Paper #1: Descartes Radical Doubt Instructions: Paper #1 is due the 4th week of the semester. Late papers will be penalized 5 points for each day late. The paper is worth 100 points. Papers should contain no less than 3 full pages of text, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. Papers should demonstrate a thorough awareness of the topic as well as the ability to engage in philosophical reasoning. Papers should be submitted through the appropriate assignment link, in the Outlines & Papers tab. Doing so will initiate a SafeAssign check for originality. Outside research is not necessary, but if you use external sources you must provide complete citations. Failure to cite your sources is academic misconduct and will result in a failure of the assignment (for more information, see the Academic Honesty section of the syllabus). Part I: Exposition This part of your paper should be 1-2 pages long, and should provide a clear, careful explanation, in your own words (no direct quotations!), of the argument given by Descartes. You will be graded on your ability to clearly explain the philosophical argument. After rejecting all of his previously-held beliefs, Descartes, in Meditation Two, finally comes to one belief he thinks he cannot doubt. What is that belief? Explain, in detail, Descartes argument which leads him to this initial, foundational truth. Part II: Analysis This part of your paper should be 1-2 pages long, and should contain your own analysis of the subject. You will be graded on your ability to think critically and to engage with the material on a level beyond what you have simply read and regurgitated, as well as your ability to support your beliefs with concrete arguments. Do you think Descartes is justified in arriving at this indubitable truth? Explain why or why not, using philosophical arguments. If you think Descartes is correct, explain whether or not, and how, he is justified in building back up from that one initial belief to other beliefs he holds. How many certain beliefs is Descartes justified in drawing from his initial indubitable truth. OR: If you think Do you think such an argument is even possible? Explain why or why not, and the consequences of the impossibility of such an argument.
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