CHMA11H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Robert Nozick, Experience Machine, Turnitin
Department of Philosophy
University of Toronto at Scarborough
Introduction to Ethics
PHLA11H3
Winter 2018
FIRST PAPER ASSIGNMENT
The first assignment is for you to write a 750-1000 word essay that answers one of the following
questions. Be sure to answer all parts of the question. Papers are due by Friday, February 9 at 11:59
pm. You should submit your essays both on Blackboard and on Turnitin.com. Here is the log in infor-
mation you will need for Turnitin:
Class ID: 17365540 (there is only one section for the class)
Enrollment key: Sidgwick
Your essay should get right to the point. It should have a well-formulated thesis. It should have an
introduction and a conclusion, and it should make an argument with a clear logical structure. You can
look to Singer or Nozick for examples of clear, straightforward philosophical writing. Be sure to quote
from the readings to support your interpretation of an author’s views. Use examples to illustrate key
ideas. Feel free to ask your TAs for advice. Good luck!
1. In “Famine, Affluence, and Morality,” Peter Singer argues that people in rich countries have
certain obligations to help people in poor countries. Explain Singer’s argument. What principle
does he appeal to? How does he argue for this principle? What implications does Singer’s
principle have for people in rich countries: what are we required to do to help the global poor?
Do you agree with Singer’s conclusion? Why or why not? (If you disagree, be specific about
what part of the argument you reject.)
2. Robert Nozick offers the “experience machine” as a thought-experiment designed to tell us
something about what makes a life worth living. Describe the thought-experiment. What does
Nozick think that the experiment shows us? What does he think is missing from a life in the
experience machine? Do you agree with Nozick’s view? Why or why not? In the end, if you
had the choice, would enter the experience machine? Why or why not?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
The first assignment is for you to write a 750-1000 word essay that answers one of the following questions. Be sure to answer all parts of the question. Papers are due by friday, february 9 at 11:59 pm. You should submit your essays both on blackboard and on turnitin. com. Here is the log in infor- mation you will need for turnitin: Class id: 17365540 (there is only one section for the class) Your essay should get right to the point. It should have an introduction and a conclusion, and it should make an argument with a clear logical structure. You can look to singer or nozick for examples of clear, straightforward philosophical writing. Be sure to quote from the readings to support your interpretation of an author"s views. Feel free to ask your tas for advice. Good luck: in famine, affluence, and morality, peter singer argues that people in rich countries have certain obligations to help people in poor countries.
