Description
Description
The final will test your knowledge and comprehension of the material from the first half of the term. Please read the instructions carefully. Be aware that once you click to proceed, the test will begin.
Instructions
Pick two of the following three questions and answer them in two separate essays. Be sure that each essay answers the question directly, explains your answer and includes examples to help illustrate your understanding. You do not need to include quotations or references or anything outside of the readings, lectures, and videos. Essays should be roughly 300-400 words each and you will have 120 minutes to answer both questions. Use your time wisely.
What I am looking for
For this assessment you will be answering two questions in an essay format (separate essays). I will be looking primarily for four things: First, that you are answering the questions directly and not just writing everything you know about the subject. This means you will stay focused on answering the question and only include information that addresses the question. Two, that you provide relevant examples from the lecture videos or readings that support your position. Three that you explain and provide examples about why the position you have chosen is problematic in relation to everything else discussed in class, but why your think you position is ultimately the correct position. And four, that you write in a structured way – meaning that paragraphs and thesis statements (especially thesis statements) are adequately used.
You do not need to quote or bring in outside research to answer any of the questions and you do not need to reference anything from the book or the lecture. That being said, you may not simply copy and paste excerpts from the book (I will know if you do).
Below is a sample question and answer that received 44/50 points (B+):
Question
“Descartes comes to the conclusion that “there are no reliable signs by which I can distinguish sleeping from waking.” What considerations lead him to this conclusion? Explain.”
Answer
Descartes comes to the conclusion that he cannot see the difference between sleeping and walking because of was deceived by his dreams. His dreams had convinced him that he was wearing a dressing gown, while sitting before the fire, although he was undressed and in his bed under the covers.
He’s been deceived by his dreams before so he comes to the conclusion that his dreams feel as real as real life and can no longer feel and see the difference. In Meditation I, Descartes says “Suppose, then, that I am dreaming. Suppose, in particular that my eyes are not open that my head is not moving, that I have not put out my hand.” He now doubts his sense because of his experience. Since his sense have deceived him before he now thinks that his senses are beyond repair.
Descartes questions his beliefs and if what he believed is true was even true. Such as god, he questions if he is the one who has created his thoughts or if it was god. Descartes searched for something he can be sure of that is real in existence.
He sees everything as being unreal and is uncertain of what is true and not true. His mind takes over and he no longer thinks his thoughts are real. He says “I’m surprised by how prone my mind is to error.” Descartes even questions if he is a human or possibly an animal. Descartes wants to know something does exist.
Descartes manages to put himself back together mentally when he finds the difference between physical objects and objects just being visible, such as the power of imagining an image. He knows he is real and that the mind has a strong power that can make you see things that are not real.
Feedback
This answer needs more organization and less grammatical errors. There seems to not be much reason for the distinction in paragraphs and is sometimes difficult to follow what the writer is getting at. There is also a lack of examples to help illustrate the understanding of what is being explained. The author however provided clear answers to why Descartes comes to the conclusion that he does, and explains the relevance of such a conclusion on our understanding of knowledge.
The following is the question:
1. In your opinion, what is the best compatibilist argument for overcoming the consequence argument? Explain.
2. What do Frankfurt Cases express about the nature of free will and moral responsibility? Explain.
3. Which of the theories that we looked at in class best resolves the Ship of Theseus dilemma? What are the weaknesses to this theory?
Choose two question to answer is fine.
