Overview
PART I
1. Identify the article that you have chosen (the one you selected in Research 4) to further examine: author, title, publication source, pages.
2. Read and analyze that article (not just the abstract): Identify the principal stages of the author’s presentation. There are likely to be two major phases in the article that will need examination and explanation:
First 250 to 300 words: A philosophical issue or problem will be stated which warrants treatment. Explain that issue and why the issue needs treatment (the author’s reason). Some example considerations why the author undertook the study: (a) an established thesis of an earlier writer or school of thought with which the author disagrees (or is just interested in examining further) (b) an inadequacy in a concept or theory which is shown to be in need of a new formulation (c) a debate, a confusion, a vagary of some theory or idea already prominent in the field that the author believes is in need of examination and/or clarification. (d) perhaps the author says right out "the purpose of this study is to etc..." or words to that effect This first part, then, is the author's set up, the rationale for the article.
Second The author’s argument, resolution, or thesis (250 to 300 words): For example: (a) Argument: the author(s) may be offering an argument such that they may even say “we shall argue that…”. (b) Interpretations are also arguments . A philosophical treatment may offer a new interpretation or it may critically examine an already given interpretation. (c) Prescription: the author(s) may argue for, or lay out a proposal for, a new concept—or again, a criticism of a given prescription
PART II Your Assessment. 300 words: What makes this article a philosophical article in general and also for the area in the philosophy of X? Three specific questions here.
a. What significance does it have for the “X” area in the philosophy of X? b. How does a specialized inquiry/argument of this sort reveal the nature of philosophy? c. In what ways is philosophy of this sort (done by the author of the article) different from the “popular” notion of philosophy as being a personal belief system?