Phil 210

For this upcoming Tuesday (1/27), write 200 to 400 words (about one page, double- spaced) on the following topic:

In our first lecture, I briefly stated the positions of four major worldviews on the nature of the self (eternal? potential? illusory?), metaphysics (what kinds of things exists and how are they related to one another?), the fundamental human problem (sin? failure to be aware of and cultivate one's virtuous inclinations? selfishness?), and the solution to that problem (salvation through grace? self-cultivation? enlightenment?). Briefly state your own view on one or more of these topics. (In other words, you can write your whole paper on, say, your view of the nature of the self, or you can state your views on two, three or even all four topics.)

For this essay, you will be graded mainly on the clarity of your writing, and on how well you follow Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, Rules 1-11 and Van Norden's "A Supplement to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style" (handout), Rules 23 to 31.