“What it is like to be a bat?”
First, read the essay by Thomas Nagel called “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?”
Next, write a two page summary of the argument found in the Nagel reading. You are summarizing the argument and not the essay itself. There may be parts of the essay that are not relevant to the argument.
Your summary should include a clear identification of the main conclusion of “What Is It Like to Be
a Bat?”. You will also need to identify the main premises. If those premises are supported by
another argument you will probably need to include it as part of your summary, but be careful to
show that the argument is separate from the main argument. Finally, besides the summary, you will also need to offer an objection to the argument that Nagel offers.
Here is an outline of what should be in your summary:
1) The primary conclusion of “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?”. If you have some trouble
identifying the conclusion you should ask yourself this question: What is the main point Nagel is trying to prove in this reading.
2) Identify the premises that are directly connected to the conclusion. Here you are looking
for the main reasons that Nagel uses to show that the conclusion above is true. Please note that
there are several secondary arguments within the reading. These are mainly used to support the premises. You should try to separate these from the primary argument.
3) Offer an objection to the argument that Nagel has given. Here are some points to think
about when you are attempting to formulate an objection. Is there some reason to think the argument does not work? One of the premises might be false, or perhaps some of the premises could only be true based on a certain assumption that might be faulty. Offer the objection, but also make sure you explain why you believe it hurts Nagel’s argument.