Modern PhilosophyPAPER

The Paper

Reading: Descartes’ First Meditation Thesis: “The purpose of this paper is to summarize and

critically evaluate Descartes’ skeptical arguments.” Issue: Do Descartes’ skeptical arguments justify the degree

of doubt claimed?Label the 4 sections Introduction

Summary

Argument

Conclusion

The Paper

Turning in the Paper Drafts

Printed Copy Final Version

BlackBoard Grade Discussion Plagiarism Formatting

Writing the Introduction

5 points 125 words or less. Content

Thesis

Summary Statement

Position Statement

Argument Statement

Minimal Background

Writing the Summary

Descartes First Meditation 45 Points 350 words+ Objective: summarize the text

Clearly Concisely Accurately In your own words.

Summary: Outline of Meditation 1

I First PartA. Start and Goal B. Method

II Doubting the SensesA. SensesB. Dream ProblemC. Painter Analogy D. Math-Skeptical Pause

III God and the DemonA. God B. The Demon

Grading the Summary Excellent Summary (A) (41-45 points) Good Summary (B) (36-40 points) Adequate summary (C) (32-35 points) Poor Summary (D) (27-31 points) Failing summary (F) (0-26 points)

Writing the Argument 45 Points 500 + words Position Statement

Issue: : Do Descartes’ skeptical arguments justify the degree of doubt claimed?

Writing the Argument Argument #1: Doubting the Senses

Position: Descartes’ argument succeeds.

Hint-Deceptive Senses Hint-Distrusting the

Deceiver Position: Descartes’ argument

fails. Hint-Critical Thinking Hint- Deceit Assumes Trust

Writing the Argument

Argument #2: The Dream Argument Position: Descartes’ argument

succeeds. Hint-Intuition Argument Hint-Standards

Position: Descartes’ argument fails.

Hint-Standards

Writing the Argument

Argument #3: God/Demon Argument Position: Descartes’ argument

succeeds. Hint-Dreamlike Hint-Memory Hint-The Problem of Evil

Position: Descartes’ argument fails.

Hint-Demon Odds Hint-Irony: Too Much Success

Grading the Argument Excellent Argument Section (A)

(41-45 points) Good Argument Section (B) (36-40 points) Adequate Argument Section (C)

(32-35 points) Poor Argument Section (D) (27-31 points) Failing Argument Section (F) (0-26 points)

Writing the Conclusion 5 points 125 words or less. Content

Thesis Summary Statement Position Statement Argument Statement Final Relevant Remark

Checklist & Comment Sheet Checklist Comment Codes