Introduction to Philosophy

Paper 2
Due: Saturday, October 15 (by 11:59pm) on coursden
Task: Answer the following question in 3-4 pages OR create your own question about the topic
of free will and answer it (subject to instructor approval). Submit your paper to coursden by
11:59PM on Saturday, October 15.
In his article, The Illusion of Free Will, Holbach argues that we lack free will. Do you agree with
Holbach? Why or why not?
In answering this question, you need to do the following:
I. Explain Holbachs argument
Make sure your explanation of Holbach view at least answers the following questions:
(a) How does Holbach think of freedom? Explain.
(b) Why does Holbach believe we lack freedom?
II. Evaluate Holbachs argument
Make sure your evaluation of Holbachs argument addresses the following questions/points:
(c) What is the best objection to Holbachs argument? Be sure to specify how this is an
objection to his argument and its overall effect on his argument. You should also say if
the objection works, how it would affect Holbachs argument. E.g. what specific claim of
Holbachs does your objection target? If correct, would your objection completely defeat
Holbachs argument? Would he only have to modify his claims in response to your
objection?
(d) How would Holbach (or a defender of his view) respond to this objection?
(e) Is this response successful? Why or why not?
Format: Your paper should be 3-4 pages, double spaced, with 1-inch margins all around. Please
do not single space or use margins smaller than 1-inch. You do not need to include a works cited
page if you are just citing from our textbook. In that case, just include the page numbers in
parentheses after the material you cite. If you cite works besides our textbook, you need to cite
them either in MLA or APA format, and include a works cited/references page. See the syllabus
for examples of plagiarism, and ask me if you are unsure if you are plagiarizing. A good rule of
thumb is that you need to cite anything that is not common knowledge.
Audience: You should assume that your reader is an educated peer who has never encountered
these particular arguments or thought much about knowledge or philosophy. You will need to
explain the key ideas and arguments thoroughly.
Grading:
Your paper will be graded according to the rubric below. Your grade for this assignment as a
whole will be comprised as follows:
Final draft of your paper
/95
Conference/conference plan
/5

Grading Rubric for Paper 2

Thesis Statement and introduction
The paper has a short, concise introduction which tells the reader exactly what the author will
discuss in the paper, and in what order. The paper has a well-developed thesis which is clearly
stated in the introduction, and supported throughout the paper.
/10
Clarity of Explanation
The author explains the argument/view in question in (accurate) detail, giving examples when
appropriate.
/35

Clarity of Objection and response

The author offers a compelling objection to the argument/view under consideration, and offers a
thoughtful, well developed response to it.
/45
Clarity of Language
The authors word choice and sentence structures are clear, and the paper has few (if any) typos
and grammatical errors.
/5

Total:

/90 + /5 =