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Problems of Knowledge

Philosophy 311
Winter/Spring 2007

7-9 pages

due dates:

Proposal: Monday, 23 April 2007
Final Draft: Wednesday, 2 May 2007

description of assignment:

Unlike the first essay, this assignment does not primarily involve giving any summary of other's viewpoints. Instead, the focus is upon developing and arguing for your own point of view on particular topic, in conversation with two or three other philosophers who also address that topic.

Thus, you will begin your paper by stating and arguing for a narrowly focused thesis regarding some aspect of epistemology that we have talked about during the course of the semester. It is important not only to state what you believe, but to give reasons for that belief in the form of a philosophical argument.

After stating and arguing for your point of view, you will then go on to interact with at least two of the essays in the text that also address your thesis, agreeing and/or disagreeing with their points of view. You will have to answer any challenges they provide against your view. You may also use these texts for the purpose of further explication and argument in favor of your view.

In either case, you need to make sure that you give due consideration to viewpoints at odd with and objections against your point of view. As before, the arguments you give against your own view will be given more weight in determining your final than what you say in favor of your own view. Acting as an effecitve advocate for what you disagree with is an important philosophical skill.

You are also free to draw upon sources outside of the texts you have read for this class, but no one is required to do additional research. Be sure to cite any sources that you use.

I would strongly suggest going back and reviewing the guidelines I gave for the first essay. Some further suggestions are implied by the evaluative criteria below.

criteria for evaluation:

  • Do you clearly and carefully state your thesis?

  • Do you provide adequate reasons, argumentation, and/or examples to back up your stated thesis?

  • Does it make proper use of citations, quoting material accurately, in a proper form, and only when helpful and relevant?

  • Do you go on to interact with two or three other philosophical perspectives in relationship to the thesis you are arguing for?

  • When interacting with other philosophers, do you capture what they argue and give it a fair interpretation?

  • Do you make proper use of citations, quoting material accurately, in a proper form, and only when helpful and relevant?

  • Is there evidence that effort was put into writing the essay in terms of adequately meeting requirements, clarity, and technical care (e.g., avoiding spelling and grammatical errors)?

  • Does the essay show that you understand the issue being addressed and its various assumptions and implications?

  • Are any disagreements clearly presented and insightfully backed up with argumentation, examples, and evidence?

  • Are agreements cogently justified by careful understanding and evaluation of the position?

  • Are both sides given due consideration, providing a balanced and fair argument?

  • Are your summary, arguments, and position organized clearly and in a logical way?

In order to get an "A" on this essay, you will have to do well in all of these areas.

possible topics:

You are free to write about any topic in epistemology that was presented by any of the essays we have read for this class. If you have any question about whether or not a topic is acceptable, feel free to talk to me about it beforehand.

I am requiring you to turn in an approximately one page (typed) proposal for your essay by Moday, 23 April 2007. In the proposal you must state your thesis, what main line(s) of argument you plan to give, and what texts you will interact with.