PH 125-2 Introduction to Philosophy

Winter 2023
Writing Assignment # 1: Topics & Guidelines

1. “As for those, then, who look at many beautiful things but do not see the beautiful itself
and are incapable of following another who would lead them to it; or many just things
but not the just itself; and similarly with all the rest—these people, we will say, have
opinions about all these things but have no knowledge of what their opinions are
about.” Plato seems to think that beliefs and knowledge are of very different things.
Can Plato’s distinction between reconciled with the value that Christians place in
‘faith’?

2. Socrates seemed to think that the wise person cares more for one’s own soul than
for one’s public reputation. Consider the article by Neil Levy and discuss the
contemporary issue of ‘virtue signaling’. Does genuine care of the soul require some
concern for how we appear to others? Does to whom we’re trying to ‘signal’ matter?’
matter? https://aeon.co/ideas/is-virtue-signalling-a-perversion-of-morality

3. In Greek mythology Zeus punishes Prometheus by unleashing ‘all gifts’ into the
world. ‘Hope’ somehow did not escape. How should this archetypal detail be
interpreted? Does famous Jewish Philosopher, Hannah Arendt, offer any insight? She
argues humanity can do with less hope! Consider the article by Samantha Rose Hill,
When Hope is a Hindrance https://aeon.co/essays/for-arendt-hope-in-dark-times-
is-no-match-for-action. Should Christians share Arendt’s perspective?

4. For millennia, Socratic method has meant dialectic: the give and take, the 'cut and
thrust' of conversation. Argument and counter-argument has characterized typical
(or archetypal) philosophical exchange. But some find this traditional approach too
combative, too aggressive, perhaps too masculine. Martin Lenz, 'argues' that
Philosophers and their traditional methods need new metaphors and new
approaches. What we need, Lenz ‘argues, is a more 'playful' approach to the
discipline. Can Philosophy genuinely adopt this kind of approach and remain truly
'philosophical'? Why or why not? https://aeon.co/ideas/the-adversarial-culture-in-
philosophy-does-not-serve-the-truth

Choose ONE of the above and present an argument.

• Feel free to draw into your paper ideas discussed in class, but don’t write your
paper from the perspective of a student in this particular class. In other words,
DO NOT say things like, “In class, Dr. Nickel said A, B, and C. This got me thinking
about X, Y, and Z.” Write from the perspective of any intelligent person
interested in thinking about things philosophically.
• Do not plagiarize; it’s wrong and you could get caught. (At least one of those two
considerations should deter you.)
➢ Due: Friday, FEBRUARY 10 @ 8:14 AM before class begins.
• 1200-1400 Words: Does not include footnotes or reference list. Put verifiable
word count at the end of your paper on the last page.
• Text pages must be numbered.
• Do not print back-to-back. You should have one page of text per sheet of paper.
• Do not include headings/sections/parts in your paper. The assignment is far too
short to break your paper into sections
• New paragraphs should be indented.
• You may italicize words for literary effect, but do not underline or put words in
bold type – as I do here!
• Neither title nor title page is necessary.
• Please put your name, class, and Question # in the header.
• Double spaced (not e.g., 1.25, 1.95, 2.5, etc.).
• 1 to 1.25 inch margins (2.5 to 3.0 cm).
• 12pt Font of New Times Roman, Cambria, Calibri, etc., or equivalent.
• Papers must be printed in black ink on white paper.
• Papers must be stapled. Paper clips are not sufficient. Do not use hole-punched
paper.

• Submission Procedure:
• Assignments must be submitted as a paper copy in class and also as an identical
electronic e-mail attachment to knickel@ambrose.edu .
• E-mail attachments must be properly named: e.g., “PH 125-2 Last name, First
initial, 1”. The subject heading of your e-mail should match your attachment title.
• I will submit your assignment to “Turnitin” for originality assessment.
• Please submit a .doc or .docx or .pdf file . If you are a MAC user, please convert
documents to the appropriate PC format.
• Do not submit as a ‘Google Doc’, or ‘One Drive’ link. Save the attachment to your
computer and send as an independent attachment.

• Late Policy:
• Late submissions (i.e., submissions after 8:15 on February 10 will be penalized a
partial letter grade (e.g., a B+ paper becomes a B paper).
• A partial letter grade will be deducted for every 24 hour period the paper is not
submitted.
• An assignment of reasonable effort must be submitted to write the Final Exam.
• “On Time” submissions must be submitted in class before 8:15 AM on February 10.
Late penalties will be assessed on the arrival time of your e-mail submission.

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 • Extensions: Extensions are granted very infrequently and only for very good
reasons. Computer or other technological problems are not considered good
reasons. Extension requests must be made to me personally and in writing not less
than 72 hours prior to the submission deadline. Illness may justify an extension
request if it is accompanied by a medical doctor’s note of explanation.
• Be sure to keep backup copies of your paper that will enable you to write from
various locations and on various computers.

• Failure to comply with any of the format requirements may result in a

minimum of a 3-5% reduction in paper grade: e.g., a C+ paper will reduce to a
C or C- .

Citation Procedure
• Citation procedure must be consistent, efficient, and accurately facilitate the
confirmation of research sources. See Appendix B: Documenting your sources on
pages 145-160 in Writing Philosophy: A Guide for Canadian Students. (See Moodle)
Failure to cite sources accurately is a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is a
very serious academic offence and offenders will be punished to the full extent of
Ambrose policy.

FAQs
Is it okay to use “I”, as in “I argue” or “I think”?
➢ You may certainly write in the first-person; e.g., you may say things like “I will argue
that …” or “I believe that …”. Be judicious in this locution, however. The reader
should not be inundated with “I believe” or “I think”.
➢ While your paper has subjective origins you should avoid self-indulgence and
narrative self-expression. Do not tell personal anecdotes. Well placed thought
experiments are permissible provided they are used to draw out the intuitions that
advance your argument. Philosophy papers are not exercises in explicit self-
reflection.

Should I have external sources?

➢ You should give evidence that you understand the implications of sources used in
class. Citing them (e.g., Plato, Hesiod, etc.) would be appropriate. It may be in your
best interests to do some additional research and reading, but avoid the temptation
to merely ‘report’ on what you have researched.

Is it okay to cite Scripture?

➢ You may certainly quote the Bible. But don’t let your paper into a Bible study or a
devotional. Don’t be sentimental; be philosophical.

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What grade should I expect from this assignment?
➢ The average mark for a writing assignment of this nature is typically a C+, which
means ‘meets expectations’. Other things being equal (i.e., the paper is submitted on
time and meets format requirements) the most common causes of simply ‘meeting
expectations’ are: (1) failure to understand the basics of English grammar,
punctuation, and syntax, (2) lack of proof reading and revision (3) awkward
sentence and paragraph constructions (4) redundant and inefficient sentence and
paragraph constructions, (5) inaccurate and confused understandings of
philosophical views, (6) weak or nonexistent argumentation, (7) failure to address
the question.
➢ Keep in mind, that spell checking does not constitute proof reading. A few spelling,
grammatical, syntactical errors per page can easily result in a C paper. These
mistakes give evidence of a kind of carelessness that often sabotages otherwise
good work.
➢ C range papers that are otherwise adequately written can typically be categorized as
‘reports’. That is, they report or simply rehearse the views of others without
advancing a clear and independent argument. A well-written report is not a good
philosophy paper. Avoid simply stringing together quotations; I call these papers
‘necklaces’. Stringing other people’s ‘pearls’ together is not a good philosophy paper,
even if you have successfully avoided plagiarism.
➢ B papers are “good” papers; that is, they are generally free from spelling mistakes
and the English mechanics have no major problems, errors, or difficulties.
Summations of philosophical ideas (or philosophers and their philosophical ideas)
are generally accurate. Additionally, B papers (1) give evidence of clear
philosophical reflection and analysis and (2) attempt to advance a coherent
philosophical argument.
➢ A papers are “excellent” or exceptional papers. They are virtually flawless in terms
of the writing quality. Summations of philosophical ideas (or philosophers and their
philosophical ideas) are precise, concise, and insightful. They show exceptional
synthesis, analysis, and subtle reflection. They advance clear, compelling arguments.
➢ D & F papers: is it possible to fail this assignment? Yes! If you hand in a paper that
shows contempt for the assignment, contempt for a particular philosopher, or
otherwise shows you didn’t take the assignment seriously you may fail or achieve a
merely passable grade. Papers that are demonstrably short of minimum word-
count may also fail from lack of effort.

More Helpful Hints Copied/Modified from the Web

Your Introduction
Don’t begin your paper referring to the historical importance of your topic. A tell-tale sign of an
undergraduate writer is an introduction that starts with some grandiose claim about an issue’s
historical origins and importance—about how the question has “gripped human beings for
countless generations” or “since the beginning of time.” Avoid this temptation. Introduce your topic
directly.

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Be aware of your tone
Ornate, flamboyant, exceedingly expressive language is not a virtue in philosophical writing. A rule
of thumb to remember is: ‘Write as you would speak with intelligent friends or peers’. You should
also avoid being too colloquial, too familiar, and too cliché. Good academic writing avoids the twin
perils of being pretentious and being whimsical. See Rule 3-2 on page 46 of Writing Philosophy.

Be concise in your writing

Your philosophy paper should be as concise as possible. Make sure each one of your sentences is
doing some important work.

Avoid long quotations

In writing philosophy papers, you should generally avoid long quotations. Instead, paraphrase an
author’s point in order to demonstrate that you understand it. (If you do use quotes longer than,
say, three lines, single space the quote.)