Life’s Big Questions: The Problem of Immortality

Essay Assignment – Life’s Big Questions PHIL 203-R Spr 2019

• Write an analytical essay about one of the topics below (A-M).

• Your task is to systematically develop a position throughout the entire essay.
• In the essay you are to analyze three proposed solution to your philosophical problem. The goal of your

analysis is to make a case for one particular solution. For example, about the problem of x, I can discuss the pros and cons of solutions a, b, and c, and I ultimately make the case that because of the various pros and cons of all three solutions, solution b is the best solution to the problem of x.

• Defend your position with a combination of logic, evidence, and analysis.
• You must use material from Rachels’ Problems from Philosophy, and one other source of your choice.

Due Dates:

Essay Topics:

A. The problem of immortality

B. The problem of personal identity

C. The mind-body problem

D. The problem of artificial intelligence

E. The problem of free will

F. The problem of governance

G. The problem of knowledge

H. The problem of the nature of God

I. The problem of evil

J. The problem of justifying belief in God’s existence K. The problem of happiness

L. The problem of death

M. The problem of the meaning of life

Working Title and Introduction

The Title announces the subject of the essay in an intriguing or memorable way and reflects your ultimate position you take in the essay. Important: Before your title, you must write the letter of the topic you have chosen (A-M). For example, “A: There Is No Soul, and No Immortality”).

The Introduction opens with a general statement about the topic and then goes into more detail, leading up to a statement of the specific Thesis at the end. Start with a vivid statement of the problem, an intriguing quotation, an anecdote, a question, or a strong opinion. The rest of the introduction then develops this beginning item into a more general or detailed presentation of the topic including what solutions you will analyze.

Completed Essay (see Blackboard for the scoring rubric)

• Minimum of five full pages long; maximum of six full pages long.
• Double spaced, page numbers, 1-inch margins, 12 pt font.
• MLA format (see Blackboard for a sample MLA essay)

o Include citations from the two works, and provide a Works Cited page with the two texts listed.