Assignment:
Please choose ONE of the following paper topics. Papers should be 6-8
pages in length, due by
Saturday,
December 19 at 11am (the scheduled exam time is 12/19, 9-11am).
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
Wednesday, December 16. 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. Choose ONE of the views of Universals we discussed in class
(Primitive Natural Class Nominalism, Resemblance Nominalism, the Bundle
Theory, Universals as Attributes, Tropes). Carefully explain the view
and lay out any arguments in favor of the view. Is this view
satisifying? Why or why not? Present at least one argument against this
view. Discuss.
2. Create a dialogue where you discuss at least two of the views of
Universals. Make sure that in the course of the dialogue you address
arguments for and against the relevant views.
3. Discuss the Identity of Indiscernibles. Why is this principle
controversial? Make sure to discuss the Max Black case. How does this
controversy affect the issue of Universals? Discuss.
4. Take any one of the views of Universals and compare it to any other
view (of any other topic) that we discussed in class. Make sure to
discuss how the moves in each are similar, and whether the arguments
rasied against each are similar as well. Should the plausibility of one
mirror the plausibility of the other? Why or why not? Discuss. (Note:
this is a fairly meta-metaphysics topic. Come see me if you would like
help thinking this one through).