Friday, February 28, 2014

For Monday:
Please read and write a detailed, detailed, summary or outline by next Monday (3/3): Jim Pryor on how to write a philosophy paper; due via Turnitin:

http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Reading for Friday, 2/28,

The God decision


For Monday, read chapter 5 in the dialogue book on suffering. We will discuss this chapter and related issues and readings midterm week, including these readings: "A Tale of Twelve Officers" and "African-American Philosophy of Religion and the Many Problems of Evil"

Midterm writing essay, due Friday 3/7.

Short assignment: pick a different argument that what you discussed earlier and write a paper clearly stating and explaining the argument, some of the main objections to it, and whether the argument sound or not. Thus, a different version of this assignment, done in an even better way than before:

Your assignment is to clearly and accurately explain one of the arguments for God's existence discussed in these chapters, in a manner so that someone who was not familiar with these arguments would understand. You must also explain at least two objections and whether you think the argument is sound or not. 

Your writing must have these section in the paper; these sections must explicitly be in the paper


A Title (Give your paper an informative title)

I. Introduction
Use these exact words: In this paper, I will discuss the argument for God's existence known as _(give the name of the argument). I will first state the argument and explain each premise. I will then explain at least two objections to the argument. In my conclusion I will explain whether whether I think the argument is sound or not, which will involve explaining whether these objections are strong or not.   

II. The Argument

(fill in this section)

III. Objections to the Argument

(fill in this section)

IV. Conclusion



Monday, February 24, 2014

Please read and write a detailed, detailed, summary or outline by next Monday (3/3): Jim Pryor on how to write a philosophy paper; due via Turnitin:

http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

More assignments posted soon.

Questions from today:


1.  What is the point (or points) of this class? What are we trying to do?
2.  Should other people accept or adopt your religious beliefs? Why or why not?
3.  Should you believe your own religious beliefs? Why or why not? COULD there be someone who should not accept or believe his or her religious beliefs? Who, when, how, why?
4.  If you went to a doctor with some symptoms, would you want the doctor to diagnose you on the basis of good reasons and evidence? If ‘yes,’ do you think religious beliefs should be held on the basis of good reasons, evidence and so forth?
a.  Big question behind this question: what are good reasons anyway, what is good evidence anyway??
5.  Can religious beliefs be good or bad? Are religious beliefs good or bad? Or good and bad? In what way(s)? How so? For who? When? Where?­

“MORALLY GOOD AND BAD”   
OR PRUDENTIALLY..
VS.

INTELLECTUALLY OR “EPISTEMOLOGICALY” OR RATIONALLY GOOD OR BAD.. 

Monday, February 17, 2014

NEW DUE DATES; THIS WILL BE UPDATED IN TURNITIN ASAP THIS AFTERNOON. 

1. Ch. 4, "The Natural Order," is now due by this Wednesday, 2/19 by 11 AM.

2. Harvard writing book; first section 0-56;due on the Monday, the 24th by 11 AM.

3. New assignment, now due by Friday February 21 by 11 AM.

This might partially overlap with and build on your previous writings about Ch. 3, 4, as well as Ch. 2. 

Your assignment is to clearly and accurately explain one of the arguments for God's existence discussed in these chapters, in a manner so that someone who was not familiar with these arguments would understand. You must also explain at least two objections and whether you think the argument is sound or not. 

Your writing must have these section in the paper; these sections must explicitly be in the paper


A Title (Give your paper an informative title)

I. Introduction
Use these exact words: In this paper, I will discuss the argument for God's existence known as _(give the name of the argument). I will first state the argument and explain each premise. I will then explain at least two objections to the argument. In my conclusion I will explain whether whether I think the argument is sound or not, which will involve explaining whether these objections are strong or not.   

II. The Argument

(fill in this section)

III. Objections to the Argument

(fill in this section)

IV. Conclusion



(fill in this section)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Assignments

Reminders of assignments and new assignments:

1. The writing on Ch. 4, "The Natural Order," was due by Wednesday at 11. Due to the snow days, however, I'll extend the due date on that until Monday, Feb. 17. Due via Turnitin.

2. Due next Wednesday, February 19 [NOTE THE CORRECTION], detailed, detailed, detailed summary of the Harvard Writing book, pp. 0-56. The Turnitin slot is now open. 

3. New assignment, also due by Wednesday February 19.

This might partially overlap with and build on your previous writings about Ch. 3, 4, as well as Ch. 2. 

Your assignment is to clearly and accurately explain one of the arguments for God's existence discussed in these chapters, in a manner so that someone who was not familiar with these arguments would understand. You must also explain at least two objections and whether you think the argument is sound or not. 

Your writing must have these section in the paper; these sections must explicitly be in the paper


A Title (Give your paper an informative title)

I. Introduction
Use these exact words: In this paper, I will discuss the argument for God's existence known as _(give the name of the argument). I will first state the argument and explain each premise. I will then explain at least two objections to the argument. In my conclusion I will explain whether whether I think the argument is sound or not, which will involve explaining whether these objections are strong or not.   

II. The Argument

(fill in this section)

III. Objections to the Argument

(fill in this section)

IV. Conclusion

(fill in this section)

Friday, February 7, 2014

Assignments:
- due next Wednesday, February 19 [NOTE THE CORRECTION], detailed, detailed, detailed summary of the Harvard Writing book, pp. 0-56. Due through Turnitin.com

Monday: Ch. 3, the 10th: A Necessary Being.

Writing assignment:
What reasons in this chapter are given to believe that God exists? What objections are given?
What reasons in this chapter are given to believe that God does not exist? What objections are given?
Given everything in the chapter, what do you think of the arguments?
Due through Turnitin.com

Wednesday: Ch 4, the 12th: the natural order.

Writing assignment:
What reasons in this chapter are given to believe that God exists? What objections are given?
What reasons in this chapter are given to believe that God does not exist? What objections are given?
Given everything in the chapter, what do you think of the arguments?
Due through Turnitin.com

Friday: alternative events! No class!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Monday we discussed the first chapter on the burden of proof.
We had planned to discuss the second chapter, but I think we first need to understand

(1) the concept of necessary and sufficient conditions,
(2) conceptual analysis and
(3) an analysis of knowledge, especially insofar as this relates to the writing assignment below about rationality and religious belief, and the "A Right to be Wrong" reading.


Vocabulary Describing Arguments

Contents