Paper 2: Choose any thinker and topic from chapter 10 to chapter 16. Your short research paper should be at least 2 pages minimum and 3 pages maximum in length. Write in one page on both sides a title

[Full Name] [Last Name] 1

Dr. Serrán-Pagán

PHIL 2010 [A or B?]

[Date]

[Sample] Paper 1

The Art of Imitation in Aristotle

1. Find out a significant Weakness (or how others see it as problematic) in your selected philosopher using only one specific theme or topic.

I find Aristotle’s definition of the art of imitation to be problematic because . . . EXPLAIN IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS. “It is an important fact that Aristotle took great issue with Plato’s Theory of Forms” (Moore and Bruder 68). “Aristotle believed that imitation is natural to mankind and constitutes one of mankind’s advantages over animals” (Armstrong). USE PERSONAL INPUT. Use I.

1. Mention one major Strength using the same philosopher and theme.

Aristotle’s concept of tragedy still is observed today by many playwrights because . . . EXPLAIN IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS. “Aristotle’s own view is that the Forms are universals—something that more than one individual can be. . . . But only one thing can be you, and only one thing can be Aristotle” (Moore and Bruder 69). “One of Aristotle’s strength was in the field of drama. In his work Poetics Aristotle says that “[t]ragedy is essentially an imitation not of person’s but of action and life, of happiness and misery” (Cottingham 540-541). USE PERSONAL INPUT. Use I.

1. In your Conclusion, mention at the end what you have learned the most about doing your research.

The philosophy of aesthetics relates to the perception of beauty and a person’s response to that perception. This topic is interesting to me because of our society’s concept of beauty and how it affects

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members of our society. Beauty and youth are often portrayed in the media by young celebrities with perfect bodies. Popular television programs and movies portray unrealistic lifestyles of these pop idols. Adolescents, especially females, try to imitate these ideals at the detriment of their health and well-being. I can see why Aristotle’s aesthetics is still so influential in our contemporary lives.

Works Cited

Armstrong, Charles. “Aristotle’s Aesthetics. Aristotle (384-322 BCE).” Rowan University, 11 Feb. 2019, http://www.rowan.edu/philosop/clowney/Aesthetics/philos_artists_onart/aristotle.htm. Accessed 8 January 2018.

Celkyte, Aiste. “Ancient Aesthetics.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2016, https://www.iep.utm.edu/anc-aest/. Accessed 10 January 2020.

Cottingham, John, ed. Western Philosophy. Blackwell, 1996.

Moore, Brooke N., and Kenneth Bruder. Philosophy: The Power of Ideas. Eight Edition, McGraw Hill, 2011.

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