Please watch the following debate: “Is Good From God?” William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqaHXKLRKzg (Links to an external site.)
The following debate asks the question, “is good from God.”
Who do you think won the debate? Which position was most convincing? Why?
What were some good reasons/arguments that were given?
And finally, why don’t you find the opposing view as convincing?
This assignment is primarily exploratory and analytical. It is designed to show your understanding of the texts we are reading in class, and also to show your understanding of the issues and questions raised in these texts.
Basic Specifications
Be sure to respond to all parts of the topic question and to all questions raised in the topic description. The result should be an essay composed of paragraphs (i.e., not isolated sentences or sentence-fragments). Do not copy the topic question onto your paper.
Your answer to each topic question should total 1-2 pages typed single-spaced and with one inch margins all around, or the equivalent (500-1000 words). Shorter papers will not be accepted.
Please put your name on your paper and your class number (PHI 100B or PHI 100F). Please also number the pages in the paper.
Submit your paper in either .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Do not submit your paper by email. I would even suggest keeping an electronic copy and/or a hard copy of your paper.
In responding to the topic you have selected, consult and discuss material only from the texts that we have read as well as your own notes.
The content of the paper must NOT be merely a summary of what this philosopher(s) says. It MUST also include your own reasoning, made explicit in writing. If you choose to agree with this philosopher(s), you must include your own assessment of whether they have made valid arguments, provided sufficient or compelling evidence for the points they made, or have made some other contribution to your understanding of the topic. You should also explain why you concluded that philosophers arguments or positions were compelling or valid (or not). Include reasoning, not unsupported opinions.
You will also need to show what you think that the philosopher(s) we are discussing mean by what they say. That is, show what in the text supports the reasoned inferences you make about the philosophers meanings.
Make sure you use proper citations. Use footnotes, endnotes, or in-text annotations whenever you quote a source. If you are not sure of how to use footnotes/endnotes or parenthetical annotations, how to cite a text properly, or how to write a bibliography/reference list, consult the online MLA Style Manual, or Chicago Manual of Style. If you prefer to use another standard method of documentation (APA style, for example), that is fine too. I do not care which style of citation and documentation you use (MLA, Chicago, APA), as long as it is consistent and complete.
Quotations must not make up more than twenty percent of the paper. Your reasoning, analyses, and arguments are central to this paper.
