Paper #2

Paper #2 is due the last day of class (Monday, May 7th). It's worth 15% of your final grade.

The assignment is to write an argumentative essay on the topic below. Papers must be typed, and must be between 900-1500 words long. Provide a word count on the first page of the paper. (Most programs like Microsoft Word & WordPerfect have automatic word counts.)

Explain and critically evaluate G.W.F. Hegel’s philosophical approach to epistemology.

(1) First, set the scene by explaining the traditional approach to epistemology that Hegel criticizes. According to Hegel, what mistaken assumptions do traditional philosophers like Descartes, Hume, and Kant make when they approach the study of knowledge? What does Hegel believe is wrong with these assumptions?

(2) Second, explain the theory of epistemology that Hegel offers to replace these traditional approaches. Why does Hegel focus on the historical aspect of knowledge? What is the dialectical process he describes? Explain Hegel’s notion of the Absolute.

(3) Third, explain the various criticisms of Hegel offered by the philosophers we’ve read throughout the second half of this semester. Be sure to explain the criticisms of Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Why does Marx dislike Hegel’s idealism? Why does Kierkegaard disagree with Hegel’s claim that it’s possible to come to understand the Absolute? Why does Nietzsche dislike the notion of an Absolute, and Hegel’s dependence on (dialectical) reasoning?

(4) Fourth, evaluate these criticisms. Which, if any, do you find convincing? Which, if any, do you find unconvincing? How might a defender of Hegel’s theory respond to these criticisms? Are these responses convincing?

Ultimately, do you agree with Hegel’s critique of traditional epistemology? Do you believe his historical theory of epistemology is accurate? Or do you think there is something wrong with his approach to the study of knowledge? Be sure to fully explain and philosophically defend all your answers.

Paper #1 Guidelines

Due Date: Monday, March 5, 2007

Worth: 10% of final grade

Assignment:

Write an argumentative essay on one of the topics below. Papers must be typed, and must be between 800—1200 words long. Provide a word count on the first page of the paper. (Most word processing programs like Microsoft Word & WordPerfect have automatic word counts.)

1) Should we trust our senses? Do our sense experiences accurately represent an external, physical world? First, briefly explain the different answers that the philosophers we’ve read (Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant) give to these questions, as well as their arguments for their answers. Then critically evaluate the answers and arguments that at least two of these philosophers offer. Finally, provide your own answers to these questions. (You can either side with one of the philosophers we’ve read, or provide an original argument of your own.) Ultimately, can we know that there is an external world? Why or why not? Be sure to fully and philosophically defend your answers.

2) Critically evaluate both the theory of pragmatism and the various theories of feminist epistemology we’ve discussed. First, explain each theory. What does each theory is said is required for knowledge? What do they say we can know? What do they say we cannot know? Then, evaluate these theories. Do they accurately describe what you understand knowledge to be? What do they get right? What do they get wrong? Are any of these theories successful accounts of what it means to know something? Be sure to fully and philosophically defend your evaluation.

3) Within the parameters of epistemological debates we’ve discussed in class, write on a topic of your choosing. (Sean must approve your topic by Monday, February 26th.)