Big Ideas by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics
This writing assignment will help you to develop knowledge and skills related to the following
Student Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
Objective 2: Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights, utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.
Objective 3: Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.
Objective 4: Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.
Objective 5: Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.
Objective 6: Apply course material to various aspects of life.
Objective 7: Discuss ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse ethical beliefs.
Objective 8: Demonstrate personal responsibility by doing independent work in PHIL 2306 and properly citing all sources.
General Instructions:
1. Before writing, carefully read the instructions for this entire assignment.
2. Compose your responses in a separate document.
3. Label and number the headings for each paragraph. (A1, A2, B, C1, C2, D1, D2)
4. Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar, and overall clarity.
5. Submit your assignment by copying your responses into the provided textbox or by attaching the document as a .docx or .pdf file.
6. Save a personal copy of your assignment in case of a submission error.
7. Late papers are accepted through the last day of classes before the week of final exams, but with a 20% late penalty.
A. Big Ideas A1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies and explains one of the big ideas discussed by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics. [20 points]
a. Clearly state this big idea in the paragraph�s topic sentence.
b. Explain Aristotle?s reasons for taking this position.
c. Explain why this idea is important to Aristotle.
A2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies and explains a second big idea discussed by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics. [20 points]
a. Clearly state this second big idea in the paragraph�s topic sentence.
b. Explain Aristotle?s reasons for taking this position.
c. Explain why this idea is important to Aristotle.
B. Primary Text Select a specific passage (approximately 150-250 words) from the text of Aristotle?s Nicomachean Ethics that functions as a kind of �key� to understanding the whole of the Nicomachean Ethics. You may choose any passage you believe meets this criterion.
a. Type out, word for word, the text of your key passage in full.
b. Use quotation marks and supply a page number in parentheses.
C. Analysis of Primary Text C1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies the main idea of the key passage you selected from the primary text. [20 points]
a. Clearly state the main idea of your key passage in the paragraph�s topic sentence.
b. Identify the reasons given in the passage in support of this main idea.
c. Include citations from your key passage that provide evidence for your argument.
Use quotation marks and supply page numbers in parentheses.
C2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that explains why, in your view, the selected passage is a �key� to understanding the whole of the Nicomachean Ethics. [20 points]
a. Clearly state your reason for choosing this passage in the paragraph�s topic sentence.
b. Explain how this key passage helps us to better understand the whole of the Nicomachean Ethics.
c. Connect your explanation to both of the �big ideas� identified in section A.
d. As needed, include citations from your key passage that provide evidence for your argument. Use quotation marks and supply page numbers in parentheses.
D. Pop Culture Comparison Find an example from pop culture�a scene from a movie or TV show, a song, a book, a commercial, a YouTube video, etc.�that touches on the same topic as your cited key passage. Avoid generalities and try to choose a particular scene from a show or a particular set of lines from a song. (For example, you might choose a scene from a movie or TV show where someone acts bravely and then compare that scene to Aristotle?s account of courage)
D1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that describes your example from pop culture. [10 points]
a. Clearly identify your pop culture example in the paragraph�s topic sentence.
b. Describe the relevant details associated with your example. The more specific you can be, the better. Focus on details that will be useful for your comparison.
D2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that explains how your example is both similar to and different from what Aristotle says in your key passage. [10 points]
a. Clearly identify the main point of overlap between your pop culture example and your key passage in the paragraph�s topic sentence. b. Compare and contrast the details of the example with details from your key passage. c. Include citations from your key passage that provide evidence for your argument. Use quotation marks and supply page numbers in parentheses.