Classical Buddhist Philosophy

Fall 2015
Final short paper (due Dec 18)

For the last regular paper assignment, write at least four full pages (youre welcome to write as
long a paper as you want beyond that) on any philosophical topic relevant to this course. This is
your chance to further address any number of subjects that we have and havent discussed in class.
Youre welcome to address subjects already discussed in previous assignments as long as your
paper covers genuinely new ground (and does it for at least four pages). Further constraints:
Your discussion should argue for a thesis. That is, it should ultimately support a single idea
or proposition that you consider true or at least rational to believe in light of various further
considerations that will figure in your argument as premises in support of your thesis,
which is in effect your conclusion. A thesis can be either positive or negativei.e., it
could take the form of arguing either for or against a particular idea, theory, etc. (Weve
considered many arguments that offer positive support for Buddhist ideas, but an argument
like that of John Horgan about why he doesnt believe various Buddhist teachings is fair
game too.) For useful advice about how to do this (whether in a philosophy class or
anywhere else) see the Moodle reading How to Write a Philosophy Paper by Robert Paul
Wolff. In grading papers, Ill assume everyone has read this.
Your argument for your thesis should include a serious consideration of at least two
opposed perspectives on your subject, and your thesis can serve as your defense of one of
those perspectives. For example, if youre writing about whether its rational to believe in
some version of the idea of reincarnation, give equal time to arguments both for and against
this idea (or, in some cases, to arguments for and against specific interpretations of this
idea).
You should draw upon (and show you have closely read and thought about ) at least (i) one
sutra from the Buddha and (ii) two substantial readings from all of our required or
nonrequired course materials by scholars of or commentators on Buddhist ideas, whether
they be book chapters, Moodle articles, or online articles. Substantial here means more
than just a few pages.
Writing: Be sure to put your paper through at least two drafts. Proofread for elementary
grammatical correctness as well as expository clarity. And use a formal citation method that
includes footnotes or endnotes. I dont care which one you use (eg Chicago, MLA), but use it
correctly and consistently.

In class on Friday Dec 4, Ill go around the room and ask everyone what topic they are writing on.
Between now and then Im happy to discuss possible topic ideas with you and suggest useful
readings if you like. If you give it some thought, Im sure youll find a topic that connects some some
key Buddhist ideas that really grabs you, either as a positive resource for your own philosophical
thinking or as something to argue against. Even if you agree with various figures on our syllabus
including Thich Nhat Hanh, Eugen Herrigels Zen archery teacher, and Sam Harristhat we need to
learn how to attend more fully to the present moment, we also still need to plan wisely for the
future. So now is the time to be thinking actively about your topic, taking notes, and beginning a
first draft!