Philosophy

Short Reflection 4 – see syllabus for due date (50 points)

Your paper must be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font (this will generate a minimum of 44 lines in a 2-page paper; the penalty is 1 point per every line short). NO first person references. You must include at least 3 works cited; one of the sources should come from either of your two textbooks by Mitchell. I require a title but not a title page; I do require that you properly cite your sources.

Choose any ONE of the following topics. Specify which prompt you are writing on, and include a clever title, to begin your paper (e.g. Prompt C: Pour Me Another, Vino Is Truth):

A. Critique David Hume’s essay Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (Readings From…6.1). What are the strengths of his argument? Are there weaknesses in his argument? How would his argument against conventional notions about the nature of God hold up today?

B. The African author S.A. Mwanahewa states the following about proverbs: “they provide moral lessons and serve as a challenge to make people think carefully and evaluate what they hear before accepting them” (Readings From…6.4, p. 197). Can proverbs be trusted as a reliable guide to life’s challenges? What value can be found in proverbs? Do you agree with Mwanahewa, or do we sometimes take proverbs for granted without adequately considering their meaning?

C. Friedrich Nietzsche believed the West had suppressed the passions (desire, impulse, spontaneity – things opposite of logic and reason). Why would he make such a claim? Is he correct? Explain why or why not. (See Roots pp. 328-330)

D. Compare and contrast Plato and Aristotle’s perspectives on art in Readings From…7.1;7.2. Whose perspective is more reasonable? Why? What should be concluded about the value of art?

E. A topic proposal from you (must be related to course material and must be approved by the instructor in advance).