In Description

The assignment for the first essay is to respond to one of the following prompts, asking you to analyze an argument of your choice in the debate between empiricism and rationalism.

What is the best argument for rationalism?

Explain the argument in detail, listing the premises and saying why the rationalist thinks we should believe them. Is the argument inductive or deductive? Explain. How would an empiricist attack this argument? Can the rationalist successfully defend the argument against this attack?

What is the best argument for empiricism?

Explain the argument in detail, listing the premises and saying why the empiricist thinks we should believe them. Is the argument inductive or deductive? Explain. How would a rationalist attack this argument? Can the empiricist successfully defend the argument against this attack?

NOTE WELL: I am not asking for a brief summary of every idea that you encountered on this topic. The resulting paper would be “a mile wide and an inch deep.” You should select what you think is the strongest argument and most centrally important ideas. Aim for focused and deep discussion of that material, ideally incorporating your own reactions into the discussion.

An adequate analysis should be a minimum of three complete, 12 pt, Times New Roman, double-spaced pages of writing. Your essay should include proper references to course materials, and demonstrate how you have developed and defended your thoughts in response to the various positions we have encountered in the readings and videos. Defend the view you find most plausible.

An analysis of an argument not a story about how you, personally, came to hold the view that you hold. An analysis should aim to persuade the reader, who may not share your personal history, to accept or reject the soundness or strength of the argument on the basis of reasons that appeal to the broadest audience possible. This essay should be about the evidence for the premises of the argument you choose to analyze, not the psychological causes of your beliefs.

Good responses will show thoughtful engagement with the course materials, so be sure to make explicit references to the course media. You should review discussion posts, yours and others, reread, and rewatch where appropriate, in order to marshal support for your chosen thesis. In addition to explaining points contained in the videos, you should expand on them with your own ideas and examples.
Your essay should properly quote, paraphrase, and cite the sources that you use, and you should include a works cited page. I don’t care what citation style you use. Just pick one and stick to it. A tool such as citation machine may be helpful. You do not need to do any research beyond the texts and videos assigned for the course.

The penalty for plagiarism will be a zero for the assignment, whether you claim the plagiarism was inadvertent or not.