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Florida International University Happiness and Moral Virtue Philosophy Paper
Introduction to Philosophy – Fall 2021
Happiness and Moral Virtue – Story and Essay: Assignment and Rubric
The Prompt:
First Part: Write a (very) short story of 200-400 words that illustrates someone developing the moral virtue of courage OR temperance.
Second Part: Write an essay of 600-900 words answering the following questions:
- What is a moral virtue according to Aristotle?
- How does Aristotle think we develop moral virtues?
- How does Aristotle define the virtue you have described in your story? What is it a meanbetween?
- How does your story illustrate Aristotle’s theory of moral virtue? Some questions to consider:
- What activities does the main character in your story perform to develop their chosen moral virtue?
- What roadblocks do they encounter in developing this moral virtue?
- Is the main character ultimately successful in developing this moral virtue?
- Does the main character become happier thanks to their attempt to develop a moral virtue?
Assignment Goals:
Completing this essay will help you work towards Goals 1-3 of the course, which are:
- To understand core concepts in philosophy.
- To read arguments.
- To write clearly.
Assignment Specifications:
- Due 10/7 by 11:59 PM.
- Late papers will be marked down 10 points every 24 hours that they are late.
- NO papers will be accepted after 10/10.
- Your papers are blind-reviewed. Do NOT place your name on your paper.
- You should upload your paper through Canvas.
- If you would like to discuss your paper, I can meet with you during my regular office hours (Th 2-3:30 in DM 341-D) or by appointment.
- Please include a “Works Cited” section for the second part of the assignment.
Rubric: This paper is worth 200 points out of the 1000 points for the course. I reserve the right to dock up to 5 points for papers significantly under or over the word length.
Below are the criteria by which your essay paper will be graded:
Short Story (20 points) |
Points |
Your short story contains a main character who strives to develop the moral virtue of courage or temperance. There is a coherent narrative, and the story is sufficiently detailed. |
20 |
Your short story contains a main character who strives to develop the moral virtue of courage or temperance, but there is no coherent narrative, or the story is insufficiently detailed |
1-19 |
Your short story does not illustrate anyone developing the moral virtue of courage or temperance. |
0 |
Essay – Comprehension and Use of Evidence – Questions 1, 2, & 3 (80 points) |
Points |
Your essay demonstrates that you have carefully read the Nicomachean Ethics because your presentation of the text accurately interprets Aristotle’s views. Furthermore, you quote from relevant parts of the text in support of your interpretation. |
80 |
Your essay demonstrates that you have read the Nicomachean Ethics because your presentation of the text accurately interprets Aristotle’s views. BUT you rarely or never quote from the text in support of your interpretation. |
35-79 |
Your essay does NOT accurately interpret Aristotle’s views. |
0-34 |
Essay – Story Analysis – Question 4 (60 points) |
Points |
You analyze how the main character’s journey illustrates Aristotle’s theory of moral virtue. The analysis is clear and detailed. |
60 |
Your analysis is insufficiently detailed or lacks clarity. |
0-59 |
Essay – Organization (20 points) |
Points |
The paragraphs of the essay build on one another. Each paragraph is on a focused topic and it is clear from the first sentence of each paragraph what the topic of the paragraph is. Further, the transitions from paragraph to paragraph are always clear. |
20 |
The paragraphs of the essay build on one another. BUT it is only clear until midway through some paragraphs what the focus of the paragraph is. |
10-19 |
The paragraphs of the essay build on one another. Each paragraph is on a focused topic and it is clear from the first sentence of each paragraph what the topic of the paragraph is. BUT the transitions from paragraph to paragraph are NOT always clear. |
10-19 |
The paragraphs of the essay do NOT build on each other. There is little to no logical progression to your argument. |
0-9 |
Spelling and Grammar (Overall) (20 points) |
Points |
There are no spelling or grammatical errors. |
20 |
There are occasional spelling or grammatical errors. |
10-19 |
The paper contains many spelling or grammatical errors. |
0-9 |
Rubric
Happiness and Moral Virtue
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStoryThis component of the rubric evaluates the quality of your short story. |
|
20 pts |
||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEssay – Comprehension and Use of Evidence – Questions 1, 2, & 3This component of the rubric evaluates your interpretation of Aristotle and your ability to support your interpretation using textual evidence. |
|
80 pts |
||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEssay – Story Analysis – Question 4This component of the rubric evaluates the comprehensiveness of the analysis of your story. |
|
60 pts |
||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEssay – OrganizationThis component of the rubric evaluates the clarity of your essay’s organization. |
|
20 pts |
||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSpelling and Grammar (Overall)This component of the rubric evaluates your spelling and grammar. |
|
20 pts |
||||
Total Points: 200 Please Use this book as a reference: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, chapters 1-2 +4-5 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, chapters 7-9 + 13 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book II, chapters 1-8 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII, chapters 1-5 + Book IX 4, 8-9 |