1. Philosophical Essay–You will write a two-part 6- 8-page essay using our Library Guide for PHIL101 and ourOnline Library to answer one of the following questions:Consider the following philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” (1) How is this philosophical puzzle an epistemological problem? And (2) how would John Locke answer it?Evaluate the movie, The Matrix, in terms of the philosophical issues raised with (1) skepticism and (2) the mind-body problem. Explain how the movie raises questions similar to those found in Plato’s and Descartes’ philosophy. Do not give a plot summary of the movie – focus on the philosophical issues raised in the movie as they relate to Plato and Descartes.Socrates asks Euthyphro, “Are morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they morally good because they are willed by God?” (1) How does this question relate to the Divine Command Theory of morality? (2) What are the philosophical implications associated with each option here? Summarize the problem of evil and critically evaluate how it is said to undermine the traditional characteristics of God.Explain (1) the process by which Descartes uses skepticism to refute skepticism, and (2) what first principle does this lead him to? (3) Explain why this project was important for Descartes to accomplish. Part 1: At the end of week four youwill turn in (1) a clearly articulated thesis statement, and (2) a selectedlist of appropriate sources using our Library Guide for PHIL101 and ourOnline Library, as indicated below:1. Identifyat least one encyclopedia, or similar work, providing a big picture overview ofkey issues your topic needs to address.2. Identify at least one secondarysource, an interpretive work, addressing your topic which was written bysomeone other than the philosophers identified in your topic.3. Identify at least one primarysource, from a major philosopher identified in your topic choice. Be sure thatthe primary source selected pertains to the issues raised by your topic. 4. Identify at least one journalarticle database, available in the APUS Online Library, where contemporaryphilosophical articles pertaining to your topic, can be located. Explain briefly how the content ofeach source will assist you with your Philosophical Essay Assignment. Provide acomplete reference in MLA style for each work, 1-3, selected.-Continue to next page for an example of what is due at week four – The following is anexample (do not copy and use) of what is due at week four: Thesis Statement: In this essay I evaluate the philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” In my evaluation I explain that this question raises the epistemological problem of how a subjective experience, such as sound, relates to what can be known of reality. I demonstrate that this question is a puzzle because it exposes the limits of what we can claim to know based on sensory experience. Lastly, I will explain how the empiricist, John Locke, would evaluate and answer the puzzle. Resources: 1. Encyclopedia or similar comprehensive works: Kemerling, Garth. “John Locke: The Origin of Ideas.” Philosophy Pages. Britannica Internet.2001. Web. 1 Mar. 2009. http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4l.htm This source is a quick introduction to Locke and his philosophical perspective and introduces the main themes in his work, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. It will also help me understand the more complicated aspects of Locke’s epistemology that I’ll be reading to write my essay. Uzgalis, William. “John Locke: The Limits of Human Understanding.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2007. Web. 1 Mar. 2009. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/#LimHumUnd/ This source presents a much more detailed analysis of Locke’s epistemology from his work, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. 2. Secondary sources: E.J. Lowe. Routledge Philosophy Guide Book on Locke: On Human Understanding. New York, NY : Routledge, 1995. NetLibrary. 2002. 1 Mar. 2009 http://www.netlibrary.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=73470 This source provides me with a comprehensive discussion of John Locke, the person, and the arguments he puts forth in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. It will also help me understand the book as it relates to historical events and ideas. Additionally, it identifies arguments from the work’s supporters and critics. 3. Primary sources: Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Kitchener, Ont.: Batoche, 2001. Ebrary. 2005. 4 Oct. 2010. http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/lib/apus/Doc?id=2001993 This is Locke’s own writing which allows me to read how Lock perceived the problem of knowledge, experience and sensation in his own words. 4. Journal article database: EBSCO’s Academic Search Elite This is a searchable database of scholarly articles from many academic disciplines, including philosophy. I can use it to find contemporary scholarly articles pertaining to epistemology, perception, and Locke. It also contains the full text of many of the articles.
Europe(Continental)