Description
PHIL 103 Foundations of Philosophy Spring 2021/McGinley
Argument-Evaluation Paper
Topic: Your topic is Aristotle’s argument in Nicomachean Ethics Book I chapter 7 (pages 10-13). Your task is twofold: to explain the argument (as you did in your exegesis paper), and to evaluate it. What does “evaluate” mean? Very simply, it means to say whether the argument succeeds or fails.
Length: 700–900 words. Please place a word count at the end of your paper. You must submit it online through Canvas. Paper is to be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, font size 12 with standard MLA formatting. Consult your Little Seagull Handbook pp. 159-169.
Due: Wednesday, March 10 at 10:50am. You must upload your paper on Canvas.
Strategy: To determine whether Aristotle’s argument succeeds or fails, it will help to draw on some of what you learned in the logic unit of the course.
Identification
Once you have identified the argument’s thesis/conclusion, the next step is to figure out what evidence is being given for it.
What proposition(s) functions as the reason(s)/premise(s) of the argument?
Are there any premise or conclusion-indicator-words that express the relationship of the propositions to one another (see Morrow’s Giving Reasons page 23)?
Evaluation
Does the conclusion strike you as obviously false? Can you think of direct arguments against it? (This is one way to attack someone’s argument, although it’s always better if you can also spot a flaw in the argument given for the conclusion.)
Assess the strength of the evidence. Are all the premises reliable and relevant? Are the premises strong enough to support the conclusion?
Can you think of counterexamples that might falsify one or more of the premises?
Is there any flaw in the reasoning that the argument uses to get from the evidence/premises to the conclusion?
Does the argument fit any of the patterns of reasoning we have studied (modus ponens, generalization, argument by analogy, etc.)?
Are there any relevant objections or counter-arguments that may provide a challenge to the proffered argument? If so, is there a possible response to that objection? (Note: When evaluating arguments, you should get into the habit of thinking about them in three stages: 1) Original Argument; 2) Objections to the Original Argument; 3) Reply to Objections.)
Some things to bear in mind:
Proceed in an orderly way. Start with a little “stage-setting”: “In his X [work], Y [author] offers an argument that aims to Z [main point of the passage]”—that kind of thing. Then state your evaluative thesis. This is an evaluative paper which means you are making an argument about whether Aristotle’s argument succeeds. Be sure to state in your thesis whether and to what degree you agree with Aristotle. You will then want to explain Aristotle’s argument. Following this, you will make your objections to his argument. Then you will resolve the objections that you raise, if they can be resolved. Even if you are in full agreement with Aristotle, you must attempt to supply objections to his argument and resolve them.
Write in Standard Written English. Obey the rules of grammar, punctuation, etc. Your paper will be evaluated in part on the basis of how well it is written. Consult the Little Seagull Handbook or come and ask me if you have any questions about grammar or writing mechanics.
Make judicious use of quotation. The effective use of quotation is an art. Follow the Goldilocks principle: not too much, not too little. Focus on the bits that are useful to your purpose, leaving aside anything extraneous to it.
Document your sources. When you quote, paraphrase or summarize, make sure that your source is cited properly and that you have a properly formatted bibliographical (or “works cited”) list. Consult the Little Seagull Handbook for any questions you have about documentation, or ask me.
Details
Your essay must be submitted on Canvas at the time noted on Canvas.
Check the word count of your document to be sure you are within the word limit. Place the word count at the end of your paper.
Use double spacing and Times New Roman 12 font.
Reminders from the syllabus:
Generally, late papers are not accepted.
In the interest of fairness, I will be able to grant due-date extensions on writing assignments only in extraordinary circumstances. Requests for extensions must be made before the due date: barring extraordinary circumstances, assignments submitted after the due date and time without prior approval will be considered late and will be subject to the lateness penalty described above. Remember that computers and printers are subject to failure; prepare yourself accordingly. Such failures do not count as legitimate excuses for late work.
STUDENT-ATHLETES are expected to adhere to the same policies and due dates as the rest of the class and should make every effort to submit their assignments before leaving for an athletic event.