Philosophy Midterm Essay
You must answer both of the questions listed below
Submit .doc ou .docx double space; use a readable font
Length: 1200-1500 words total (not per question). No penalty directly for being below or over that range. Rather: chances are your essay won’t be concise enough or comprehensive enough if you are outside that range.
Partly or wholly identical copies will be considered plagiarized.
Answer in your own words. You may use quotes, but only to illustrate and complement your own explanations
If you use quotes, include a bibliography at the end. No specific methodology required. Just pick one and stick to it.
Answer clearly, accurately, and concisely. Make sure to answer all parts of the questions. Avoid digressions and superfluous elements. Make sure you answers have a clear structure; use paragraphs and signposting.
Do your best to make each step of the author’s reasoning as obvious and explicit as possible. The same goes with your own reasoning and arguments.
Start early. Re-read and revise before submitting.
Question A (10 points) What is one theory from an author we’ve seen that differs from Descartes’ substance dualism? How is it different? Do they also have similarities? Given the comparison you’ve made, do you find one theory more convincing than the other or do you find them equally convincing/unconvincing? Why?
Question B (10 points) So far, we have covered several theories that are compatible with physicalism (aka materialism), and we’ve seen the account they give of mental states like pain. What are two of those physicalist-friendly theories and what account do they give of the mental state of pain? Given the comparison you’ve made, do you find one of these two accounts of pain more convincing than the other, or do you find them equally convincing/unconvincing? Why?
