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Papers accepted without penalty until 5:00 Monday April 1.. Hand-in a typewritten, double-spaced, 800 word paper on the following topic. (about 250-300 words per page with 12 point type, 1” margins.)
Topic: We have examined arguments for and against both an Empiricist interpretation of science and a Realist Interpretation of Science. In this paper, present and defend your own interpretation of science using some of the ideas and arguments from the lectures and readings. (You might want to be a realist, an empiricist, or perhaps something else
Provide a clear and recognizable statement of your thesis in your introductory paragraph.
Provide a “bare bones” description of the realist and empiricist positions (just enough so that the reader know what position you are defending and what position you are rejecting).
Focus on developing the best logical argument you can for your position or against the position you reject. Use concrete facts and details to make your argument believable and to give it substance. THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.
Provide a response to one or two important objections to your position or argument.
(Some responses were discussed in class. You may have to analyze your own argument to find its weakest spot, and then defend it against that objection.)
The strongest position in any scholarly/research field hopefully emerges only by carefully weighing evidence and arguments.
Provide a bibliography at the end. Give citation notes in the text (e.g. Kosso, p. 47)
Make the paper “your own” – show that you have carefully thought about the issues beyond just a superficial level.
Hint: Don’t even attempt to cover all aspects of the issue. Be focussed. It’s better to cover one idea well than a lot of ideas poorly.
How well you follow the instructions above.
Accurate knowledge of the appropriate course material.
Logical strength of your argument. Remember, you are trying to convince the reader to accept your thesis. Your college friends should be able to understand your argument and be impressed with it.
Insight, originality.
Clarity of the writing, logical organization of the paper.
Points will be taken off for too many spelling and grammatical errors.
An “A” paper scores “excellent” on all criteria. A “B” paper is accurate and more or less logically argued, but typically needs more originality and supporting detail.
A “C” paper makes too many inaccurate and unsupported claims, and has too many logical gaps. It’s typically vague.
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