For the second, longer paper you have several formats to choose from. But all pa

For the second, longer paper you have several formats to choose from. But all papers should be typed and double-spaced, in a standard font like Times (12 pt). Papers should be a minimum of 1500 words. Papers will be evaluated for clarity, demonstrated understanding of principles, depth and strength of critical reflection, and presentation. Comparative Paper: If you choose this option, you will compare at least two of the thinkers we have studied (Kant, Hume, Locke, Pascal, Rousseau, Hobbes) on a common theme they addressed (e.g. human nature, the social contract, natural human rights, the benefits of technology, etc.). In your analysis, you should evaluate their relative ideas, and argue for which you think is more correct, or for your own position relative to both. Applied Paper: If you choose this option, you will explain a theory from one of the texts we have studied (other than Descartes) and apply that theory to analyze a social, political, historical, or cultural practice or artifact. Analysis Paper: You may also choose to analyze the ideas of a single thinker from the course (other than Descartes) on a topic of your choosing. General guidelines and expectations: 1. Have a clear thesis statement that gives the evaluative upshot of your paper. 2. The project should be both tightly focused enough that it can be thoroughly explored and defended within the page limits, yet also ambitious enough to be philosophically significant and interesting. 3. Explain relevant background concepts and principles when explicating the philosophical problem you are addressing. You should also spend some time situating the problem in its broader philosophical and historical context. 4. When using a technical term, or when you are using a term in a way different from the way it used in the text, make sure to define the term clearly. 5. Develop arguments in support of your thesis. Make sure your paper stays close to the text and use textual evidence when arguing for your position. 6. It can be helpful to include, and refute, possible objections to your thesis. If you utilize this strategy, be sure to develop the objections adequately, and then thoroughly refute them. 7. Be sure cite any text you reference in the paper. Use of Sources: 8. You may include secondary sources in addition to the primary text that you will be discussing. The Philosopher’s Index is an excellent resource for articles and books in philosophy and our library has it in electronic form. Go to the IUS library website; under “Find Information” you should select “Article & Database Search”. 9. Some examples of how to utilize secondary sources include: comparing two scholars’ positions, and arguing for the superiority of one over the other; criticizing an interpretation and arguing for a superior one; or endorsing an interpretation and arguing that it has interesting implications for the problem not considered by the author. Regardless of which approach you take you should present an accurate (and fair) representation of any position encountered in the secondary literature.