Paper , Order, or Assignment Requirements

Question 1( paper one ) (200 points) Question 1 Unsaved
What is the world (the universe) ultimately made up of? Only material things? But then why do we think that we have “minds”? Are there only mental things, such as minds and ideas? But then how can we explain what seems to be the existence of material objects? Or is there a combination of both material and mental things? But then how can things as different as mind and matter interact (if in fact they do interact).

These questions (about mind and matter) are one part of metaphysics, the philosophers’ study of, and speculation about, what is real and what exists. Write an essay about this. Pick three or four philosophers that we have discussed in class and tell me what they say concerning this issue. Outline the views of each one, and do some comparing and contrasting of those views, from one philosopher to another.

Question 2( Paper 2) (200 points) Question 2 Unsaved
The “man on the street” has all sorts of things that he believes to be true – but how many of those beliefs are really reliable? Can I know for sure that physical objects exist? Can I be certain of the existence of other people, or even of my own existence? How about the truths of mathematics, geometry and logic? What reason can there be for doubting the truths of these beliefs, since, after all, most people are certain that they are true? And if there are grounds for doubting them, is there some way to ultimately demonstrate that those doubts are unfounded?

These are sample questions relevant to skepticism, an important topic in epistemology (the theory of knowledge) – one of the main areas that philosophers think about. Write an essay about this.Pick three or four philosophers that we have discussed in class and tell me what they say concerning this issue.

Question 3 ( Paper 3) (200 points) Question 3 Unsaved
What is the most fulfilling life for a human being? What is the morally correct way to live? How ought we to interact with our fellow humans? Is the moral life likely to make us happy or not? Does the government have any moral authority to tell us what to do? What is the natural way for humans to be?