Do human beings have a unique “essence” that makes us different from other animals? Does this unique essence lie in any particular trait/ ability/ characteristic, or various different, but related traits

Do human beings have a unique “essence” that makes us different from other animals? Does this unique essence lie in any particular trait/ ability/ characteristic, or various different, but related traits

Final Paper

 

Assignment Description:

Assuming your audience is a well-informed class member, your task for this paper is to write a thoughtful and rigorous philosophical essay. You will develop your point of view (or an original thesis) on the given topic and demonstrate why this thesis is worthy of acceptance by providing compelling arguments. You must also engage with the views of at least two philosophers we have discussed in class who address the given topic.

 

Topic:

Write an essay on human nature by considering the following questions: Do human beings have a unique “essence” that makes us different from other animals? Does this unique essence lie in any particular trait/ ability/ characteristic, or various different, but related traits (here you may discuss things such as human soul and its immortality, our ability to experience a unique sort of pleasure, human knowledge or intellect, our artistic existence or creative ability, freedom (the fact that humans have no pre-given “essence”) etc.)? What are the implications of this for how we should live and behave as human beings?

 

Essay Components:

Your paper must contain two halves. You must begin by stating your thesis in the first paragraph in very clear language. Do not start off with irrelevant statements (“Since the dawn of human civilization…”), but get to the topic of the paper right away. In the subsequent paragraphs of the first half of the paper, you must argue for your thesis by providing reasons (not other opinions or beliefs) for why and in what ways certain qualities, abilities or characteristics define human nature. If, for example, you think it is primarily our knowledge and soul that makes us unique, then you must consider what kind of knowledge we possess (Knowledge of reality? Of our death? Of merely the world of appearance? Of our own illusory projections? And so on) and the nature of our soul (Is it immortal? Can we have knowledge of our soul? Is it a different kind of substance than the body? Is it the same as our intellect? And so on).

(Note that your stance regarding human knowledge might have implications for your conception of the soul; so ensure that you are “consistent” regarding your views). Your thesis and argumentation should be your own or inspired by the philosophers and texts we have covered (every philosopher we have discussed, from Plato to Sartre, has various things to say about the given topic, and you must engage with the views of at least two of them). In either case, your analysis cannot be merely explicatory, but it should also interpret, connect and integrate the relevant philosophers’ views in order to present a coherent position.

 

In the second half of the paper, you must discuss the implications of having the particular kind of knowledge, soul, etc. that you have argued we do as humans for how we should live as human beings in today’s society. This is your opportunity to briefly critique some of the trends of our current society, which you perceive to be in conflict/ tension with your view of human nature (For example, how is knowledge understood today in our society and educational institutions? How does our commercial society conceive of soul, suffering and pleasure? What do we understand by freedom today? Is there anything problematic about the role we assign to art at the cultural and individual level? And so on). You should also comment upon whether and how our contemporary trends could change so as to enable a more genuine human existence in our times that is more consistent with our nature as human beings. Give reasons for your stance. This second half of the paper is the more creative part of your paper, which tests your ability to thoughtfully apply the ideas we have learnt in class to concrete issues pertaining to our society. So your goal should be to give well thought out and insightful responses. In terms of your grade, this second half is just as important as the first half of your paper.

 

Additional Instructions:

 

1. Thesis. For e.g., “In this paper, I shall argue that …” or “My thesis is that…” State your thesis clearly at the beginning of the paper.
2. Plan for the paper: How will the paper proceed? Identify beginning, middle and end of the essay.
3. Selective use of the first-person: State what you will argue or do, NOT what you believe. For example, “My argument is that…” “I shall demonstrate that…” NOT “My personal opinion is that …” or “I think Socrates’ ideas are good but too impractical for real life…” or “I am a devout Christian, so I reject Sartre’s views …”
4. Use of external sources: The use of Wikipedia, SparkNotes, etc. is prohibited.
5. Plagiarism: AVOID IT!
6. Citations: A works cited or bibliography page is required. Any citation style is acceptable as long as you are consistent throughout the paper.
7. Format:  Your paper must be 5-6 pages (1800-2000 words) in length (excluding Works Cited), titled, paginated, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and with one-inch margins on all sides. Please note the word count at the top left on the first page.

 

Submission: Your paper is due on Canvas at 5 pm on Wednesday, December 7^th.

            Late papers will be penalized 3 points for each day late.

 

Consultation: I am willing to give feedback on an outline of your paper (your outline should be no more than 1 page in length), if you submit it to me by 5pm, November 29th. I also encourage you to come by my office at any point if you want to discuss your ideas for the paper.

 

Grading Criteria (what makes for an excellent (“A”) paper):

 

• Clear thesis statement
• Proper use of citations (no excessive quoting, but using citations only when relevant and helpful).
• Very few or no grammar and spelling mistakes
• Good organization of the essay (essay shows focus and flows “smoothly” without much digression or abrupt transitions)
• Essay shows good understanding of the given topic and its various assumptions and implications
• Provides adequate arguments/ reasons/ examples to back up the thesis
• The accuracy or fairness with which the positions of the discussed philosophers are captured and interpreted
• The thoughtfulness and the creativity of the arguments of the second half of your paper