Topic:
How does Machiavelli's work The Prince compare
with the political views that we have previously encountered?
How does his approach to politics differ
from these? What
kinds of assumptions does he make about human nature and the
world (and, is he right), and how does he reconceive the ancient
and
medieval relation between politics and ethics? How
would philosophers like Plato, Aristotle,
and Augustine respond to
Machiavelli, and how might he defend himself against their
criticisms in turn?
Does he reject their views entirely, and they his, or do they
differ only in some respects or degree? It is possible to
avoid Machiavelli's conclusions about politics?
(Consider your own response, and how you might argue for
or against him.) That is, is Machiavelli's political
realism unavoidable, and is political morality possible?
Be sure to make explicit use of both Machiavelli's text and Abramson's
discussion, using citations and quotations from each source. When you
insert a quotation, be sure to explain it and put it into context,
and don't simply let it do the work for you. Remember, too, that
you
can quote passages that you disagree with, not only ones that support
your views.
Assuming that you've read all the materials carefully and have been to
class, begin by reviewing your notes and the readings with the
assignment prompt in mind, marking passages that may be useful to
cite or quote in your paper. Then, brainstorm and jot down
different ideas and approaches that you might take. Next,
organize your thoughts into some kind of structure and
order (what depends on or follows what, and why). Write an
initial introductory paragraph setting out your approach,
including the order in which you will address the topics selected,
and then begin
writing. The most important thing is for you to find some kind of
central idea or starting point (i.e., know what you want to say).
Once you have this you can
develop it in the context of other ideas, filling in your basic scheme
and creating a
coherent structure. Every paper will be different in this way,
even though all of them should reflect a knowledge of the
thinkers covered, especially Machiavelli.
Write each section or paragraph separately, and don't move on until you
are fairly satisfied that you have explained yourself well.
When you do
turn to the next paragraph, be sure you know why; that is, be ready to
explain why the next topic "follows" or comes up in your sequence
or development. At the end of the paper, write a conclusion that
both summarizes your main points and suggests further
discussion
topics that you've not been able to address in the paper. After
this, go back and redo the introduction based on what you've actually
done in the paper.
Write at least two drafts of the paper, leaving a day or two
in
between so that you can get some distance toward your work
and approach it more critically. (You'll be surprised if you've
never done this.) Then revise as needed, making your ideas
more clear, your arguments stronger, and your expressions
better. At the very end, do a spelling and grammar check, and read
through the paper from beginning to end, making sure that it
is your best
work. Throughout the process, remember that good writing is
difficult and takes both time and practice.
Also
consult the "Paper Writing Advice" and "Style Sheet" documents in
Blackboard, under Assignments.