Hello! 🙂 This argumentative essay can ONLY be written with the text book, “The Great Conversation, 8th
Edition by Norman Melchert, from Oxford University Press.” Do not use outside resources. If you need the
book or have any questions PLEASE let me know because I had a lot of issues with a previous person on
here.
(Essay on Descartes and Hobbes)
Contrast Descartes’ view of the mind with that of Hobbes. Include a discussion of thinking, imagining,
dreaming, and willing. Do not neglect any arguments offered by these philosophers on behalf of their beliefs.
Which of these views is correct?
-Spelling and grammar are important, Properly identify your sources and quotes. Focus on the specific
chapters Descartes and Hobbes are on ( Also please include page numbers so i’m able to search up the info
myself on my book!) 2 quotations are needed from the textbook for this essay. EXAMPLE: cite with page
number, “blah blah” (p.17). For an excerpt, cite with excerpt author’s name and page number: “Socrates rules!”
(Plato, p. 58)
Support your answer with good reasons and use relevant terminology correctly–show me you know what you
are talking about! Make a good argument!
(Use this Basic Essay Structure)
First -Introduction: Be succinct (no more than one paragraph), but include the following
1.Thesis Statement- one sentence underlined (the claim to be supported)
2.Plan for the paper-no more than one sentence, NOT required
Second- Argument supporting the thesis: this is where you provide reasons and explanations that support your
thesis (i.e., this is where you develop your premises)
Third- Assessment of objections: This is where you address objections and counterarguments to the argument
you are making in the essay.
Last- Conclusion: Here is where you summarize your argument.
-Follow the guidelines in the appendix and the rubric. The particular answer is entirely up to you. You will be
graded on (1)how well you demonstrate an understanding of the relevant philosophical concepts, (2)how well
you reason, and (3)how well you write.
(( Basically Descartes believed that the mind was a different realm than the body and Hobbes believed that all
thoughts came from experience. Include monism, dualism, and materialist)
Sample Solution
