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Paper Prompts
*Note: For all of these papers, you should only use class materials. No outside research permitted. Define key terms. Read the syllabus for full instructions.
Paper No. 1
What is the memory criterion view of personal identity? What is one potential problem with this criterion? What is one implication of the memory criterion (in other words, what does it matter if this criterion is adopted over others)?
Paper No. 2
Identify and explain (at least one of) the personal identity puzzles presented in the story "Where Am I?" by Daniel Dennett. Is one type of philosophical approach more apt than others to handle these puzzles? Bring in at least one of the other course readings to defend your position on how best to approach Dennett's question: Where is he? This prompt is not requiring you to provide a full answer on the personal identity question. Rather, your task is to suggest an approach to answering the question based on the sorts of considerations and implications that you think are most important.
Paper No. 3
What is narrative identity? How can social relations and context positively influence and distort this form of identity? Give an example of how oppression can affect someone's narrative identity (pulling from literature, film, or from your own imagination). Bring in at least two course readings to provide a robust and nuanced account.
Paper No. 4
Focus on identity issues related to either sex/gender or disability. Identify one key way in which someone's identity could be jeopardized, threatened, or fractured. Why would this happen? What are the implications of having a disintegrated or undermined identity? Is it possible to regain unity in the face of this loss, and if so, how? You may only use class materials.
Paper No. 1
What is the memory criterion view of personal identity? What is one potential problem with this criterion? What is one implication of the memory criterion (in other words, what does it matter if this criterion is adopted over others)?
Paper No. 2
Identify and explain (at least one of) the personal identity puzzles presented in the story "Where Am I?" by Daniel Dennett. Is one type of philosophical approach more apt than others to handle these puzzles? Bring in at least one of the other course readings to defend your position on how best to approach Dennett's question: Where is he? This prompt is not requiring you to provide a full answer on the personal identity question. Rather, your task is to suggest an approach to answering the question based on the sorts of considerations and implications that you think are most important.
Paper No. 3
What is narrative identity? How can social relations and context positively influence and distort this form of identity? Give an example of how oppression can affect someone's narrative identity (pulling from literature, film, or from your own imagination). Bring in at least two course readings to provide a robust and nuanced account.
Paper No. 4
Focus on identity issues related to either sex/gender or disability. Identify one key way in which someone's identity could be jeopardized, threatened, or fractured. Why would this happen? What are the implications of having a disintegrated or undermined identity? Is it possible to regain unity in the face of this loss, and if so, how? You may only use class materials.