Take-Home Paper Assignment 1
I. Please answer any one of the following paper topics/questions. If you want to write about any other topic/question listed below, you must clear it with me two weeks before the writing assignment is due.
1. Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate the first version of the Argument from Evil discussed by Sober. Make sure your paper minimally addresses such questions as (a) why does the problem of evil arise only with a conception of the 3O God? Why couldnt the problem arise if one of the properties were removed? (This is part of the explanation); (b) What is a theodicy and how is it supposed to work as an objection to the argument from evil? (c) Do you ultimately think that the theodicy attempt to refute the problem of evil is successful? Use Sobers discussion in the evaluation process. Use plenty of concrete examples!
2. Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate Pascals argument for why, even in the absence of knowledge, one should believe that God exists. Your paper should minimally discuss (a) the distinction between evidential and prudential reasons for belief and whether belief acquisition can be successful on prudential basis alone; (b) Pascals actual argument for why is it prudentially better to believe in God than not (the detailed gambling process); and (c) some of the assumptions in Pascals argument. Use plenty of concrete examples!
Your papers must be 5-6 pages long Word Documents (1250-1500 words), 12 font, typed, double spaced, with 1margings all around, and properly footnoted.[1]You must turn in an electronic copy on Blackboard by midnight, October 11. (Rough publishs are welcome on first-come, first-serve basis so the sooner you send me one, the better the chance you will get revision suggestions. Also, I can only receive Word documents). Late papers will suffer the penalty of a reduced grade determined by me. All papers will be checked for possible plagiarism through SafeAssign, and any found to be in violation will be dealt according to the administrative guidelines outlined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. NOTE: You are allowed to use only your textbook for this class as a source. No other sources are acceptable.
[1] Sober, Elliott. Core Questions In Philosophy. New York: Pearson, 2013, p. 73.