Intro. to Philosophy Paper #1 – Analyzing Emotions
Extra Credit (+5) Papers are due at the start of class on Tue. 9-19. Final deadline at the start of class on Thurs. 9-21.
Email submissions will not be accepted.
Papers turned in after the start of class will not be accepted.
Papers not stapled or clipped will not be accepted.
FORMAT: Papers must be typed, 10 – 12 font, double space, and with standard margins at the top bottom and sides. An adequate paper response will
require three full pages. That means that three full pages are needed for a C or better. Papers surpassing the minimum expectations are likely to be
longer. Your paper should not be longer than 6 pages.
This is not a research project. The use of external sources is likely to just make your job harder and distract you from satisfying the specific topic
requirements. All source materials used must be properly documented. Be sure to talk to me if you have questions.
Point distribution: 60 pts – Concepts and Theoretical Perspectives
30 pts – Argumentation – Your Position and Support
10 pts – Mechanics and Organization
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100 pts
Grade Conceptions:
A: Satisfies requirements with a standard of excellence.
B: Does a good job of addressing requirements. (Uses examples effectively or clearly explains key concepts)
C: Adequately addresses requirements. (No major omissions, errors or irrelevancies)
D: Deficient. (Falls below the standards for C in some respects)
F: Failing. (Falls below the standards for C in most or all respects)
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In class we have been looking at different models for the analysis of emotional states from Solomon, James, and Jaggar. Choose two of the three
philosophers. Explain how each of the philosophers you choose proposes to analyze emotions and why each proposes the model he or she does. Be sure to
provide examples. Finally, which perspective do you think does a better job of handling the analysis of emotions? Take and defend a position of your
own.
Your analysis must accomplish the following things:
• Assume an intelligent audience that is not familiar with these issues. Provide an appropriate level of detail and explanation for that
audience to find your discussion clear and informative.
• How does each philosopher propose to analyze emotional states? In each case, what kinds of details are important when trying to understand
emotional experience? Why are these the right details to focus on?
• Examples of how the theories apply to emotions are crucial for a successful paper. Be sure to illustrate each theory with at least one
example.
• Which perspective do you think does a better job of handling the analysis of emotions? Develop and explain at least one reason that supports
your position. Clear and plausible reasoning is crucial for a successful paper. Simply taking a position is not enough. You must provide logical
support for your position. If you don’t think that either perspective does a good job of handling the emotional state you analyze, then you need to
provide reasons for thinking that neither is acceptable.
• Be as specific as you can in each part. Details and organization are important to quality writing. Make sure that your response is well
organized and free of grammatical errors. Follow the format requirements given above.
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