PHL342S MINDS AND MACHINES

PHL342S MINDS AND MACHINES

SECOND PAPER

*** DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 7 AT 11:59 PM *** INSTRUCTIONS

Write a four page essay (double-spaced), that addresses all of the following questions:

Is the extended mind hypothesis true? Are there cognitive processes or states that extend beyond the brain? Could there be?

Step one: Come up with a thesis (a specific conclusion you will defend in the paper).

Formulate your thesis so that it can be stated in a single sentence.

Step two: Outline your main points.

• Decide on the main points you want to make, and order them in a way that makes sense, and that allows you to coherently build a case for your thesis

• Begin collecting illustrative/informative quotes from the readings, and place them under the points that they support/clarify

• This is not a research essay, so you don’t need to consult any sources beyond the required and supplementary readings on the syllabus

• It can strengthen your case, and clarify your conclusions, to address obvious objections to your thesis

Step three: Write paper.

Fill in your outline. Once you’ve done that, write a very short introductory paragraph that tells your reader what your paper aims to do, and how it will do it. Write a very short concluding paragraph emphasizing the take-away points, and how they were established. Give your paper a title. Write a bibliography. Put your textual references in some standard format (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Step four: Submit paper.

Go to the page for your tutorial on Quercus and select ‘Assignments’ from the menu on the left. Select an assignment to view the instructions, and to upload your work. Please submit all assignments in .docx or .pdf format. NOTE: your assignment will not count as submitted until it has been uploaded in a readable format.

WRITING A PHILOSOPHY PAPER

You may find the following resources useful; they do a great job of explaining

• http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

• http://www.sfu.ca/philosophy/resources/writing.html

• http://philosophy.fas.harvard.edu/files/phildept/files/brief_guide_to_writing_philosophy_

paper.pdf

GENERAL WRITING TIPS

• Strive for accuracy, clarity, and concision

• Use the simplest vocabulary you can; fancy and flowery isn’t what’s called for here

• Some technical terms are ambiguous (e.g., ‘subjectivity’); be explicit what you mean when you use them!

• Don’t overcomplicate things. Cut out unnecessary details, so you can focus on what’s

essential to supporting and defending your thesis