Journals Are Intended As A Place For Reflection

Journals Are Intended As A Place For You To Reflect On The Readings An

Journals are intended as a place for you to reflect on the readings and practice the process of writing, so be thoughtful and engaging, but do not worry too much about grammar and mechanics. Entries are graded as pass or fail, so make sure to write at least 3 full pages. Each entry must be three to four pages, double spaced, size twelve, Times New Roman font, and in some way related to this course. Readings include Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” and Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Existentialism,” and should be formatted according to MLA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this journal exercise is to foster deeper reflection on significant philosophical texts and to develop your writing skills through personal engagement with the material. Your journal entries should critically analyze and relate to the core ideas of Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” and Sartre’s “Existentialism,” demonstrating your understanding and personal interpretation of these philosophical concepts. This reflection not only aims to deepen your comprehension but also to encourage you to consider how these ideas apply to contemporary life and your personal worldview.

Start your journal with an introductory paragraph that briefly summarizes each reading. In the body of your reflection, explore the primary themes and arguments presented by Plato and Sartre. For Plato, focus on the notions of reality, ignorance, enlightenment, and the allegory's symbolism about human perception. Discuss how this allegory illustrates the philosopher's role and the journey toward truth. For Sartre, analyze the core ideas about existentialism, emphasizing individual freedom, responsibility, and the nature of existence without inherent meaning. Reflect on how Sartre’s perspective challenges or complements Plato’s views on knowledge and reality.

Ensure that your reflections are personal and insightful. Consider questions such as: What do these philosophical ideas mean to you? How do they relate to your experiences or challenges? Do you agree with either philosopher's perspective? Why or why not? Use examples from your life, current events, or other readings to support your insights. Remember, the goal is to produce a thoughtful, engaging, and well-developed reflection that spans three to four pages, ensuring it is double-spaced, using Times New Roman, size twelve font.

In your conclusion, summarize how these readings have influenced your understanding of human perception, reality, and personal responsibility. Reflect on what you have learned about yourself and how these philosophies might guide your future thinking or behavior. This assignment will not require perfect grammar, but clarity and depth of thought are essential. Be honest, reflective, and critical in your writing to demonstrate your engagement with the philosophical material.

References

  • Plato. “The Allegory of the Cave.” In Republic, translated by G.M.A. Grube, Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.
  • Sartre, Jean-Paul. “Existentialism is a Humanism.” Translated by Carol Macomber, Yale University Press, 2007.
  • Brown, J. (2010). Philosophy and the Art of Reflection. Oxford University Press.
  • Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. Harvard University Press.
  • MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
  • Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays. Vintage International, 1991.
  • Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Harper & Row, 1962.
  • Nussbaum, Martha C. The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Philosophy. Cambridge University Press, 1986.
  • Dowden, M. (2015). Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated Readings. Nelson Education.
  • Warnock, M. (1994). Existentialism. Oxford University Press.

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