PHIL 101-003 PHILOSOPHICAL ABSTRACTS ASSIGNMENTS
INSTRUCTIONS:
You will complete three philosophical abstracts this quarter. Each will be based on an assigned reading. Each abstract is limited to 250 words and must include the following information:
1. What is the author’s thesis?
2. What grounds or evidence does the author use to support the thesis?
3. Do you agree or disagree with the thesis?
4. Explain your position on the issue.
The topics, readings and due dates of each abstract are as follows:
Philosophical Abstract 1: Due Tuesday, November 17 by 12:00 p.m.
TOPIC: Abortion: For or Against ?
READING 1: Don Marquis, “Why Abortion Is Immoral,” The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 86 (1989),: 183-85, 189-92, 194.
READING 2: Judith Jarvis Thomson, “A Defense of Abortion,” Philosophy & Public Policy, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Autumn 1971), 47-66.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the article you are most likely to disagree with and answer questions 1 through 4, above. (I recommend reading both articles.)
Philosophical Abstract 2: Due Thursday, Tuesday, November 24 by 12:00 p.m. (noon)
TOPIC: Allied Bombing of Germany, 1944-45: War Crime?
READING 1: Igor Primoratz, ”Terror Bombing of German Cities,” Terrorism: A Philosophical Investigation (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2013), 126-147.
READING 2: Michael Walzer, ”Overriding the Rules of War: The Decision to Bomb German Cities,” Just and Unjust War (New York: Basic Books, 1977), 255-263.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the article you are most likely to disagree with and answer questions 1 through 4, above. Primoratz argues the allies were guilty of a war crime. Walzer states no war crime was committed. (I recommend reading both articles.)
Philosophical Abstract 3: Due Tuesday, December 1, by 12:00 p.m. (noon)
TOPIC: Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?
READING: Benjamin H. Bratton, ”Outing A.I.: Beyond the Turing Test,” The Stone, The New York Times (23 February 2015)
INSTRUCTION: Read Bratton’s article and answer questions 1 through 4, above.
