism and (ii) the mind-body problem. Explain how the movie raises questions similar to those found in Plato's and Descartes' philosophy. Do not give a plot summary of the movie - focus on the philosophical issues raised in the movie as they relate to Plato and Descartes.
IV. Socrates asks Euthyphro, "Are morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they morally good because they are willed by God?" (i) How does this question relate to the Divine Command Theory of morality? (ii) What are the philosophical implications associated with each option here?
V. Explain (i) the process by which Descartes uses skepticism to refute skepticism, and (ii) what first principle does this lead him to? (iii) Explain why this project was important for Descartes to accomplish.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, and typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the homework, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.