TERM+PAPER!

The project counts for 10% of final grade. Length: 750-1000 words, give or take 10%.
 * Philosophy 101 Term Project: Instructions **

Find a philosophical question that means something to you personally, learn what at least four of the greats have thought about it, and then decide what you think about it. Typed double spaced. Possible topics include the Big Three (see below).

**There is a soft deadline and a hard deadline.** **The soft deadline is MONDAY MAY 11, the next to last class meeting before the final exam.** **The hard deadline is MONDAY MAY 18, at the final exam meeting.** **Turning the term paper in at the soft deadline means you get it back graded at the final.** **Turning it in at the final means you only get it back if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.**

Proposal was due **Feb. 18.** Outline (change of date) **March 9;** must include all sources you plan to use. Sources must be listed in MLA format. Do not include the textbook as a source. __20% off project grade if proposal or outline are not turned in.__

In your Proposal, c hoose one of the first seven philosophical issues below, OR submit another question, such as the ones listed under "Other Possible Topics." For your paper, find comments on it by __at least four of the philosophers in the textbook.__ See the wiki tab “Philosopher Overviews” and also look them up in the Index of the textbook. A philosopher must be in the textbook and/or in the Philosopher Overviews list in order to count as one of your four, unless you clear them with the instructor when you turn in the Proposal. Include quotations from at least 2 or 3 sources about your philosophers beyond the textbook.
 * Topic Choice **

My subject shall be: Three possible questions about my subject I shall attempt to answer: Two (or more) of the four philosophers I’ll include:
 * Format for proposal ** :

My subject shall be: One to three questions about my subject that I shall attempt to answer: Tentative short answers to each question: The four philosophers I’ll include: My tentative conclusion shall be: My sources, in MLA format, are listed here:
 * Format for outline ** :

In the upper right, type your name, Philosophy 101, the name of the assignment (Outline or Final Paper) and the date you turn in the assignment. Allow 1” margins all around. and ask a tutor to review it with you. Each error in grammar, spelling and punctuation takes 2 points off your grade, or more, depending on how serious the error is.
 * For the proposal, outline and final draft: **
 * Note: Be sure to proofread the essay more than once, **

GOOD LUCK! I look forward to reading your paper.

__** The Big Three **__
 * 1. Does God exist? If so, what is God's nature? **__ A definition of God must start the paper. __

**2. Ethical relativism vs. ethical absolutism:** are there universal standards of right and wrong that should be accepted? Is each person the only decider on what is right and wrong for them? Do most people know the difference between right and wrong? Why? Because of their upbringing or because of something within?

**3. How free are human beings?** We are the only free creatures. Are we really free? What does "freedom" mean, philosophically? To what extent are our choices freely made, and to what extent are we conditioned and pre-determined by influences on us?

**The nature of consciousness,** as related to neuroscience and brain plasticity **The nature of existence and the future of science,** related to quantum phenomena **The future of economics and politics,** related to the phasing out of the corruption that causes violence and poverty **The future of social relations,** with the phasing out of anti-female gender inequality
 * __ The Bigger Four: Four Emerging Mega- Issues __**

For a corporate CEO who makes a profitable product that’s harmful – or a politician who makes war for profit – What are their possible thought processes, if they are not sociopaths?
 * For those writing on ethics **

Please note that it’s established that normal brain function includes moral and ethical sensitivity. A person who does not have this (serial killers, some politicians, etc) is not a normal human. Sociopaths who undergo brain scans are shown not to have this moral center in the brain.

Unfortunately many large and powerful institutions are influenced by sociopaths and their enablers. That’s why studies are published that go against the idea that human beings are naturally moral.

What is a philosophical definition of Love, and how does Love affect reality? Does the universe have a beginning and an end? What is the relation between metaphysics and quantum physics? What is Natural Law? Is reality itself moral? Is reality itself emotional? Why has philosophy been traditionally a mostly male occupation? How can various forms of feminism improve philosophy? Why has money become worshipped? What is Financialism and how can it be supported or criticized by philosophy? What is the noumenal realm of Kant? What is Anthroposophy? What is Self-Realization? What is the philosophy of pacifism? What philosophies contribute to the Occupy movement?
 * Other possible topics ** :

How can science become more philosophical?
(You can look under the __ "Philosophy Topics" __ tab at Buzzle.com for even more ideas.)

= Don't just Google your philosopher; use the websites below to avoid inferior sources. = = The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: [] = =** Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ** : [] = Note: this website seems to be down as of May 8, 2015. Use the Stanford above. =** Hippias Philosophy Search Engine ** : = http://hippias.evansville.edu/ = New url above; it's a little quirky, but just work with it. = I entered a philosopher's name and it said "no results," and then when I clicked "search" a second time, results came up. http://hippias.evansville.edu/ Another search site: http://philosophos.org/ = Use MLA format for quotations & List of Works Cited. Exception: when quoting the textbook, just type (Moore and Bruder) and the page number. __ **You must list the author (if available), publisher and main title of any website in the list of works cited; listing the URL alone is never acceptable.** __=
 * Quality Internet sources for quoting: **