The present assignment is a Comparative Essay: it is about confronting Cartesian theory (Descartes) with Marx’s:
Is the human being determined by reason or rather by society?
The Structure of Work:
Comparative essay: Descartes versus Marx
1. Introduction
You will introduce the question posed by placing it in the historical context of the problematic of the human being. You must mention the authors involved (Descartes and Marx) and the main theme they deal with (theme: the human being. You are also asked to reformulate the question posed and to identify its current importance. (Tell why this question is still important today). You are asked to highlight the controversy surrounding this question by stating two opposing views about it, (state why this question is still important today).
(Descartes’ view and Marx’s view), and then announce your own answer.
(It is not necessary to give here the definition of human being, such as one could find in dictionaries; it is precisely a debate around this definition)
2. Development:
n A. First paragraph :
Descartes’ answer. You will give the answer to the question based on Descartes’ theory: you will briefly present the key principles and concepts of his ethical theory and apply it to the solution of the problem. You will give arguments from Descartes. This part can be considered as the thesis.
n B. Second paragraph: Marx’s answer. You will give the answer to the question from Marxist thought: you will briefly present the key principles and concepts of his theory and apply it to the solution of the problem
Here you will give arguments from Marx and this part can be considered as the antithesis.
Marx will obviously not agree with Descartes. You will explain why.
n C. Third paragraph: Your answer. You state your own position. You develop a personal solution. This part is the place of your freedom. This part corresponds to the section “your opinion”. In this paragraph, therefore, present your position clearly. There are no correct or incorrect answers here. On the other hand, there are right answers and wrong answers. To give a good answer, you must give arguments, justify your opinion. You have to explain why you support a thesis. You must therefore indicate, with the help of relevant arguments, why you favour one theory over the other or why you opt for a third way.
More specifically, you have several possibilities:
-c1. You may agree with Descartes. Explain why and don’t just repeat Descartes’ argument or :
-c2. You can agree with Marx. Explain why and don’t just repeat the Marxist argument or :
-c3. You can support a more personal position by drawing inspiration from a thinker, philosopher, etc. For example, “drawing inspiration from J.P. Sartre, I…” or :
-c4. Simply state your own position; say what you think, and why.
3. Conclusion
You summarize very briefly what you have done in this work.
Remarks:
The structure of the text must be strictly respected
Express yourself in your own words
Quotes are allowed, but not required
Examples are allowed, but be aware that the example does not replace the argument or explanation.
In your answer, you may rely on the ideas of other thinkers to support your thesis, but you must mention your sources.
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