Philosophy 210-01 Autumn 2016 First Paper Prompts I. The first paper must deal with some aspect of Presocratic, Sophistic, Socratic (Apology, Crito, Euthyphro) or Early Platonic (Meno, Phaedo) philosophy. You may write on a topic not on this list, but only if you clear it with your Teaching Assistant at least one week in advance of the due date (24 October). 1. What are Parmenides' arguments for the impossibility of non-being? Why does Parmenides think that there can be no generation or change? Critically examine Parmenides' position on these issues, and determine whether his argument is flawed. 2. Characterize and assess Xenophanes’ scepticism. Does he provide an adequate reason to be a sceptic? If so, over what range? 3. What is Protagoras' measure doctrine? Provide and assess at least one argument on behalf of the measure doctrine. 4. Why does Socrates refuse to escape from prison when he has the chance? Examine his arguments (to be found in the Crito) and decide whether or not he died for foolish reasons. 5. Socrates sometimes suggests (or seems to suggest) that he has no knowledge regarding the subjects into which he inquires with his interlocutors. Can he be sincere? Is he in fact sincere? 6. Try to determine whether the arguments Socrates gives in the Crito are compatible with what he says regarding civil disobedience in the Apology (e.g. 29 c-d). Be specific about the principle advanced in the Crito, and support your argument, as always, with textual evidence. 7. In the Euthyphro Socrates attempts to show that God’s commands can have nothing to do with the foundations of morality. What are Socrates' arguments for this position? Is he successful? 8. Can the Socratic elenchos yield knowledge? 9. The Meno contains a paradox of inquiry. Is this paradox genuine? 10. The slave passage in the Meno (82a-87c) is sometimes held to establish the existence of a priori knowledge. Does it? II. You are expected to do both exegesis and criticism. That is, you must state explicitly (which in some cases involves reconstructing) the arguments of the philosopher you are considering; only then can you assess the merits of that philosopher's position. You are advised to: 1) prepare an outline before you begin to write; 2) write a first draft, put it away for a few days, and then revise it; and 3) overtly state the thesis you shall defend in the paper..