Essay

All papers will follow similar directions. To help your papers, feel free to watch this second video on Kant and this outline for how to write a good philosophy paper. Don't plagiarize.

http://www.sfu.ca/philosophy/resources/writing.html (Links to an external site.) Here are your directions: Write an intro with no more than three sentences with one sentence being your thesis. This follows the same directions as last time. You have two options, Utilitarianism is true or it's not. You'll need to pick one. Your thesis statement also needs to state the fundamental reason(s) that make(s) you correct. A good thesis awards 20 points. Do not "fence-sit". Define your terms. Try to describe the differences between the two systems if you can. Email me if you have questions. You must also describe both Utilitarianism and Deontology in the ways they oppose each other. Both must be included, and you must include one particular philosopher and their unique understanding of ethics. Include examples. Good description awards 40 points. Argue. You will be evaluating those claims within Utilitarianism and Deontology, and supporting whatever reasons you've given for your claim. Support can be all sorts of things, but in general, the supports should be more obviously true to help walk the reader to the truth of your thesis. Do not use a shotgun approach to argument, where you take a thousand little reasons and hope they are strongest. The simple argument is the strongest, and you should build up to your conclusion from a strong foundation. Good argumentative form awards 40 points. Respond to objections and offer concessions. Specifically, in this section, I want you to focus on objections. Anticipate a point of disagreement and address it immediately. This strengthens your reasons for your position. Include concessions as applicable. Good objection anticipation awards 20 points. If you would like, you may have a concluding paragraph to summarize everything, but honestly, philosophical papers don't always need these. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Don't plagiarize. Don't even get close. Put quotes on anything that needs quotes. There should be about 4 pages (1000 words minimum ) for a good paper.