Descartes’ Dream
Paper instructions:
1) What is the dream argument? What is Descartes’ response to it in the First Meditation? Why does Descartes return to it at the end of the Sixth Meditation and what is his answer to it there? Do you think that the answer to it in the Sixth Meditation is satisfactory? Why or why not?

Your paper should have: 1) A brief introductory paragraph that sets out the problem and offers a thesis, i.e., the view (or solution) that you will argue for in the rest of the paper. 2) An argument that involves the statement and analysis of Descartes’ views, including some critical perspective on the text. (If you end up agreeing with Descartes’ position, at least consider an objection to it; or if you disagree with it, at least consider a possible response to your objections.) And 3) a brief conclusion that states the balance of your argument and its possible implications. When you make reference to the text, as you should to support your interpretation, please mention the page number for the book.

When we grade, we shall look for the presence of these elements and weigh them as follows: a fair paper will show basic comprehension of the text; a good paper will show a nuanced comprehension of the text and have at least a weak and defensible thesis; a very good paper will show excellent comprehension of the text, have a strong and well defended thesis, and show some originality in argument. It always makes a difference how well the paper is written. That is, at a bare minimum we expect proper spelling and grammar, and at best we would hope to see papers that are clearly and elegantly written. Most papers have some elements and not others or some elements that are better than others. We will use our experienced judgment in determining the final grade in terms of the balance of these factors and their overall impact on the reader.