What aspect of their respective writings are you comparing?

SHORT PAPER #2: DUE NOVEMBER 23RD, 11:59 p.m.
An important aspect of writing in philosophy is an ability to compare and contrast two philosophers. We have, through this class, read quite a few philosophers with very different points of view. In order to understand an issue, it is usually a good idea to investigate how disagreeing philosophers each approach that issue. To that end, your second paper assignment will be to do the following:
Please write 1000 words (over or under by 100 words) which compare two philosophers on a single issue. I will ask you not to use outside sources; please keep to the primary texts. Please note: you are not being asked to defend your own views in this essay. I want to see you can synthesize two thinkers and track how they each address a philosophical problem.
In this essay, I want you to make it clear:
(1) what aspect of their respective writings are you comparing? Is this a question about truth? Knowledge? Being? Be very clear in your thesis what you will be showing.
(2) In what ways are they similar? Do they have points of contact where they agree? What are those points and why are they similar?
(3) Do they disagree on this issue? What is the genesis of their disagreement? How does philosopher #1 arrive at the conclusion that differs from philosopher #2?
Please note that some philosophers will have more or less in common, so it is not necessary that you give equal space to the similarities and differences. There should be some of both but the balance will change based on which pair you choose.
I will ask that your comparative essay only use one of the following pairs:
Descartes vs Mills: on what grounds is Mills criticizing Descartes?
Descartes vs Hume: compare Descartes’ rationalist method to Hume’s empiricist method
Hume vs. Nietzsche: how do each account for how we identify things in the world?
Marx vs. Nietzsche: what is the most important feature of the human being? And what results from these conceptions?
Please note: I am open to other comparative essays, but please consult me first if you plan another so that I can let you know whether it is likely to make an effective topic.
Some things I will be looking for when deciding my grade:
Is the thesis clear? Do you make a substantive and clear claim about what you will be showing in the rest of the essay? I want to know by the end of paragraph one what your essay is going to show.
Do you get the details right about each philosopher?
It is important that you are referring to the texts, either by pointing at specific moments in the text or by using (short!) quotes when appropriate. When referring to a specific point, please cite your source in the text. The use of footnotes or deploying parentheses (“On Truth and Lies, pg. 6).
If you are uncertain whether you are getting details right, then please feel free to ask me!
Are these disagreement and points of agreement in the texts?
These philosophers are not always writing directly to one another. It will be part of your job to make these comparisons.
What are the outcomes of this disagreement? What effects, results, conclusions are at stake by understanding a problem as philosopher #1 recommends vs. how philosopher #2 recommends? How does each influence a way we could view philosophy, the human being, etc.?

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