Essay Assignment, due tomorrow!
Assignment: D. Matthews’s Response to N. Bostrom on Existential Risk
Due Date: November 13, 2017 Length: 1500-1600 words (include word count at the start of the paper)
Overview: Nick Bostrom argues that avoiding existential risk and existential loss should be a global priority. Dylan Matthews responds by stating that Bostrom’s argument relies on a false sense of statistical precision, and by questioning his assumption that people who might exist in the future should be counted equally to people who do exist today. This assignment asks you to present and assess Matthews’s critique, that is, identify the claim and its justifications.
Assignment: Compose an essay discussing the following questions:
· How would you characterize effective altruism? Are there good reasons to support this view?
· According to “existential risk obsessives,” why should effective altruists care about existential risk?
· What does Matthews mean when he says, “global poverty is a rounding error”? Is this an accurate characterization of Bostrom’s viewpoint?
· Are Matthews’s criticisms of Bostrom’s argument valid and reasonable? Why or why not?
Writing and Structural Notes:
· It is crucial that you present Bostrom’s argument and Matthews’s criticism.
· The presentation of somebody else’s argument should be done in your own words (i.e., not just a quotation), and should be done as clearly and plainly as possible.
· You may include your own take on Bostrom’s argument. That is, you may explain whether or not you agree with it and why.
· Whether in the presentation of someone else’s argument or the presentation of your own views, you should aim to write in an argumentative style. A philosophical argumentative essay is not a confrontation of opinions, but rather the exposition and assessment of claims and their justification. You may agree with a claim but not the justifications given for it. Conversely, you may agree with all the reasons given to support a claim, but not agree that they do in fact support the claim in question.
· If you opt to write a single essay, be sure to include a proper introduction and conclusion. An introduction should do the following:
o Introduce the reader to the problem. That is, explain in general terms what the topic is, what the issue is, and why the reader should care about it.
o Summarize the main claims: e.g., that Matthews’s criticism is correct, or maybe that it is flawed because he failed to consider some points that Bostrom made.
The conclusion should summarize the main claims and their justification. You are encouraged not to use additional sources. If you use other sources,
they should preferably be taken from the course’s reading list. Cite all sources using both in-text citations and a works cited page.
Rubric:
· Most important for this assignment is the accurate, fair exposition of Bostrom’s and Matthews’s claims.
· Also important—but to a lesser degree—is your assessment of these claims (particularly of Matthews’s criticism).
· Clarity of expression is paramount. Aim to write simple, plain sentences. Avoid technical terms and jargon whenever possible.
· A good philosophy paper is not one whose conclusions the instructor agrees with, but one that is clearly and reasonably justified.
· Things that could affect your grade (by order of importance):
o Inaccurate, incomplete, or unfair presentation of the arguments under consideration.
o Lack of arguments; that is, lack of justification to support the claims you present (whether someone else’s or your own).
o Lack of clarity of expression.