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Optional Writing Assignment on Aristotle’s Ethics  Phil 309 — Dr. T. Hoffmann, 10/20/2010 

Length: about 5 pp. The a hard copy is due on Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at class time. Uploadit to turnitin.com, within 24 hours after handing it in. Fill out the check list and attach it.

Of these four grades: test 1, test 2, class participation, optional paper, only the two highest 

scores will count towards your final credit (2 × 12.5% = 25%).

Topic: Why cannot moral virtues exist without practical wisdom and vice versa?

The paper is supposed to be an exegesis of Aristotle’s thought in the Nicomachean Ethics . Inother words, you should expound Aristotle’s teaching, providing references to the text.

Please remember that a clear statement of the thesis is crucial for a good paper. If a sen-tence is not directly related to your thesis, leave it out 

Please divide your paper clearly into three parts: introduction, main part and conclusion.•  Introduction: contains your thesis statement (what you intend to show in your paper) and

a sentence or two stating how you proceed in the main part of the paper.•  Main part: This part does not contain your own opinions, but rather a presentation of Aris-

totle’s account. This part is closely connected to the text, i.e. the Nicomachean Ethics .•  Conclusion: Here you review what was said in your paper. Possibly you can put the find-

ings in a larger perspective. If you desire to express your own viewpoint, it is here that youcan do so. The conclusion is typically about one or two paragraphs long.

I will pay special attention to correct quotations / citations and the correct use of footnotes according to the Chicago style, as amended by the following guideline:

Citations of Aristotle : For example, if you want to cite the first sentence of the Nicomachean Eth- 

ics, you should refer to it as follows:  EN 1.1.1094a1–3. EN stands for  Ethica Nicomachea (Aris-

totle’s works are commonly referred to by their Latin title); the first number indicates thebook, the second the chapter, the third (containing ‘a’ or ‘b’) the page number accordingto the standard edition, then follow the line numbers (the line numbers may be approxi-mate). Give the complete title of the edition you are using in the bibliography (see the sylla-bus of this course for an example).

Other citations (if any) and bibliography : See Diana Hacker. A Writer’s Reference ; use CMS format.

 You are not encouraged to use secondary sources, but if you do, use them as a help to enterthe primary text. References to secondary literature should not replace references to key passages of Aristotle, since they are insufficient support for your interpretation.

Every idea taken from outside sources that is not part of common knowledge, without indi-cating the source, is plagiarism. The penalty is the failure of the entire course.

Never leave the reader in doubt about whether you are stating your own thoughts or some-body else’s (e.g. Aristotle’s). Whenever a thought is not yours, but reflects a passage from thebook, you have to refer to it. For the documentation (footnotes and bibliography), use thestyle of the Chicago Manual of Style, as described in the appendix of Hacker.

Use footnotes whenever you refer to someone else’s works (not only when you quote).

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Instructions and Penalties for Shortcomings of Your Paper

Checklist

  Read the Statement on Plagiarism (Phil 309 website).

  Correct references and correct format of documentation (see previous page for instruc-

tions on how to cite the Nicomachean Ethics ). If not: up to 10% off.  The title of your paper must match exactly the assigned topic. If not: up to 2% off.  Page numbers. If not: 1% off.  Times New Roman (or similar proportional, Serif font). If not: 1% off. Equal width

fonts (like Courier New) and Sans Serif fonts (like Arial) are not allowed.  Use footnotes rather than in-text-citations. If not: 2% off.  Main text 12pt, footnotes 10pt. If not: 1% off.  Main text double spaced, footnotes single spaced. If not: 1% off.  One inch margins on each side. If not: 1% off.  Consecutive footnote numbering. If not: up to 2% off. 

Stapled. If not: 2% off.  Thesis statement. No thesis statement: up to 10% off.  Thesis statement underlined or italicized . If not: 1% off.  Clear division into introduction, main part and conclusion. Use section titles: the main

part should be given an appropriate heading (or several headings, if it consists of severalsections). The title of the conclusion should simply be: Conclusion. If not: up to 6% off.

  Upload an identical copy of your paper to www.turnitin.com no later than 24 hours afterhanding it in. Class ID: 3587599 – enrollment password: theories.Notice: Your paper will not be graded until it has been uploaded.

  Attach this filled out check list as the last page of your paper.

Severe shortcomings

•  Plagiarism⇒ F for the entire course•  No references⇒ F for the paper

Spelling and Grammar

•  Per spelling or grammar mistake: ½% off.

Late Papers I do not accept late papers.