PHILOSOPHY

I. Please answer any one of the following paper topics/questions.  If you want to write about any other 

topic/question listed below, you must clear it with me one week before the writing assignment is due.  

1. 

Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate

only the first version

of the Argument from Evil as 

discussed by me in class. Make sure your paper minimally addresses such questions as (a) why 

does the problem of evil arise only with a conception of the 3O God?  Why couldn’t the problem 

arise if one of the properties were removed? (This is part of the explanation); (b) What is a 

theodicy and how is it supposed to work as an objection to the argument from evil? (c) Do you 

ultimately think that the theodicy attempt to refute the problem of evil is successful?  Use 

Sober’s discussion in the evaluation process. Use plenty of concrete examples! 

2. 

Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate

Pascal’s argument for why, even in the absence of 

knowledge, one should believe that God exists. Your paper should minimally discuss (a) the 

distinction between evidential and prudential reasons for belief and whether belief acquisition 

can be successful on prudential basis alone; (b) Pascal’s actual argument for why is it 

prudentially better to believe in God than not (the detailed gambling process); and (c) some of 

the assumptions in Pascal’s argument. Use plenty of concrete examples!

3. 

Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate

The Ontological Argument for God’s Existence.  Your 

paper should minimally discuss (a) the distinction between a prior and a posteriori 

propositions;(b) the distinction between existence and essence; and the criticism discussed in the 

class.  Finally, you need to assess the theory by arguing either that the criticism of the theory is 

sound or cogent; or that there are good ways to respond to the criticism. Use Sober’s discussion 

of this as the basis of your evaluation.  Use plenty of concrete examples!

Your papers must be 5-6 pages long 

Word Documents

(1250-1500 words), 12” font, typed, double 

spaced, with 1”margings all around, and properly footnoted

1

(e.g. You must turn in both a hard copy in 

the beginning of class on the due date, February 21 and an electronic copy through Turnitin on the same 

day, February 21.

2

 Please put your name on the last page of the paper only! Late papers will suffer the 

penalty of a reduced grade (whether they are handed in late or electronically late). All papers will be 

checked for possible plagiarism through Turnitin, and any found to be in violation will be dealt according 

to the administrative guidelines outlined in the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. 

NOTE:  

You are allowed to use only your textbook for this class as a source.  No other sources are 

acceptable.

Using such sources will result in no credit for your paper.

1

Sober, Elliott. 

Core Questions In Philosophy

. New York: Pearson, 2013, p. 73.