Description

 

Answer one of the following questions in a 3-5 page paper.

 

1. Give one counterexample against the physical continuity analysis of personal identity that we discussed in class. Discuss why it is a counterexample to either the sufficiency or necessity of the conditions. Then give one argument against using episodic memory as the mental state that grounds the relevant notion of psychological continuity. How can the analysis be amended to avoid the problem?

 

2. Give an argument using Leibniz’s law of identity for the claim that mental states are distinct from physical states. Explain the notion of sameness and explain why the argument is valid. Then explain an objection that an identity theorist could use to object to the argument.

 

Please remember to answer the question in its entirety. Please also remember to clearly explain any and all technical terms clearly.

 

Rubric for first topic:

 

Content (60 pts):

 

Opening paragraph (5 pts)

1.   Clear statement of the thesis of the paper. (5 pts)

 

The Argument against physical continuity: (15 pts)

1. Clear description of the background issues (i.e. physical continuity quantitative sameness) (5)
2. Clear explanation of the counterexample and why it is a counterexample to either the necessity or sufficiency (or both) of the analysis. (10 pts)

 

The argument against using memory (20 pts):

1. Clear argument against using episodic memory to analyze personal identity. (10 pts)
2. Clear explanation of why the argument is a problem for the analysis. (10 pts)

 

Amending the theory: (15 pts)

1. Discussion of background issues (psychological connectedness OR quasi-memory, depending on which argument you used) (10 points)
2. Discussion of how the amended view avoids the problem (5 points)

 

Conclusion (5 pts)

1. Clear explanation of what you accomplished in the paper.

 

 

Style (20 pts):

1. The sequence of sentences is coherent and clear.  (10 pts)
2. The words are accurate and not used loosely. (10 pts)

 

Grammar and Spelling (10 pts):

1. The paper’s sentences are grammatical and the words are spelled properly.

 

Structure: (10 pts):

1. The paper should have a clear introduction (3 points), coherent body (4 points) and conclusion (3 points)

 

 

 

Rubric for second topic:

 

Content (60 pts):

 

Opening paragraph (5 pts)

1.   Clear statement of the thesis of the paper. (5 pts)

 

The Argument for dualism: (25 pts)

3. Clear description of the background issues (i.e. mental state, identity) (10)
4. Clear explanation of the argument for dualism and its validity. (15 pts)

 

The physicalists’ response (25 pts):

1. Explain the background issues (i.e. modes of presentations or concepts). (10 pts)
2. Explain how the physicalists’ response is supposed to undermine the dualists’ argument. (15 pts)

 

Conclusion (5 pts)

2. Clear explanation of what you accomplished in the paper.

 

 

Style (20 pts):

1. The sequence of sentences is coherent and clear.  (10 pts)
2. The words are accurate and not used loosely. (10 pts)

 

Grammar and Spelling (10 pts):

1. The paper’s sentences are grammatical and the words are spelled properly.

 

Structure: (10 pts):

1. The paper should have a clear introduction (3 points), coherent body (4 points) and conclusion (3 points)

 

 

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