Philosophy 407    Theory of Knowledge

Fall Semester 2003

Thesis proposal due Monday, December 1 

Completed paper due no later than Thursday, December 11 

You are to write a paper on a topic of your choice relating to this course. The finished paper should be typed/word-processed and is likely to be 6-10 pages in length. 

However, your topic requires my approval. A written statement of your thesis (what you are trying to prove in your paper) is to be given to me no later than Dec. 1. I reserve the right to reject topics that seem marginally relevant. 

Objective of this paper: The paper must take a clear position on a topic that we have discussed, and it must provide reasons to adopt that position. If we have reviewed reasons against that position, you must review and respond to those reasons. 

Sample topics: 

• What makes a belief justified? 
• Can epistemology be naturalized? 
• Is the evil demon argument really a problem for epistemology? 
• Are there any basic beliefs? 
• Which version of foundationalism is superior? 

This paper will require reference to sources. At the very least, you will have to refer to the Steup and Wray books. So your paper will need a bibliography page. You may use other sources if you so wish, but of course you must properly cite any sources that you use. Remember that a failure to adequately credit any source for ideas that are not their own is a violation of academic integrity. 

If you do not know how to cite sources, see the department's "Guide to Writing Research Papers"

If you would like to see some sample "A" papers in epistemology, sample "Blue Ribbon Papers" can be viewed in the Philosophy Department Office. (These papers cannot be photocopied or removed from the office.)