- The 3 Topics are
Mind and Body, Free Will, Appreciating Beauty
Unit 4
The first steps in the development of your personal philosophy project are to select the issues you will discuss and begin locating sources of information about them.
The card sort activity in this unit’s studies should help you to focus your attention on a handful of philosophical issues that matter to you. The final paper will require you to write in detail about three issues. At this stage of the process, it is not a bad idea to choose a couple more issues as backups in case you encounter difficulty with your initial choices. You will want to pick issues that really interest you, but do not worry if you are not sure what position you will defend in each case. As the project continues, you will have plenty of time to think through each of the alternatives thoroughly.
Next, for each of the three issues you will explore, locate five or more sources of information on which you can depend as you develop and defend your position. You will want to include several of the required readings from our textbook, but at least one of your resources on each topic should be from an outside source. Capella librarians have prepared a special resource page to assist you in finding appropriate materials, included in the Resources. Please be sure to include complete references for these external resources, so your instructor can locate them and comment on their appropriateness for the project.
Finally, begin to think about how these components fit together within a coherent account of human life. Your own approach to life may have many diverse elements, but the positions you hold on these three issues must be consistent with each other. Consider how your stance on one topic affects those you must take on the others. Look for potential conflicts, and examine possible ways of resolving them.
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: Follow current APA style and formatting guidelines. Pay particular attention to citations and references.
- Number of resources: For each topic, five or more, at least one of which is external.
- Length: Approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced in Microsoft Word.
- Font and font size: Arial, 12-point.
Second Assignment.
Unit 7
Your task this week is to compose a detailed outline of your personal philosophy paper and to submit a complete draft of one of its sections.
You are welcome to draw up your outline in any form you have found most useful for your own writing process. Begin with a clear statement of your conception of what it is that gives human life meaning and significance. Then, list the positions you hold on each of the three issues you selected in Unit 4 and explain how you will defend them. Finally, show how these components fit together to form a coherent philosophy and reflect on the value of philosophical reasoning in practical life. The outline must include sufficient detail to indicate clearly how you plan to satisfy all of the requirements for the final paper.
In addition to the outline for the entire paper, this week’s submission should include a draft of one of the three substantive sections: Explain the philosophical issue you have selected, state your own position on the issue in contrast with alternative views, defend your view with clear and logical reasoning, and respond to likely objections. This draft should be thorough and complete. Your instructor’s assessment of what you write here will let you know exactly what you need to revise in this section and how you should proceed in writing the rest of your paper.
Although you will have another three weeks to write the final version of your paper, the further along you are at this point, the less you will have remaining to do.
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted according to APA (6th ed.) style and formatting standards.
- Number of resources: Your final paper must have a minimum of five.
- Length of paper: Approximately 900 words, typed and double-spaced in Microsoft Word.
- Font and font size: Arial, 12-point.