Mills’ Statement

“Few
human creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower
animals for a promise of the fullest allowance of a beasts pleasures;
no intelligent human being would consent to be a fool, no instructed
person would be an ignoramus, no person of feeling and conscience would
be selfish and base, even though they should be persuaded that the fool,
the dunce, or the rascal is better satisfied with his lot than they are
with theirs” (John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism).
On
what grounds does he propose the above? Write a short essay in which
you defend a thesis that either agrees or disagrees with this passage
from Mill.
Review
the course schedule and Module for a complete reading list. Please
carefully review the documents called “Reflection Essay Requirements”
and “Reflection Essay Criteria”, which are listed below, and available
from the “Assignments” tab.
LM2 Reflection Essay Requirement
Your paper should include:
A
short introductory paragraph, with a clear thesis statement (e.g., I
shall argue that Plato’s argument is … because …). Your thesis
should almost always be the last sentence of your introductory
paragraph.
A short, charitable
reconstruction of the argument as presented by the philosopher whose
position you rely on (you may, but need not, use standard premise /
conclusion form).
An
brief explanation, in your own words, of the position that you’re
describing (such as the Categorical Imperative, Justice as Fairness,
etc.)
An
original argument, in which you make the case that answers the
question, based on the philosophical position under investigation.
A suitable concluding paragraph.
Make reference to, and discuss meaningfully, at least two of the philosophers that we’ve read so far in the course.
At
least two sources, and at least as many non-internet sources as
internet sources (Read that sentence again to be sure you understand
it).
No
direct quotations. It is never necessary to directly quote any author.
When it is important to rely on someone else’s ideas, simply explain the
position which he/she is defending. It is, however, necessary to cite
all authors whose ideas you reference. Thus, if you begin a sentence
with, e.g., “According to Plato…”, you should end that sentence with a
citation. Essays that include “direct quotations” will not receive a
grade higher than a D. (Read that sentence again, too, to be sure you
understand it).
A clear and complete bibliography
LM2 Reflection Essay Criteria
Your paper will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Papers must demonstrate an understanding of the arguments being discussed.
Papers must demonstrate a mastery of the relevant concepts regarding the philosophical problem.
Don’t worry about getting the ‘right’ answer. Rather, concentrate on the quality of reasoning used in your evaluation.
Your grade will reflect the degree to which these rules and general requirements have been observed.
Papers
with frequent grammatical or spelling errors, or which otherwise do not
reflect good quality academic writing, will be returned with no grade.
If you don’t know the difference between `their’ and `there’, or the
correct use of the semicolon, make an appointment with the writing
center before you submit your paper.
It
is a violation of Academic Integrity Policy to submit assignments, or
parts of assignments, for two separate courses without permission from
both instructors. I do not give permission. Thus, all parts of this
assignment must be uniquely written for this course, and not submitted
for any purpose to any other course.
All
papers should be double spaced, between 500-600 words, and submitted as
a doc or docx file. Include a bibliography or references section.
Format citations according to APA or MLA citation style.

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