Term Paper: You must do three things. First, you must choose a…

Term Paper: You must do three things. First, you must choose a…

Term Paper:

You must do three things. First, you must choose a thesis, the idea that you are defending. Second, you must develop rational arguments in support of your idea. Third, you must consider objections to your idea, and try to answer them in advance.

The topic of the paper can be anything in the readings, anything in the lectures, or any other topic, provided it has been approved by the instructor.  Hint: the more narrow your topic, the better likely to be better than “The Cosmological Argument” in general.

A good thesis about your topic should be expressible in a single sentence. That thesis should then be defended by rational arguments. Note: quotations from scripture do not a rational argument make.

Your paper must be a philosophy paper. Your thesis statement must be a philosophical statement. Is it about a philosophical subject- God, the soul, free will, ethics? That is what you need. Do not present a thesis statement that is really a part of sociology, such as “Most Catholics are opposed to abortion.” Do not present a thesis that is really a part of psychology, like “People believe in God because they are afraid of death.”  Biography (and autobiography!) are not part of philosophy.  Any outside research for this paper is not required. Of course, you are not forbidden to use outside sources either. If you use an outside source, be sure to cite the source, even if you do not give direct quotations from the source.