Description
It is a 2-5 page paper, MLA, based on why I think materialism is the best reality. All the details are down below and I also provided screenshots of our definitions of the metaphysical theories.
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Unit 1 Essay – What Is Really Real?
Due Date: Monday September 27
We have studied the three dominant theories that try to answer the question of what is really real, that is,
what actually exists. Those three theories are materialism, dualism, and idealism. We have also looked at the
arguments presented for each theory as well as the problems with each of them. Notice that these arguments,
although rational and logical, sometimes challenge our common sense. Be open to new views and go where
reason and the arguments lead.
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to explain and defend your preferred theory on the metaphysical
nature of reality through the writing of a persuasive essay.
Skills: By completing this assignment you will use philosophical reasoning to defend your chosen theory on
the nature of metaphysical reality as discussed in class lectures and discussions. You will also use critical
thinking to dissect the weakness in competing theories.
Knowledge: This assignment is also meant to fortify your knowledge concerning the three major metaphysical
theories: materialism, dualism, and idealism. In order to complete the assignment all three theories must be
assessed for strengths and weaknesses.
Task:
1) After considering all three metaphysical theories (materialism, dualism, idealism), choose the one that
you find the most philosophically convincing. (Which do you assess to have the best argument(s)?)
2) Use the following checkpoints to guide the structure your paper:
• Define the three competing theories and explain how they propose to answer the question of what
is reality.
• Fully define and explain your preferred theory. Be clear as to what the theory is proposing as the
truth about reality.
• Explain and analyze the arguments used to defend this theory. Be clear as to the reasoning steps
and logic used in the argument.
• Discuss the weaknesses inherent in the other two theories. (What concerns does your theory
answer that the other two cannot?)
• Discuss and answer some predicted objections to your theory.
3) Use the the terms and definitions that have been discussed throughout the unit.
Criteria for Success: A superior essay will introduce and define the three metaphysical theories (materialism,
dualism, idealism), identify which theory is most persuasive, then analyze and evaluate an argument(s) that
supports the theory while also analyzing and explaining the reasoning behind the arguments. It will also
outline the shortcomings with the competing theories. Finally, the essay should analyze, discuss, and respond
to objections to the preferred theory.
The essay should use standard writing conventions, be double-spaced, and be 2-5 pages in length.
Unit 1 Essay Rubric
Criteria
Excellent
(30-27 points)
Good
(26-22 points)
Developing
(21-1 points)
Unacceptable
(0 points)
Understanding
and
Explanation
Essay shows a deep
understanding of the
relevant metaphysical
question. Also shows
a deep understanding
of the proposed
theories as solutions
to the problem.
Essay shows a
general
understanding of the
relevant metaphysical
question. Also shows
a general
understanding of the
proposed theories as
solutions to the
problem.
Essay shows no
understanding
of either the
question or the
proposed
theories
Analysis and
Assessment
Essay exhibits an indepth analysis and
assessment of the
arguments. Strengths
and weaknesses of
the argument are
discussed in detail
and include all key
ideas.
Conclusions are
strongly supported
with philosophical
reasoning and
argumentation.
Essay exhibits a
general analysis of the
arguments.
Assessment of the
arguments may be
lacking some depth
and detail, or omit
key ideas.
Essay shows a
partial
understanding
of the relevant
metaphysical
problem. Also
shows partial
understanding
of the proposed
theories as
solutions to the
problem.
Essay exhibits
a shallow or
short analysis
of the
arguments.
Assessment of
the arguments
is minimal.
Conclusions are
offered some
support, but
support may be
weak or it may
not connect
logically to the
conclusion.
Major
supporting
arguments may
be left out.
Conclusions are
offered with no
support.
Philosophical
Reasoning
Conclusions are
generally supported
with reasoning and
argumentation, but
some supporting
arguments points
may be left out.
Essay exhibits
no analysis of
the arguments.
Points
Language Use
and
Organization
(10-9 points)
Writing is clear,
concise, and well
organized with
excellent
sentence/paragraph
construction.
Thoughts are
expressed in a
coherent and logical
manner. Few, if any
spelling, grammar,
and syntax errors are
present.
(8-7 points)
Writing is mostly
clear, concise, and
well organized with
good
sentence/paragraph
construction.
Thoughts are
expressed in a
coherent and logical
manner. A few
spelling, grammar,
and syntax errors
may be present.
(6-1 points)
Writing is
unclear and/or
disorganized.
Thoughts are
not expressed
in a logical
manner. More
than 5 spelling,
grammar, and
syntax errors
are present.
(0 points)
Writing is
unclear and
disorganized.
Thoughts
ramble and
make little
sense. There
are numerous
spelling,
grammar, or
syntax errors
throughout the
response.
Final Score (out of 100)
Unit 1 Essay – What Is Really Real?
Due Date: Monday September 27
We have studied the three dominant theories that try to answer the question of what is really real, that is,
what actually exists. Those three theories are materialism, dualism, and idealism. We have also looked at the
arguments presented for each theory as well as the problems with each of them. Notice that these arguments,
although rational and logical, sometimes challenge our common sense. Be open to new views and go where
reason and the arguments lead.
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to explain and defend your preferred theory on the metaphysical
nature of reality through the writing of a persuasive essay.
Skills: By completing this assignment you will use philosophical reasoning to defend your chosen theory on
the nature of metaphysical reality as discussed in class lectures and discussions. You will also use critical
thinking to dissect the weakness in competing theories.
Knowledge: This assignment is also meant to fortify your knowledge concerning the three major metaphysical
theories: materialism, dualism, and idealism. In order to complete the assignment all three theories must be
assessed for strengths and weaknesses.
Task:
1) After considering all three metaphysical theories (materialism, dualism, idealism), choose the one that
you find the most philosophically convincing. (Which do you assess to have the best argument(s)?)
2) Use the following checkpoints to guide the structure your paper:
• Define the three competing theories and explain how they propose to answer the question of what
is reality.
• Fully define and explain your preferred theory. Be clear as to what the theory is proposing as the
truth about reality.
• Explain and analyze the arguments used to defend this theory. Be clear as to the reasoning steps
and logic used in the argument.
• Discuss the weaknesses inherent in the other two theories. (What concerns does your theory
answer that the other two cannot?)
• Discuss and answer some predicted objections to your theory.
3) Use the the terms and definitions that have been discussed throughout the unit.
Criteria for Success: A superior essay will introduce and define the three metaphysical theories (materialism,
dualism, idealism), identify which theory is most persuasive, then analyze and evaluate an argument(s) that
supports the theory while also analyzing and explaining the reasoning behind the arguments. It will also
outline the shortcomings with the competing theories. Finally, the essay should analyze, discuss, and respond
to objections to the preferred theory.
The essay should use standard writing conventions, be double-spaced, and be 2-5 pages in length.
Unit 1 Essay Rubric
Criteria
Excellent
(30-27 points)
Good
(26-22 points)
Developing
(21-1 points)
Unacceptable
(0 points)
Understanding
and
Explanation
Essay shows a deep
understanding of the
relevant metaphysical
question. Also shows
a deep understanding
of the proposed
theories as solutions
to the problem.
Essay shows a
general
understanding of the
relevant metaphysical
question. Also shows
a general
understanding of the
proposed theories as
solutions to the
problem.
Essay shows no
understanding
of either the
question or the
proposed
theories
Analysis and
Assessment
Essay exhibits an indepth analysis and
assessment of the
arguments. Strengths
and weaknesses of
the argument are
discussed in detail
and include all key
ideas.
Conclusions are
strongly supported
with philosophical
reasoning and
argumentation.
Essay exhibits a
general analysis of the
arguments.
Assessment of the
arguments may be
lacking some depth
and detail, or omit
key ideas.
Essay shows a
partial
understanding
of the relevant
metaphysical
problem. Also
shows partial
understanding
of the proposed
theories as
solutions to the
problem.
Essay exhibits
a shallow or
short analysis
of the
arguments.
Assessment of
the arguments
is minimal.
Conclusions are
offered some
support, but
support may be
weak or it may
not connect
logically to the
conclusion.
Major
supporting
arguments may
be left out.
Conclusions are
offered with no
support.
Philosophical
Reasoning
Conclusions are
generally supported
with reasoning and
argumentation, but
some supporting
arguments points
may be left out.
Essay exhibits
no analysis of
the arguments.
Points
Language Use
and
Organization
(10-9 points)
Writing is clear,
concise, and well
organized with
excellent
sentence/paragraph
construction.
Thoughts are
expressed in a
coherent and logical
manner. Few, if any
spelling, grammar,
and syntax errors are
present.
(8-7 points)
Writing is mostly
clear, concise, and
well organized with
good
sentence/paragraph
construction.
Thoughts are
expressed in a
coherent and logical
manner. A few
spelling, grammar,
and syntax errors
may be present.
(6-1 points)
Writing is
unclear and/or
disorganized.
Thoughts are
not expressed
in a logical
manner. More
than 5 spelling,
grammar, and
syntax errors
are present.
(0 points)
Writing is
unclear and
disorganized.
Thoughts
ramble and
make little
sense. There
are numerous
spelling,
grammar, or
syntax errors
throughout the
response.
Final Score (out of 100)
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