Theory Script Paper

Instructions:

• Write a 10-12 page dialogue script between yourself and 3 of the philosophers we have covered in this class
• Ideally these philosophers will be from different time periods

The Idea:

One way to better understand the ideas proposed by our philosophers is to compare and contract them with each other, and with your own ideas. In this assignment you will write a dialog /script that takes place between you and three of other philosophers from this class using the prompt below

Format:

• The paper should be standard format (12 pt font, 1 inch margins, page numbers.)
• The proper spacing for a script is single space within a dialog, double space between speakers.

Writing prompt :

• Imagine that you are hiking on a mountaintop (Or any other setting you choose…)
• You are speaking with 3 of the philosophers we have studied at DIFFERENT points in class, you are also a philosopher.
• The four of you start to discuss how to set up a society and achieve the good life.
• In this discussion, you debate the following topics

1. Who are we (humans) at our core?
2. What kind of rule/govt should we choose? Who should hold power?
3. How could justice be achieved?
4. How do we best handle material/economic concerns?
5. What advice do you and our philosophers have for a US President, so that he/she may better achieve these goals in the US?

What I am looking for:

• clear presentation of the individual philosophers viewpoints
• insightful comparison and contrast of the philosophers as a group
• natural flow of dialog, without there being a lot of filler or “fluff”
• Your own personal insights (Remember that this dialog is between 3 philosophers and yourself. You have an active role)

Options for completing this assignment

This assignment is focused on the ideas presented by the philosophers. The prompt asks you to imagine yourself hiking. The setting, however, is not central to the project, so you may choose any setting you want. You may also take liberties with the philosophers and their lives, as long as the ideas of the philosophers are portrayed accurately. Basically, you are welcome to be creative and have fun with the project.

Some examples chosen before were:

The philosophers are participants on the Dating Game, and the Bachelorette is British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

John Locke and Karl Marx are a same sex couple hosting a dinner party. John Locke is a civil and gracious host, while Karl Marx gripes about all the money they are spending on a lavish meal

The philosophers are together in family therapy