Philosophy 101
Essay Topic:  Personal Identity
Due Tuesday, April 29th


On the "Second Night" of Perry's Dialogue..., Miller defends what is called the "time-slice"
theory of personal identity.  Your task in this 3-5 page (typed, double-spaced) essay is to set out
and critically assess this theory.  You should focus first, as usual, on explaining this view as clearly
and carefully as possible, being sure to focus on the following questions:

          --According to this theory, what is a person? (Explain carefully the main details.)
          --What examples does Miller develop (or can you develop) to illustrate the theory?
          --How does Miller suggest that, according to this theory, surviving death is possible?
          --What problems does Weirob raise for the theory?  In particular, how does she try
                   to show that duplication is a problem?

Once you have set out the theory carefully, you should provide a critical evaluation of it. 
How can Miller and Cohen best respond to the problems that Weirob raises for this theory?
To what extent would such a response be adequate.  In light of your discussion, what
conclusions can we draw about what a person is, or is not?

Essays are due Tuesday, April 29th


Note:  Please feel free to ask for my help as you're working on your essay.  I'll be happy to answer
            your questions.  I'll even read an outline or a rough draft and give you some ideas for what
            might improve it. 

Please review my comments on plagiarism in the syllabus. Minimum penalty for intentionally
            plagiarized work is an 'F' in the course.

Note:  In your quest to write an excellent paper, pay careful attention to the rules that Vaughn
          develops in Chpt. 3 of his book.  His discussion In Chpt. 4 is also very helpful.  In
          particular, you should be sure that your paper has a thesis.  This is the main claim that
          you will defend in the paper.  Much of your paper will be devoted simply to explaining
          Descartes' argument in a clear, careful, and well-organized manner.  However, you should
          also focus on clarity and detail in developing your criticism of the argument.  A fair
          assessment of one or more objections to your view is especially helpful.