PHIL3 Warnings from Platos Republic Democracy Fundamentally Flawed Essay There is a rubric and outline of what to do. No need for outside resources because

PHIL3 Warnings from Platos Republic Democracy Fundamentally Flawed Essay There is a rubric and outline of what to do. No need for outside resources because you are given a source and it is quite simple and straight to the point. Just following the directions and writing. PHIL 3
Essay 1: Warnings from Plato’s Republic
Due via Canvas on Tuesday 5/14 by 11:59pm
Pick ONE of the following essay prompts:
1. Is Democracy Fundamentally Flawed?
Analyze Plato’s criticisms of democracy in Book VIII of The Republic. In your analysis,
explain democracy’s version of the “Good” and the consequences of this for the city.
Interpret whether these criticisms also apply to American democracy? What specifically can
American democracy do to protect itself from the problems Plato raises?
2. Does Capitalism Make Cities Sick?
Analyze the following passage from Book VIII, line 550e “[Is] virtue in tension with wealth,
as though each were lying in the scale of a balance, always inclining in opposite directions?”
In your analysis, explain Plato/Socrates’ definition of justice from Book IV. Based on this
definition of justice, does capitalism prevent a healthy, just, and harmonized city?
? If you agree, use concrete examples to illustrate your point. Raise a strong objection
to your view and respond.
? If you disagree, then explain your reasoning using concrete examples and critique
Plato’s definition of justice if necessary.
3. “Living My Best Life”
Book X of The Republic ends with the Myth of Er, an argument for an immortal soul, citing
reward in the afterlife as the justification for living a just life. On the surface, this appears to
contradict what Socrates/Plato said in Book II about justice being intrinsically good.
Analyze this argument from Book II and compare it with the Myth of Er. In your analysis, be
sure to explain the goals for the Myth of Er—what are we supposed to learn from it? Next,
interpret whether Socrates/Plato’s argument for the just life is convincing. Is there reason to
live justly even if there is no fear of punishment (ex. Ring of Gyges)?
Links for inspiration:
http://www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-19-4-c-plato-and-the-republic
http://bigthink.com/scotty-hendricks/why-socrates-hated-democracy-and-what-we-can-do-about-it
Guidelines:
? 3 pages minimum (4 pages max)
? MLA format: 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins
? Base your interpretation on class reading—outside sources are acceptable for examples
? Use MLA format—Works cited page + in-text citations (Author ##).
o http://library.csun.edu/egarcia/documents/mlacitation_quickguide.pdf
o http://www.easybib.com/
o Use line numbers for Plato—For example, (Plato 347a).
o I discourage citing the PowerPoint slides
o Avoid using long quotes to fill space
o Be sure to explain all key terms
PHIL 3
FILE FORMAT:
Canvas only accepts the following file formats: doc, docx, pdf, txt, and rtf (Google docs and
Pages files won’t work). Also, Canvas will not process file names that include special characters
or dashes. If Canvas doesn’t accept your file, then I can’t grade it.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Submitting this assignment to Canvas will check for plagiarism
and originality through Turnitin.com. Don’t plagiarize or buy essays online—it’s not worth it. I
report all instances of plagiarism to the Honor Council.
If you’re struggling to complete the assignment, then please please please come to office hours
so we talk it over. We might clarify confusing things from class, make an outline to get you
started, and I’m also open to reasonable deadline extensions.
PHIL 3 – Essay Rubric
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
Introduction/Thesis
20.0 pts
Excellent
Clearly introduces the topic, question, or problem Intro/thesis is a map for the
argument: what is your claim (thesis), how will you defend this claim, and why is this
significant?
15.0 pts
On the way to excellent
Adequate framing of the topic, perhaps slight misrepresentations;
Presents a thesis without supporting reasons, unclear why this claim is
significant
10.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Imprecise introduction, some irrelevant “page filler,”
perhaps off-topic information; thesis is unclear or
missing
20.0 pts
Content
68.0 pts
B
60.0 pts
?
0.0 pts
F
80.0 pts
A
(1) Cogent, insightful analysis of the topic that
engages course reading (2) Acknowledges
obvious counterexamples and potential
weaknesses in the argument (3) Quotes and
textual evidence support the main argument,
all citations are explained by the author
(1) Good explanation of course material; perhaps some
misunderstandings of the course material or a lack of detailed analysis
(2) Some contestable claims; needs more explanation and interpretation
of central claims to strengthen the overall argument (3) Needs more
textual support, perhaps quotes are irrelevant or off-topic; stronger
evidence would help to strengthen the overall argument
(1) Inaccurate explanations of course
material that misrepresent or weaken
the main argument (2) Presents claims
without analysis or perhaps with
significant inaccuracies (3) A general
lack of textual support for main claims
52.0 pts
D
(1) Lacks analysis of
main ideas from the
reading or class
discussion; difficult to
understand (2) No
textual support or
evidence for main
claims
(1) No evidence for
having read the
material; irrelevant
analysis or stream of
consciousness (2) Did
not address the
assignment topic
80.0 pts
Argument Form
68.0 pts
B
80.0 pts
A
(1) The argument employs clear claims that are
logically supported by relevant evidence to
support the main thesis (2) The argument makes
claims or interpretations based on course
content (3) Each paragraph contains an argument
that supports the goals outlined in the thesis
(1) Good argument structure; Some vague reasoning,
but generally understandable and uses evidence to
support the main thesis (2) Reasoning might be unclear
in places; Perhaps some hidden assumptions,
unsupported claims, or logical flaws in the argument;
Perhaps the counter-argument could be stronger
60.0 pts
?
(1) The main argument is unclear
or missing (2) Many unsupported
claims or missing steps in the
argument (3) The presentation of
the material affects the
understanding of the main
argument
52.0 pts
D
(1) Needs more clarity;
Many off-topic claims that
don’t support a central
thesis; many unsupported
claims (2) Main argument is
absent or difficult to
understand
0.0 pts
F
(1) There are serious structural issues in
the main argument that affect
comprehension overall; Does not
appear to address assignment topic (2)
Missing a main argument; Extremely
unclear and lacks reasoning for main
claims
80.0 pts
Formatting and
Citations
20.0 pts
Excellent
Proper length, Double spaced, 1-inch margins; 12 point font, Times New
Roman; MLA format; Citations help explain course material and support
your claims in the essay
15.0 pts
On the way to excellent
Perhaps it has a few errors regarding length, font, spacing, or margins; Some citations, but
perhaps not enough to effectively explain course material or citations aren’t relevant to
the assignment topic.
10.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Many errors concerning length, spacing, font,
size, and margins; Little or no citations to
support evidence
20.0 pts
Total Points: 200.0

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