Guidelines for Longer Philosophy Papers

This longer paper (8-11 pages in length) is due on the last day this class meets, Monday, December 13. The paper requires that you use at least three secondary sources; these sources can be either traditional print sources or the Internet. Read Guidelines for Writing the Philosophy Paper again in order to understand the differences between primary and secondary sources as well as the importance of proper documentation. Make sure that you understand how to document and cite sources properly in your paper. Remember, "plagiarism" is a crime! Consult a current grammar handbook or The MLA Handbook for Writers. If you consult Internet sources or other electronic sources, please read the MLA style for electronic sources to understand proper format for citing such sources.

Also, know the academic honor code as it is usually interpreted.

This paper can be on any topic you wish as long as it relates to something we have done or will do in class this semester. Just about any philosophical topic is fair game. Paper topics must be approved. Send your paper topic to the instructor by Friday, November 12 at DavidSalomon@bhsu.edu .

Some suggested topics (particularly related to our reading):

  • The Philosophy of Language in Plato
  • How Early Christianity Relates to the Thought Systems of Plato and Aristotle
  • "A Rose By Any Other Name": The Allegory of the Cave and Contemporary Philosophy
  • Individual Contemplation vs. Government Service: The Highest Good in Plato and Aristotle
  • Ethics? Who needs 'em!: On the Necessity for Virtue Ethics
  • Aristotle's Ethics and Its Influence on Alexander the Great
  • How Aquinas Reads Aristotle
  • On the Soul in Aquinas
  • Scholasticism and the Philosophy of Aquinas
  • Applying Aquinas' "Five Ways" to Modern Philosophy
  • Nihilism, The Twentieth Century, and You
  • What Did Neitzsche Inherit from the Greeks?
  • Christianity and/in Nietzsche
  • The Role of Knowledge and Truth in Nietzsche
  • Existentialism and Modern Art
  • A Reading of Art through Contemporary Aesthetics
  • The Philosophy of Performance Art

    These are few suggestions off the top of my head. You are encouraged to be both interesting and creative.