Paper Topics
Choose one of the following topics. Do not write on more than one.
The first two (and only the first two) topics are based on the following scenario: A being claiming to be God contacts you and informs you that you have won the ultimate lottery. Having won the ultimate lottery, you must designate specific changes in the universe, so you can have your dream spouse, dream car, dream house, etc. The changes can be large or small and can be totally selfish or fairly selfless, but changes will be made. You express concern about the ramifications of changing the universe on a whim, but the being assures you that any wrinkles will be smoothed out. In any case, you have no choice and must pick changes that will satisfy your hearts fondest desires. Even an absolute refusal on your part will make no difference since the being already knows what you will pick and can make the changes against your will. If you discuss the changes with the being, however, you might refine and perhaps improve the changes you desire simply by talking things through.
Does the being who contacted you measure up to the philosophical definition of God? In other words, does the being exhibit the characteristics of being omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent? Briefly explain the meaning (the meaning you think is most plausible) of omniscience and omnibenevolence (just go with the Logical version no contradictions of omnipotence), and then explain why the being does or does not exhibit each characteristic. You can also briefly explain what changes you would make, but this explanation needs to be short and is purely optional.
The being also informs you that of your body, mind, and soul, two will be changed. In other words, you can choose to keep the same body or the same mind or the same soul, but not more than one. In order to participate in the revised universe, you will obviously have to survive as a person, so it is important to determine which of the three aspects is crucial to personal identity. Do you identify with your body, mind, or soul (keep in mind that the definition of soul you must work with is an immaterial, immortal blank slate you are certainly entitled to personally define the soul as you see fit, but dont use your personal definition of soul in this paper)? Choose one of the three aspects and explain why your chosen aspect is crucial to personal identity. Give at least one reason why you think the aspect you chose is the key to personal identity. You can also briefly explain what changes you would make, but this explanation needs to be short and is purely optional.
Explain the Fission case and why the Fission case poses a problem either for the Body Criterion or the Mind Criterion. Can the supporters of your chosen Criterion (Body or Mind) overcome the problem of Fission? Explain your answer.
Explain Descartes Evil Demon Argument and the challenge it poses to our knowledge of the external world. Then briefly explain Descartes proposed solution to the Evil Demon Argument, including one of the arguments (Imprint or Omnipotence) for the existence of God. Do you find the argument you described (Imprint or Omnipotence) persuasive? In other words, do you think Descartes has successfully argued for the existence of God? Give at least one reason why or why not you think Descartes argument is successful.
