General instructions:
• Choose one topic below, clearly indicate your topic, and address the questions asked
• Write a paper of about 400 words (it may be longer but not shorter)
• Give the correct titles of the texts and name of authors you use
• Do not consult any additional sources. Your only source is the textbook!
• If you quote, follow the original text word for word (if you quote only part of an original
sentence, indicate the omission; if you integrate part of a quote into you own sentence, the overall
sentence still has to be grammatically correct)
• Use quotation marks for all literal quotes
• Give page references to the textbook for all quotes as well as for ideas you appropriate and
paraphrase
• Clearly organize and explain your thoughts
• Avoid grammatical and orthographic errors
• Papers received after the deadline will not be accepted!
Criteria for judging Reaction Papers: comprehension of the given text; willingness to engage with it;
quality of own arguments and ideas in response to the text; concise and persuasive presentation of own
arguments; creative connections made; quality of writing – use of proper English.
PLEASE DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!!!! YOU RISK GETTING A FAILING GRADE!
TOPICS:
1) How would you refute the Argument from Design (Thomas Aquinas’ Fifth Argument)? Clearly
present Aquinas’ argument and critically evaluate it. You may make use of David Hume’s
critique or develop your own arguments.
Reading: pp.135, 139-141
2) Do you agree/disagree with Soren Kierkegaard’s claim that God is a subjective personal
experience? Summarize and explain Kierkegaard’s position and give reasons for your view.
Reading: pp.162-166
3) How would you defend the values of Christianity against Nietzsche’s criticism? Briefly
summarize Nietzsche’s view and present arguments against it.
Reading: pp.173-175, pdf
text: Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen M. Higgins, Clancy Martin, eds., Introducing Philosophy. A Text With Integrated
Readings, 12th ed., Oxford University Press, 2021