Final Argumentative Paper Three important sub-disciplines of philosophy are addressed in this course; ethics, epistemology, and religion. For this paper you will develop an argument that includes your own view on one specific topic relating to one of these sub-disciplines. A list of topics to choose from is listed below. It is recommended that you choose a topic to write on that you have already encountered, or that you have thought about previously. (One way of thinking about this is to think of an issue that worries you, interests you, or enrages you.) For instance, if you choose to write about whether children should be spanked (this is only an example), you would present the argument for spanking and against spanking; you would then state your position relative to this issue and defend your own view. You would also utilize the theories that we saw in the ethics chapter to provide support for your position, and draw on those theories to clarify the debate itself. You may choose a topic from ethics, epistemology, or religion, but you will need to make sure you do the following for whatever topic you choose: Identify the specific issue Make clear one basic dispute over this issue Clarify the arguments on both sides of the issue State which side of the issue you find to be better defended Explain why you find that side of the debate superior State your own view, and defend it with an argument Provide at least two references for each side of the debate In order to write a strong paper, you will need to clearly and specifically present both sides of the debate using at least five (5) academic resources in addition to the course text. . Possible topics: Ethics The death penalty Assisted suicide Reinstating the military draft Pornography Inheritance taxes School prayer Stem cell research Obligations to future generations Gay marriage Epistemology Is Astrology a science? Teaching evolution in public schools Confirming scientific hypotheses Are science and religion in conflict? The limits of skepticism What are the differences between the mind and the brain? Evaluating evidence and global climate change Is radical relativism defensible? Is there evidence for ESP (extrasensory perception)? Religion Do people need to prove that God exists? The ontological argument for the existence of God The argument from design and evolutionary theory Can one be moral and not believe in God? Can God and real evil be reconciled? Can I be certain I have a soul? Can strong determinism be justified? Does the Turing test challenge the uniqueness of human beings? Writing the Final Paper The Final Paper: Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (excluding the title page, reference page, etc.) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide. Must include a cover page that includes: Student’s name Course name and number Name of paper Instructor’s name Date submitted Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph. Must use APA style as outlined in the approved style guide to document all sources. Must include at least five (5) references (other than the textbook). Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.

Final Argumentative Paper
Three important sub-disciplines of philosophy are addressed in this course; ethics, epistemology, and religion. For this paper you will develop an argument that includes your own view on one specific topic relating to one of these sub-disciplines. A list of topics to choose from is listed below. It is recommended that you choose a topic to write on that you have already encountered, or that you have thought about previously. (One way of thinking about this is to think of an issue that worries you, interests you, or enrages you.)

For instance, if you choose to write about whether children should be spanked (this is only an example), you would present the argument for spanking and against spanking; you would then state your position relative to this issue and defend your own view. You would also utilize the theories that we saw in the ethics chapter to provide support for your position, and draw on those theories to clarify the debate itself.

You may choose a topic from ethics, epistemology, or religion, but you will need to make sure you do the following for whatever topic you choose:
Identify the specific issue
Make clear one basic dispute over this issue
Clarify the arguments on both sides of the issue
State which side of the issue you find to be better defended
Explain why you find that side of the debate superior
State your own view, and defend it with an argument
Provide at least two references for each side of the debate

In order to write a strong paper, you will need to clearly and specifically present both sides of the debate using at least five (5) academic resources in addition to the course text. .

Possible topics:

Ethics
The death penalty
Assisted suicide
Reinstating the military draft
Pornography
Inheritance taxes
School prayer
Stem cell research
Obligations to future generations
Gay marriage

Epistemology
Is Astrology a science?
Teaching evolution in public schools
Confirming scientific hypotheses
Are science and religion in conflict?
The limits of skepticism
What are the differences between the mind and the brain?
Evaluating evidence and global climate change
Is radical relativism defensible?
Is there evidence for ESP (extrasensory perception)?

Religion
Do people need to prove that God exists?
The ontological argument for the existence of God
The argument from design and evolutionary theory
Can one be moral and not believe in God?
Can God and real evil be reconciled?
Can I be certain I have a soul?
Can strong determinism be justified?
Does the Turing test challenge the uniqueness of human beings?

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:
Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (excluding the title page, reference page, etc.) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.
Must include a cover page that includes:
Student’s name
Course name and number
Name of paper
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
Must use APA style as outlined in the approved style guide to document all sources.
Must include at least five (5) references (other than the textbook).
Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.


Instructions:
Three important sub-disciplines of philosophy are addressed in this course; ethics, epistemology, and religion. For this
paper you will develop an argument that includes your own view on one specific topic relating to one of these subdisciplines. A list of topics to choose from is listed below. It is recommended that you choose a topic to write on that you
have already encountered, or that you have thought about previously. (One way of thinking about this is to think of an
issue that worries you, interests you, or enrages you.)
For instance, if you choose to write about whether children should be spanked (this is only an example), you would
present the argument for spanking and against spanking; you would then state your position relative to this issue and
defend your own view. You would also utilize the theories that we saw in the ethics chapter to provide support for your
position, and draw on those theories to clarify the debate itself.
You may choose a topic from ethics, epistemology, or religion, but you will need to make sure you do the following for
whatever topic you choose:
 Identify the specific issue
 Make clear one basic dispute over this issue
 Clarify the arguments on both sides of the issue
 State which side of the issue you find to be better defended
 Explain why you find that side of the debate superior
 State your own view, and defend it with an argument
 Provide at least two references for each side of the debate
In order to write a strong paper, you will need to clearly and specifically present both sides of the debate using at least five
(5) academic resources in addition to the course text. .
Possible topics:
Ethics
 The death penalty
 Assisted suicide
 Reinstating the military draft
 Pornography
 Inheritance taxes
 School prayer
 Stem cell research
 Obligations to future generations
 Gay marriage
Epistemology
 Is Astrology a science?
 Teaching evolution in public schools
 Confirming scientific hypotheses
 Are science and religion in conflict?
 The limits of skepticism
 What are the differences between the mind and the brain?2
 Evaluating evidence and global climate change
 Is radical relativism defensible?
 Is there evidence for ESP (extrasensory perception)?
Religion
 Do people need to prove that God exists?
 The ontological argument for the existence of God
 The argument from design and evolutionary theory
 Can one be moral and not believe in God?
 Can God and real evil be reconciled?
 Can I be certain I have a soul?
 Can strong determinism be justified?
 Does the Turing test challenge the uniqueness of human beings?
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
 Must be eight- to ten- double-spaced pages in length (excluding the title page, reference page, etc.) and
formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.
 Must include a cover page that includes:
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Name of paper
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
 Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
 Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
 Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
 Must use APA style as outlined in the approved style guide to document all sources.
 Must include at least five (5) references (other than the textbook).
 Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the
approved style guide.
Grading Criteria
Final Argumentative Paper
25 points possible
Content Criteria Weight
The student fully addresses all key elements listed in the assignment instructions, including an
explicit thesis statement
4
The content in the research paper is comprehensive, accurate, and well developed. 4
Arguments are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis; and are organized logically. 4
Writing Skills Weight
The paper has well-developed paragraphs with a specific and well-supported thesis statement. 3
The paper is grammatically correct, has two or fewer spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes.
The paper has no “run-on” or fragment sentences.
2
Research Criteria
Must include a Reference Page that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the
approved APA style guide.
2
The paper includes at least five (5) academic resources in addition to the course text. 23
Style Criteria
The paper is eight to ten pages, is double-spaced, excluding title page and reference pages, and
is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford University approved style guide.
2
The paper begins with a well written and cohesive introductory paragraph and concludes with a
cohesively written concluding paragraph.
2