Essay Overview

Essay Overview

Each module will require that you write and submit a thoughtful essay, of 1500 to 2000 words, in response to ANY ONE of the several essay question choices provided within that module.

The assigned essay question is drawn directly from its module’s assigned textbook readings. Your essay should provide a relevant, thorough, and detailed response to the essay question assigned. Draw directly upon our assigned reading in order to carefully craft your response.

Essay Instructions:

1. Write and submit a thoughtful, thorough, substantial essay, of at least 1500 words, in direct response to ONE (your choice) of the Module 2 essay questions below.
2. Draw directly upon our assigned textbook readings for this module in carefully crafting your detailed response.
3. Please double-space your essay, include your name at the top of its first page, and be sure to cite all sources quoted or paraphrased from (even if it’s only our textbooks).
4. Don’t forget to include a bibliography or “works cited” page at the end!
5. This essay is DUE by the end of Module 2. Submit it to the Module 2 Essay Assignment dropbox no later than the last day of this module.

Module 2 Essay Questions:

(Choose just ONE to answer — either 1, 2, or 3):

1. Of the four main arguments given for God’s existence given in RRB’s chapter 5 (the Ontological Argument, the Teleological Argument, the Moral Argument, and the Cosmological Argument [older or new versions]), which do you find the most plausible, if any? And if you find none sufficiently plausible, why?
2. In a nutshell, what are “properly basic” beliefs, and how do they factor into Plantinga’s critique of evidentialism? In your mind, can theism legitimately constitute a “properly basic belief”? Why or why not?
3. Choose TWO of the following: (a) the God of Spinoza; (b) the God of process theology; or (c) the Advaita Vedanta view of Brahman. Compare and contrast them with the view of God found in traditional Western theism. Give an account of which view you think is most plausible, and why.

Notes:

• See the Grading Rubric attached to this assignment for grading information.
• Each essay must be written and submitted to its Assignment Dropbox before the end of its module. (See the Course Schedule for module start/end dates and due dates.)
• For additional guidance and helpful pointers to further assist you in successfully completing your essays, see Writing Philosophy Essays, Writing Thesis Statements, and Sample Essay  in the Start Here module.