Essay on plato , the apology

PHIL201 – Spring Semester 2020 Writing #1 (10%) – Guidelines

Due date of assignment (for UTR): Thursday, February 20, by 11:59pm via Turnitin.com only

Choose ONE of the following texts or pairs of texts:

1. Bertrand Russell, The Value of Philosophy 2. Plato, the Apology 3. Plato, the Crito 4. St. Anselm, ‘Ontological Argument’ and St. Thomas Aquinas, ‘The Five Ways’ text (2 texts)

Then discuss, in the form of a ‘loose essay’ (*), the following:

1. Of the texts we have looked at so far, which one had the most significant impact on your thinking/outlook and why? (INTRO paragraph)

2. Discuss the portions of the text/s, which you feel were most thought provoking, and then explain what these portions of the text ‘mean to you’, in your own words.

3. Lastly, what is the biggest ‘lesson’ you have learned from this/these text/s, and how does this lesson relate to your life right now? (Please be specific and be sure to speak about your life and your thoughts!)

*Writing structure: a ‘loose essay’, which means:

• Please write an INTRODUCTION which answers question #1 above • Then respond to the remaining questions using at least one BODY paragraph (it’s your choice how

many body paragraphs you include) Points given for:

• Answering all of the questions given above, while demonstrating a close reading of the text, engagement with ideas discussed during class time, independence of thought and an ability to relate the texts to your life (everyday life).

• Use of proper grammar, spelling, and syntax throughout your writing (also, proper citation of any quotes used in your writing from the main text itself, if you choose to quote anything directly; you don’t have to quote anything directly, though – careful/detailed paraphrasing is fine – but if you quote, be clear you are quoting and cite your source/s properly, using MLA, APA or other formal citation style)

Expectations:

• As this is quite a personal paper, you may of course write in the ‘first-person’ and use personal pronouns such as ‘I, me, and mine’. In fact, to answer the set questions that are quite personal, it would be nearly impossible to write without using such personal terms!

• Again, this is more of a ‘personal’ paper and NOT a research paper. I do not want to see any ‘outside’ research reflected in the writing of your paper. The most important preparation will be READING the texts concerned, reviewing your class notes, and thinking for yourself about what you have read/discussed. This personal reflection and close reading is what is being graded; including research from outside the text will not be meaningful for this assessment.

• Word length expected: certainly, no less than 2 pages and no more than 3 pages (approx. 800-1200 words)

• Use standard fonts/sizes (11 or 12 pt) and normal margins; no double-spacing (single or 1.5 spacing only) • When submitting on Turnitin, just make sure your name and class name/section are on page 1; NO title

page is needed. • Turnitin login details will be shared with you soon via Blackboard! Make sure your account is

active/ready for submission.