Phil1100 Introduction to Philosophy

Assignment 1
Answer one of the following questions.
Submit as a Word or PDF Document on Moodle by Oct. 8th.  Late penalty is 5% per day unless there is a documented medical excuse.

Be sure to cite all sources used. For readings assigned in the course, please cite in text. (Author’s last name, and page number). Sources that come from outside of the course are not required or even recommended, but if used must include a clear reference. Please use the following referencing system for outside sources,

1.Explain Descartes’ project in the Meditations. Explain the method Descartes will follow in the Meditations. State and explain the Sense-Deception Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to the Sense-Deception Argument? State and explain the Dream Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to it? Discuss a problem with Descartes’ response to the Dream Argument. Do you think one can tell with perfect certainty if one is dreaming? Defend your answer. State and explain the Deceptive God Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to this argument? Finally, explain (using your own example) why Descartes introduces the idea of a “malicious demon” at the end of the first Meditations.


2.Explain Descartes’ argument for the existence of God in Meditation 5. Explain Anselm’s version of the Ontological Argument. Discuss Gaunilo’s objection to the Ontological Argument. How might a defender of the Ontological Argument best reply to Gaunilo’s objection? Explain Kant’s objection to the Ontological Argument. Explain Paley’s argument for the existence of a Creator of Nature. Discuss two problems for Paley’s argument. In the final analysis, do you think Paley’s argument is strong? Why or why not?

3.State and explain the deductive version of the Argument from Evil. Explain this argument by giving examples of both natural and moral evil. Discuss three attempts to respond to this argument. Explain what the defender of the argument from evil will say in response to these arguments. In the final analysis, do you think the Argument from Evil is sound? Why or why not? Discuss a problem with your answer to the previous question. Explain how you answer that problem.





Assignment 2
Answer one of the following questions.
Submit as a Word or PDF Document on Moodle by Nov. 12th. Late penalty is 5% per day, unless you have a documented medical excuse.

Be sure to cite all sources used. For readings assigned in the course, please cite in text. (Author’s last name, and page number). Sources that come from outside of the course are not required or even recommended, but if used must include a clear reference. Please use the following referencing system for outside sources,


1.Drawing on Kagan’s book, Death, carefully explain Dualism, and carefully explain Physicalism. Excluding free will arguments, explain three arguments for Dualism. (One of these arguments for Dualism should be Descartes’ argument.)  Consider objections to these three arguments for Dualism. All things considered, do you think the case for Dualism or Physicalism is stronger? Defend your answer. Consider a problem with your defense, and explain how you will overcome this problem.


2.What is the problem of personal identity? Explain the best version of the personality view and the bodily view of personal identity?  Develop two objections to each view of personal identity. In the final analysis which view of personal identity do you think is strongest, and how would you respond to the major difficulties with this view. According to Kagan, using his example, explain why he thinks identity is not what matters in survival, and explain what does he think matter? Raise a problem for his view of what matters in survival.



Assignment 3
Answer one of the following questions.
Submit as a Word or PDF Document on Moodle by Dec. 10th. Late penalty is 5% per day, unless you have a documented medical excuse.

Be sure to cite all sources used. For readings assigned in the course, please cite in text. (Author’s last name, and page number). Sources that come from outside of the course are not required or even recommended, but if used must include a clear reference. Please use the following referencing system for outside sources,


1.According to Kagan, what makes death bad for the one who dies? Consider two major objections to this view that Kagan discusses.  Explain how he responds to each of these objections. Raise one other challenge to his view of what makes death bad for the one who dies. According to Kagan, would immortality be desirable?  Explain his argument for his view? Explain the memory loss/evolving personality argument for how immortality could be desirable.  Explain Kagan’s response to that argument. Discuss one important problem for Kagan’s response. In the final analysis, do you think an immortal life under ideal conditions could be desirable? Why or why not?

2.What is Kagan’s view on whether it is appropriate to fear death? Explain his argument for his view. Discuss an important problem for Kagan’s argument? How might Kagan best reply to that problem? What emotions does Kagan think are appropriate when thinking about one’s death? Explain. According to Kagan, how should the fact that you will die affect how you should lead your life? Do you agree with Kagan, if not, why not, and if so, how might you hope to implement those insights into your own life?