Instructions for Philosophy 110 Essay

2009

Most philosophical essays require both exposition of a topic (a thesis, problem, argument, theory, etc.) and critical examination of the topic. The exposition should be expressed in your own words, with quotations kept to a minimum and adequate reference to any material quoted or paraphrased. The critical examination need not display originality, but it must show understanding of the topic, and it must be carefully organized and argued, and leave no doubt as to the reasons for your position — even if this amounts to uncertainty or bewilderment. The following points must be observed:

(1) Computer file. Your essay must be produced as a computer file and submitted to the anti-plagiarism site, turnitin.com. Detailed instruction about how to do this will be made available.

(2) Quotations. These should not be plentiful, and must be clearly delimited and absolutely accurate, with adequate reference given to sources. (As a rule, you should quote only when the exact wording is important, or when you wish to engage in substantial critical examination of the passage.) You are required exactly to follow the reference style given here.

Books: Author, italicised title (city: publisher, year), pages.

Homer Simpson, The Concept of Disinterestedness in Aesthetics (New York: Oxford University Press, 1972), pp. 201-238.

Articles: Author, title (in double quotation marks), italicise name of journal, volume number, year of publication (or name of book and editor), pages.

Bart Simpson, “Disinterestedness,” British Journal of Aesthetics, vol. 83 (1956), pp. 71-86.

Lisa Simpson, “Psychical Distance,” in Interest and Disinterest in Aesthetic Perception, ed. matthew Groening (London: Methuen, 1982), pp. 27-56.

If you make repeated references to the same source, find an easy way to handle it, such as by simply putting page numbers in parentheses after quotations, i.e., (Simpson, p. 59).

(3) Spelling. One or two misspellings will be overlooked. More than two will lower your mark. Spelling mistakes are symptomatic of carelessness in preparation. Be especially cautious about the its/it’s distinction and the difference between criterion and criteria. In most plurals apostrophes are spelling errors.

(4) Plagiarism. An essay containing quotation that does not appear as such, or consisting of unacknowledged paraphrase, will be flunked. The same goes for an essay prepared by a “typing” or “editorial” service that actually writes for you.

(5) Style. You will be marked in part on how well you argue the claims made in your essay (how you choose and use evidence, consider counter-arguments, etc.), but also on how well or badly you write. (“Crikey, this isn’t an English course!” No, it isn’t. It’s a course in thinking, and writing is thinking.)

Here is your topic:

Critically examine a conspiracy theory of your choice in terms of concepts and argumentative strategies discussed in the text and in the lectures. Your analysis may include reference to the idea of confirmation bias as well as Karl Popper's proposal that science should be practiced in a spirit of seeking falsification. (Library research is encouraged; the web will be useful too, so long as you don't resort to web copying!)

Explain your position as clearly as possible. Two prime examples of conspiracy theories are (1) the 9/11 conspiracy theory and (2) the moon landing conspiracy theory.

Due: Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Bring your essay to the fourth floor of the History Building.

Length: Around 2000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.