Instructions for Philosophy 110 Essay

2010

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).

If you cite a class handout, try to identify the source, but also indicate, "available at denis.dutton.com."

(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 (but not all) 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 Karl Popper's proposal that science should be practiced in a spirit of seeking falsification. Base your research on the article assigned for the class, but also extend your research, using the University of Canterbury Library. If you check out a relevant book, do not monopolise it, but return it to the collection ASAP so that it is available for other students. Do not just rely on Web research.

Explain your position as clearly as possible, using examples of falsifiable and non-falsifiable hypotheses. Conspiracy theories are worth considering in this regard. Critics of conspiracy theories often call them unfalsifiable; proponents loudly disagree. Two useful ones as examples are (1) the 9/11 conspiracy theory, and (2) the moon-landing conspiracy theory. There are many others you might want to use.

Due: Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Bring your essay to the fourth floor of the History Building.

Length: Around 1500 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.