SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE
PHIL 107
CRN: 46602
SPRING 2015
INSTRUCTOR: PROF. NINA ROSENSTAND
REFLECTIONS ON HUMAN NATURE
3RD TAKE-HOME PAPER, DUE MAY 12
LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED WITH -3 POINTS PENALTY MAY 14
Write min. 3 pages, max.5, typed and double-spaced, choosing from one of the following options. Make sure you answer
all parts of the question. All options require at least two outside sources (scholarly articles, scholarly works, or websites
with a scholarly content—not merely Wikipedia!) in addition to the textbook/Readers. Endnotes and a bibliography (Works
cited) are required at the end of the essay, in addition to the 3 pages. Papers cannot be submitted by e-mail.
Please indicate on your COVER PAGE that this is Essay #3, and specify which option you’ve chosen for the 3rd essay. No
cover page will cost you 1point.Papers must be stapled/clipped. Loose pages will cost you 1 another point.
Worth max. 50 points.
Joint Option: This essay may be submitted as a joint project between two students. Both/all names should appear on
the front page/cover, and both students will receive the same grade.
Papers will be returned May 21. Prof. Rosenstand may not comment extensively on this final essay due to the short
turnaround time. If you want extensive comments, submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your essay.
Option 1 A Sense of Self (Chapter 7/Salmon Reader)
 Describe three different theories of the sense of self. One of the three theories should be Damasio’s
(in Self Comes to Mind). Which one of the three do you find to be the better theory? Explain.
 In the film Memento, does Leonard have a sense of self? Explain Leonard’s problem in light of the
three selected theories of self.
(Notes from Prof. Ananda Spike’s April 17 lecture may serve as one of the mandatory outside
sources, but the notes have to be copied and submitted with your essay.)
Option 2: The Meaning of Life (Chapter 8)
Explore the question of the meaning of life and/or life after death, referring to at least three theories in
Chapter 8. In addition, your paper may refer to the film What Dreams May Come (Narrative, Chapter 8),
or another film dealing with the subject of life after death (such as Afterlife). (Feel free to speculate!
Anything goes.)
Option 3: Nietzsche’s Theory of the Eternal Return (Chapter 8)
[Be aware that we may not have discussed this topic before the due date of the paper. Only students with a
special interest in Nietzsche should choose this topic.]


Explore Nietzsche’s philosophy of the Eternal Return of the Same. What is his point? Do you
agree? Explain.
Does Nietzsche have something to say to 21st century people? Why or why not?
PLAGIARISM POLICY:
What is plagiarism in a research paper? Copying from someone else’s paper; having someone else write your paper; copying/quoting
from an outside source (such as a book, a journal, or a webpage/other Internet source), or from the textbook, without stating the source.
Changing a word here and there is not sufficient! Whenever you quote or use information from a text other than your own, the proper
procedure is to reference it. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and will be reported according to SDCCD policy.