Paper Topics II
for
Knowledge and Reality

Philosophy 120
Sections 1 and 2

Assignment: Please choose ONE of the following paper topics. Papers should be 4-6 pages in length, due Thursday, April 22 at 5:00pm. I am flexible about paper topics and length only if you discuss it with me first. Rough drafts are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. I will be accepting rough drafts no later than Tuesday, March 20. Also, drafts will only be accepted in person, so please make an appointment to see me. No late papers will be accepted. Electronic submissions required; additional hard copies optional. Go here for some advice on writing a philosophy paper. Please email me or talk to me if you have any questions.

1. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Cosmological Argument for the existence of God (Aquinas' Argument from Causation). Do you think that this is a valid argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.

2. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Teleological Argument for the existence of God. What kind of argument is this? Do you think that this is a strong argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.

3. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Ontological Argument for the existence of God. Do you think that this is a valid argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.

4. Explain Pascal's Wager. Is this a good reason to believe in God? Why or why not? What assumptions does this argument make about beliefs? Do you think this assumption is right? Why or why not? What is one of the most challenging objections to Pascal's Wager? Is there a response to this objection? Discuss.

5. Lay out and discuss the Problem of Evil. What are some of the inadequate responses to the problem, and why are they inadequate? Explain what you think is the best response to the problem of Evil. If you would like, discuss in detail the free will response (you can leave out discussion of the other responses if you choose to write on this).  How is Free Will supposed to solve the Problem of Evil? Do you think it is a good response? Why or why not? Discuss.


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