Explanations of original writings

Purpose The Reading Assignment contains (usually) two questions pertaining to short sections of (usually) primary sources. Primary sources are the original writings of important philosophers not textbook accounts summaries or expert explanations of original writings. (Expert explanations textbook accounts etc. are called secondary sources.) The primary sources are (usually) provided as links to free online sources. Detailed instructions identify the exact passages to read. Please note that this is NOT a research assignment. You should NOT search for additional information on the text(s) or its author(s) or try to find the right answers to the Reading Assignment Questions. Rather you should struggle with the text(s) and make sure to answer all parts of the questions completely and thoroughly to the best of your understanding. Your Reading Assignment submission will be checked for plagiarism. See syllabus for plagiarism policy and academic integrity guidelines. The Reading Assignment is due by the due date specified in the course calendar. Late submissions (as marked by Canvas) will result in 0 points for the Reading Assignment. Please make sure to carefully follow the directions provided and adhere to the deadline specified in the course calendar. Directions Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy. (Links to an external site.) Please read Meditation 1 and Meditation 2 of Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy. Descartes: Discourse on Method (Links to an external site.). Please read Part IV of Descartes Discourse on Method.(Links to an external site.) After careful reflection please answer the following questions: Your response to each question should be about 300 – 400 words in length but please feel free to be as detailed as you wish. Your responses must be written in full sentences logically structured using proper grammar and spelling and appropriate style. It is recommended that you write out your answers using a word processing program and copy and paste the completed response. This will avoid loss of work in case of internet outage etc. Always keep a backup copy of all written work. Due Date The due date for your Reading Assignment is specified in the course calendar. Evaluation Your Reading Assignment will be evaluated on the basis of the Reading Assignment Rubric. Value This Reading Assignment is worth 20 points toward your total score for this course. Please see syllabus for details. Reading Assignment Rubric (1) Reading Assignment Rubric (1) This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnswer Question 1 Accomplished All aspects of question are answered. Answer is comprehensive thorough and fully supported by sound reasoning. Solid Some aspects of question remain unanswered and/or answer lacks detail and/or is not fully supported by sound reasoning. Developing Most or all aspects of question remain unanswered and/or answer is extremely brief and/or not supported by sound reasoning. No submission 8 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnswer Question 1 Accomplished All aspects of question are answered. Answer is comprehensive thorough and fully supported by sound reasoning. Solid Some aspects of question remain unanswered and/or answer lacks detail and/or is not fully supported by sound reasoning. Developing Most or all aspects of question remain unanswered and/or answer is extremely brief and/or not supported by sound reasoning. No Submission 8 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLanguageUse of Standard Written English Accomplished Answers are logically structured and presented in complete sentences in proper written English. No or very few grammar or spelling errors are present. Solid Answers are not completely logically structured or presented in sentence fragments and/or contain some grammar and/or spelling errors. Developing Answers lack logical structure and are presented in sentence fragments and/or contain substantial grammar and/or spelling errors. No Submission 4 pts Total Points: 20 What do you think is the purpose of Descartes’ (First and Second) Meditations? Why does he perform this exercise of ‘radical doubt?’ Do you agree with his (preliminary) conclusions? Why? Why not? Please make sure to be specific and carefully explain your reasoning. According to Descartes’ Discourse on Method ‘I think therefore I am.’ What do you think this means? What consequences follow for what it is to be a human being? Carefully explain your reasoning. What do you think is the purpose of Descartes’ (First and Second) Meditations? Why does he perform this exercise of ‘radical doubt?’ Do you agree with his (preliminary) conclusions? Why? Why not? Please make sure to be specific and carefully explain your reasoning.According to Descartes’ Discourse on Method ‘I think therefore I am.’ What do you think this means? What consequences follow for what it is to be a human being? Carefully explain your reasoning.