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The Assignment

The assignment is to present a 2500 word study.

Write an essay responding to the invitation:

We are enjoined by Thales, amongst others, to 'know thyself'.

Give and assess arguments for the claim that 'self-knowledge' is helpful and explain how you think it is best got.

Reading

You should draw on some reading/research to strengthen and develop the argumention that comes straight out of your head. There are some suggestions on the 'Self-Knowledge' webpage and the webpage itself is basic background you might want to draw on. But, basically, I want you to find suitable reading, because doing so calls for an absolutely key skill which you should be developing. Just one, or two, articles or chapters or webpages would be enough, if they were well chosen and put to good use.

List of reading drawn on

At the end of your study you should have a note of what you have drawn on. Use whatever convention you prefer for giving the publication details, but stick to it. Colleague Warwick Fox has drawn up some notes to help.

And then a special requirement:

To each entry please add a note saying why you think this item is worth taking this seriously. (There's lots of poorly argued / unargued stuff out there and you need to develop your skill in spotting them!)

You will get credit for correctly identifying and drawing on relevant reading. You should try and find one or two books or chapters or webpages which you think are good pieces of philosophy and help your analysis forward.

Deadline

Keep to the deadline you have been given.

Word limit

2,500 Words

How to hand in your assignment

Coursework essays are submitted electronically. You should send your work in the form of an email attachment (Microsoft Word file or text file only please) to: philosophyhandin@uclan.ac.uk

You have to include the module title, module code (and assignment number for modules with more than one assignment) in the TITLE of your email.

- and also you have attach a completed electronic copy of the philosophy assignment cover sheet (available from the module web page) to your email.

- If you have obtained an extension to your hand-in deadline you should also attach a copy of the extension form, agreeing the extension.

You will receive an automatic reply acknowledgement by return to say that your mail has been received. This will be followed up by an email confirmation of receipt a couple of working days later. If you don't receive this within 2-3 working days, please contact the office (Harrington 122, Tel. 01772 892780) to check that your work has been received.

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