Politics 213W Fall 2007 WRITING ASSIGNMENT NO. 2 A DECALOGUE

Write down YOUR comprehensive political philosophy in the form of ten principles that are memorable and witty maxims. For each maxim provide two or three paragraphs of argument or rationale. Include in each rationale a critical comparison against the relevant principle(s) and positions of Epicurus. Your maxims and rationales ought to address all of the big questions or issues of political philosophy, including: on what source(s) of knowledge should one rely (epistemology)? what is the nature of reality (metaphysics)? what is the relevance, if any, of God(s) and the afterlife for human life (theology)? what sorts of creatures are we, in what does our happiness consist, and how ought one to live (philosophical anthropology)? what is good/evil, right/wrong, and what obliges us to act accordingly (ethics)? what is the purpose of public politics and what role if any should one take in it (politics)? You should give special attention to the latter three bracketed issues.

Your maxims should

• be stated in an original, brief, and graceful manner.

Your rationales should

• include arguments and counter-arguments that might be raised against your principles.

• include consideration of Epicurus and the ways in which he would agree or disagree on the level of assumptions and arguments.

• you might also want to incorporate Plato if appropriate.

• offer examples that clarify the principles.

Your paper should

• be 10 full double-spaced pages in length (number pages); one maxim to a page.

• guard against spelling and grammar slips, and avoid colloquial language.

• give complete bibliographical information on any and all texts used; you are free to draw upon additional materials outside of this class.

Ø Please provide your name at the bottom of the final page, not on the cover.

Ø Please email me a list of just your maxims without your name.

DUE: Friday, October 26

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,

FEEL FREE TO COME AND SEE ME: Smullin 322, TTh 9:30-11:30