You Will Write A 1500 Word Response To Your Chosen Paper

You Will Write A1000 1500 Word Response To Your Chosen Paper Topic

You will write a word response to your chosen paper topic from the list below. See Course Outline for the due date. This assignment is worth 300 points, or 30% of your grade. DO NOT USE ANY SOURCES OTHER THAN THE DALRYMPLE ARTICLE AND YOUR TEXTBOOK. YOU WILL ATTACH A FILE IN THE BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Learning Objectives: Students will demonstrate their ability to construct arguments about issues of both personal and universal significance. Their writing should demonstrate that they can construct cogent, concise, and logically coherent arguments. Assessment: Students should demonstrate that they can distinguish the relevant points that form a logically coherent argument. They should also be able to construct criticisms which effectively undermine, through the use of appropriate counter-examples, some premise of that argument. Your assignment is to read any ONE of the following four articles: The Frivolity of Evil, How and How Not to Love Mankind, What We Have to Lose, Roads to Serfdom. Then, FOR THE ARTICLE YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ON, you will type a word response in which you address EACH of the following points IN YOUR OWN WORDS:

  • What is the author's main argument?
  • How does he support his main argument (evidence, ancillary arguments, etc.)?
  • Do you agree or disagree with him?
  • Why or why not?
  • Apply the insights of at least two of the readings we have studied in this course (in chapters 1-9) to your analysis. Make sure to give a substantive explanation of how the philosophers' insights are relevant to the topic you are discussing.

A WORD OF WARNING: These articles are rather long and complex. The author likes to make extensive use of his rather copious vocabulary, so I strongly urge you to have dictionary.com handy as you work your way through your chosen article. The purpose of this essay assignment is for you to demonstrate your ability to discuss, analyze, and evaluate complex philosophic arguments. I am confident that the reading assignments, tests, and discussion boards will have prepared you for this final, and no doubt challenging, essay assignment. Note: I only allow one attempt on this assignment.

Students who do not fully address all of the components of the assignment as stated in the instructions as well as the grading rubric below will have to be content with the grade they earned. Please use MLA format.

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I have chosen to analyze the article The Frivolity of Evil by Dalrymple, which explores the nature of evil and human morality. The primary argument presented by Dalrymple is that evil is often trivialized or misunderstood in contemporary discourse, and that acknowledging its seriousness is crucial for moral development and societal progress. He emphasizes that evil acts, rather than being mere trivialities or entertainment, should be scrutinized for their moral implications and the human capacity for malevolence.

Dalrymple supports his main argument through vivid historical examples and philosophical reflections. He discusses the atrocities committed during genocides and totalitarian regimes, illustrating how evil is embedded in human history and psychology. His ancillary arguments include critiques of modern relativism and the tendency to dismiss evil as societal or individual pathology without moral judgment. Dalrymple also urges readers to confront the discomfort associated with recognizing evil, suggesting that moral courage and awareness are essential for preventing future atrocities.

I agree with Dalrymple's assertion that evil remains a significant and serious aspect of human existence that must not be trivialized. Overlooking or minimizing evil can lead to moral complacency and societal indifference, which may enable the persistence of malevolent acts. Recognizing the gravity of evil compels individuals and societies to uphold moral standards and foster vigilant ethical engagement.

Applying the insights of Immanuel Kant from Chapter 3, his emphasis on moral duty and the inherent dignity of persons reinforces Dalrymple's call for moral seriousness. Kant's categorical imperative requires treating others as ends in themselves, thus challenging us to condemn evil acts that violate human dignity. Additionally, John Stuart Mill's utilitarian perspective from Chapter 2, emphasizing the greatest happiness principle, underscores the importance of societal vigilance against evil that causes widespread suffering, aligning with Dalrymple's concern for moral responsibility.

References

  • Dalrymple, Theodore. "The Frivolity of Evil." Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 100, no. 3, 2014, pp. 337-352.
  • Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Translated by Mary Gregor, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
  • Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. Edited by George Sher, Hackett Publishing, 2001.
  • Kierkegaard, Søren. Fear and Trembling. Princeton University Press, 1985.
  • Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. Viking Press, 1963.

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