Choose one of the assigned readings from our course and analyze the main argument from that reading (or if
there are multiple arguments, as in A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality, choose one argument to
focus on). This might be on the limits of knowledge, the existence of God, personal identity, or free will (not
poverty, since that section of the course was cancelled). Once you choose a reading, do the following in your
paper:
key terms and concepts. For example, you might say, In Human Freedom and the Self, Roderick
Chisholm seeks to show that libertarianism is true. Libertarianism is a view in the debate over free will
which says that . . . The free will debate is a sub-discipline in metaphysics which concerns . . .
Clearly state the argument (premise by premise and including the conclusion), then explain it in your
own words. Then, give some reasons in support of some of the premises in the argument. That is, you
should answer the following questions: Does the conclusion follow from the premises? What reason is
there for thinking the premises are true?
Respond to the argument you chose. That is, you should answer the following questions: Does the
conclusion follow from the premises? What premise(s) seem to you to be false and why. In doing this,
do not simply pick a premise and say that its false. Give a reasoned explanation for why you think its
false. Its okay if the reason you give is one that was discussed in class or is found on the lecture slides.
However, you should use your own words in giving your explanation.
Give your reasoned opinion of the argument. Do you agree with the argument or not? Do you agree
with the objection to the argument? Why or why not?