philosophy paper

PHL 360 – Existentialism

Kierkegaard & Nietzsche Short Essay

100 Points

Due: Monday (2/5) @ 4:00

Length: 2-3 pages

CHECKLIST

____ Post Microscoft Word file to Isidore on Assignments tab, ‘Essay One’ AND turn in a hardcopy to me in my office.

____ Use MLA style for in-text citations and Works Cited page. You are expected to use proper MLA citation format for in-text citation. If you have questions about how to cite you should consult the Write Place on the first floor of the library; they are an excellent resource and can help you with question of citation and organization. Use The Everyday Writer for questions of grammar and format.

____ Put name, instructor, section, and date on the first page.

____ Include page numbers.

____ Times New Roman, 12-point Font with 1” margins

Papers will be automatically checked through the Turnitin system for its use of sources, so it must be submitted in Microsoft Word ( / x) format.

As with all of your professors, I take plagiarism very seriously and have caught students plagiarizing their papers in the past. You should be aware that plagiarism is not limited to a simple copy and paste of someone else’s argument. Two specific examples: 1) not attributing a summary or paraphrase of a reading to its author/source and 2) using a fellow student’s outline/notes and/or writing your paper in the room and at the same time as another student is writing their paper. For example, if you and a friend make an outline of your argument together and then write your papers in the same room, that is considered plagiarism. If you and a friend share notes and then write your papers in the same room, that is considered plagiarism. If you use your friend’s notes or paper outline while writing your paper, that is considered plagiarism. When writing your paper, you need to be alone with only your notes/outline and readings.

This essay is designed to assess your comprehension of the readings from Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. You will be expected to demonstrate 1) a clear understanding of their arguments regarding human existence; 2) the ability to support your claims with evidence from the text(s); and 3) the ability to think critically and creatively about philosophical themes and texts.

PROMPT – there are three prompts that you may choose from; you should only answer one.

1. Compare and contrast Kierkegaard’s ‘knight of faith’ and Nietzsche’s ‘ubermensch.’ In your answer make sure to discuss each author’s understanding of God, Christianity, and love.

2. Create a teaching philosophy or pedagogy from the perspective of either Kierkegaard or Nietzsche. In your answer make sure to consider how the author would address the purpose of education, specifically with regards to human existence.

3. Provide a Nietzschean or Kierkegaardian critique of your major. Focus specifically on the author would view your major as either helping or hurting the achievement of an authentic existence. Make sure to focus on the themes of will, power, and individuality.

READ THE FOLLOWING:

1. Zarathustra’s Prologue
2. On the Three Metamorphoses